If you’ve felt it lately… you’re not imagining it.
Tension. Overwhelm. Strong emotions. Fear. Confusion. Anger. Disagreement. A nervous system that feels like it’s stuck in “on.”
Here in Minnesota (and honestly everywhere right now), it can feel like people are carrying more than they know what to do with — and when the body is under chronic stress, it shows up in everything: sleep, patience, digestion, focus, mood, and even the way we speak to one another.
This is exactly why I want to talk about something simple — but genuinely powerful:
Aroma.
I hold training and a diploma in Aromapsychology, and I’m a Registered Aromatherapist, which means I’ve studied how scent impacts the brain, mood, and nervous system. The goal isn’t to ignore what’s happening in the world — it’s to help us regulate enough to respond with clarity, instead of reacting from overwhelm.
Aromatherapy is not a replacement for professional medical or mental health care — but it is a supportive tool that can help create small moments of relief, steadiness, and emotional reset.
And right now, those small moments matter.
Not to bypass hard feelings — but to help us regulate enough to move through them.
Why scent works so quickly
Your sense of smell is directly connected to parts of your brain involved in emotion, memory, and stress response. That’s why a scent can instantly shift how you feel — sometimes before you even understand why.
Aromatherapy works on two levels at once:
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Physiological support (breath deepens, body relaxes, stress response downshifts)
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Psychological support (mood softens, thoughts slow, nervous system steadies)
Not because it’s magic — because your body is wired for it.
The truth about hard seasons
Here’s something I’ve been reminding myself lately — and maybe you need to hear it too:
Just because something feels like it’s going to be like this forever… doesn’t mean it has been, and it doesn’t mean it will be.
When we’re stressed or emotionally flooded, the nervous system narrows our perception. We can’t think clearly. We forget what helps. The brain tells us the moment we’re in is permanent.
It’s not weakness. It’s biology.
Which is exactly why we need tools.
Create a “Call-Back List”
One of the most powerful things you can do is create a physical list of things that bring you back to yourself — because when you’re in the dark, you can’t always remember the light.
I call this a Call-Back List.
Write down the things that shift you, even a little. Keep it in a special drawer, on your fridge, or inside a journal.
And here’s the best part:
Share it with your partner or someone you trust.
Because sometimes we can’t remember in the moment. Sometimes we need someone to say:
“Hey… remember? That bath helped last time.”
“Hey… go hug the dog.”
“Hey… let’s take a short walk.”
“Hey… grab your roll-on. Let’s reset.”
Here are examples of Call-Back List tools:
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Hugging the dog for 30 seconds
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Taking the dog for a walk (even a short one)
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Drinking water
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Eating something real
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Cooking a meal for your family (or ordering one without guilt)
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Taking a bath or hot shower
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Going to bed early
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Watching a funny movie
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Reading a comforting book
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Stepping outside and breathing fresh air for 60 seconds
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Diffusing essential oils for 20 minutes
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Using a spray or roll-on to reset your mood and space
This isn’t about pretending everything is okay.
This is about remembering:
You have tools. You are not stuck.
Aromatherapy tools for emotional overwhelm
Below are a few of my favorite supports when emotions are high and the nervous system feels ramped up.
Sweetgrass Spray
Sweetgrass has long been used for cleansing, blessing, and comfort. It’s gentle, grounding, and emotionally supportive.
Use it when:
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the house feels heavy
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you need an energetic reset
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you want to soften the mood
How to use:
Mist your space, your self, your car, your coat, or your bedding.
White Sage Spray
A beautiful alternative to smoke cleansing — especially for homes and workplaces where flames or smoke aren’t ideal.
Use it when:
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you want to clear a space
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you’re preparing for hard conversations
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you need to “reset” the energy without smoke
How to use:
Mist corners of rooms, entryways, or around your body.
Energy Vampire Roll-On
For people who absorb stress, tension, or other people’s emotions — this is one of the most powerful tools to create a reset and reclaim your space.
How to use:
Roll on wrists + neck before work, meetings, or social settings.
Use after difficult interactions as a “reset.”
Period Relief Roll-On
Stress plus hormones can feel like too much. This blend supports the body and nervous system through those harder days.
How to use:
Roll on wrists, temples, and lower abdomen.
Start 1–2 days before your cycle and use as needed.
Diffusing: the fastest way to shift a room
Diffusing can change the tone of a space.
If you have a home that feels tense — or an office, waiting room, or shared space — this is one of the quickest ways to create calm.
My favorite blends to rotate:
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Night Blossom
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Sacred Incense
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Northern Lights
- Zen (Anxiety Relief) / Vanilla Zen (Anxiety Relief II)
Simple method:
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3 drops total
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diffuse 20–30 minutes
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2–3 times/day
(Intermittent diffusion is best — you don’t need it running all day.)
Tip: If you’re diffusing around kids or pets, use fewer drops and shorter sessions.
Romance: for winter darkness + seasonal heaviness
If you’re someone who is deeply affected by winter darkness, gray skies, and lack of sun — I want to mention a blend I love:
Romance
And I want to say this clearly:
Romance is simply the name.
It isn’t only about couples or "date night."
It’s about the chemistry and healing support inside — oils that tend to help lift mood, soften heaviness, and reconnect you with warmth when winter feels emotionally long.
How to use Romance:
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Diffuse 3 drops for 20 minutes, 2–3x/day
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Roll on wrists, heart center, and back of neck
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Take 3 slow breaths after applying
Think of it as a gentle emotional lantern in a season that can feel darker.
Where to start (if you’re overwhelmed)
If everything feels like too much, keep it simple.
Choose:
✅ one spray
✅ one roll-on
✅ one diffuser oil
Consistency matters more than quantity.
And if you’re not sure what to choose — reach out.
If you need help, I’m here
If you’re not sure where to start, I want you to know you’re not alone.
I’m a qualified, educated, registered aromatherapist, and I care deeply about supporting people who don’t just want to talk about stress — but want to create real resolution by using tools that help regulate the body, mind, and spirit.
Aromatherapy is one part of a bigger wellness toolkit, and I’m always happy to help you find what fits you best.
💛 Message me through my website and I’ll help you build a simple plan.
If things feel too dark
If you or someone you love is struggling and it feels like too much, please reach out for help.
In the U.S. you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for free, confidential support, 24/7.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
You matter. You are not alone. And there is help.
