If the cooking, gift-wrapping and entertaining have you feeling stressed, there are
a number of things you can do to lower the stress levels.

Things like–Meditate, pray, exercise, (yoga or a long walk) visit a loved one or
someone less fortunate or take in a scent.

Take in a scent?
Yes, it’s called “Aromatherapy” and using the scents associated with Christmas
can help lower your stress levels and help you in other ways.

The Christmas scents:
a) Cinnamon-
Often associated with a baked good or hot oatmeal, cinnamon can actually make
your family feel closer to one another. Fun fact, some stores use cinnamon scents
to make shoppers calmer, kinder and spend more time in the store, (i.e. spend more
money).
To create more calm- Boil a pot of water, toss in a 2 tsps. of cinnamon,
reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer. Do this an hour or 30 mins. before
guests arrive.
Another tip: You can allow the cinnamon water to cool completely, and then
place the water in small jars with lids, poke holes in the top of the lids
and then place them in a corner of the living room, bathroom or bedroom.
All-natural Air-Fresheners.

b) Vanilla-
Another scent that’s associated with baking, and if you’re feeling stressed out,
take in the scent of vanilla extract. Vanilla beans contain compounds (vanilloids)
that signal the brain to stop releasing stress hormone and stop the activity of
cytokines, the chemicals behind most pain and inflammation.
To lower stress levels- pour a little vanilla extract on a cotton-ball and inhale
deeply when stress levels increase. Or do like the cinnamon and simmer
some vanilla on top of the stove for 20 to 30 mins.

c) Rosemary-
Feeling less energetic and unhappy? Rosemary’s aroma contains a compound
(cineole) that revs blood flow to the brain. Plus, taking in the scent of rosemary
can help boost memory. Place a rosemary-scented candle or rosemary plant
in your teen’s room while they’re studying.
One last benefit: When preparing the Christmas roast, place a few sprigs of
rosemary on top, it helps protect against food-borne illnesses.
To boost energy levels and happiness- place a few rosemary shrubs around
the kitchen and living room.

d) Mint-
Need more motivation and pep this holiday season?
Inhale the scent of candy canes or mint leaves and you’ll invigorate yourself by
activating the area of the brain in charge of alertness.
Another benefit: It (mint) can help squash cravings, so if you find yourself powerless
around cookies or Lasagna, inhale the scent of mint.
To boost motivation and energy levels- simmer some mint leaves or candy canes
for 20 to 30 mins.
Important tip: Make sure you watch the water, do not let it boil out.

e) Pomanders-
Another scent to help you get your to-do Christmas list done is Pomander.
Place cloves in pomanders (or oranges) and give yourself a one-two punch
against low energy levels, bad moods and focus issues.
To get the benefits: Poke holes in a an orange or two and leave out on
the counter. Or slice up 2 or 3 oranges, place into a pot, add a 1/4 cup of
whole cloves, 3 cups of water and simmer for 20 to 30 mins.
Another helpful tip: Place a whole bowl of oranges on a table
in the living room or dining room, even looking at something orange is
enough to boost energy levels.

g) Garlic-
Not often thought of as a pleasant scent, but placing some garlic on buttered bread
baking in the oven or sauteeing a clove or two in oil or butter can help lower
tension in your home.
So, if a discussion on politics or sports gets out of hand, use this old garlic
trick to diffuse the heavily tense situation.

h) Poinsettia-
Although the poinsettia doesn’t give out a scent that can benefit you,
you can place a few around the places where they’ll absorb unpleasant
odors. Place a few in the kitchen, so they’ll absorb the odors from
the cooking of the “7 Fishes.”

Also go back and reread our post on The Benefits of A Christmas Tree.
Read the post on taking in the scent of pine needles to lower stress levels.

That’s It- Christmas scents to make you happier and healthier.

Sources:
* Academy of Aromatherapy Sciences
* Bryan Raudenbush, Ph. D. Researcher
* Boston University, Research Dept.
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One last reminder:
If you haven’t bought one Christmas present and you feel that time is running out,
don’t despair, click on the buy button at the top of this blog and look for the
E-Doc, The Procrastinator’s Guide To Buying Last-Minute Christmas Gifts For Less
Than $100. Also available at Amazon.com/in the kindle store, under the same title.