Essential oils smell lovely, but can they make us happier? Apparently, yes.
We checked in with Barbara Nosal, Ph.D., chief clinical officer at Newport Academy, who told us that she recommends essential oils as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (a type of depression that’s triggered by the change in seasons that, per the American Psychiatric Association, affects roughly 5 percent of U.S. adults).
Whether you roll a skin-safe blend onto your wrists or diffuse them with water vapors, essential oils can be a powerful tool for perking up. Not sure which to use? Different oils can be used for different things. Dr. Nosal says that citrusy oils are energizing, while scents like lavender are calming and soothing.
Even if you don’t have SAD, essential oils are a lovely way to relax and make your home feel a little more like a spa.
