5 Summer Scents That Are Also Totally Good For You

5 Summer Scents That Are Also Totally Good For You

With the Polar Vortex officially behind us (thank goodness), the time has finally come for the warmer, brighter weather we've been craving. And whether you're most excited for the beach trips or the delicious food, there's one thing that many summer favorites all share in common: Their aromas can benefit our well-being.

In case you need even more reasons to celebrate tomorrow being the first official day of summer, take a look at some of the warm-weather scents below that do wonders for our emotional health. Then, as you indulge in the scents of the season, relish the fact that we're now swapping snow jackets and scarves for bathing suits and shorts -- after all, we've earned it.

Citrus

citrus

We all have those long days where it feels like we have no energy by 3 p.m. -- but instead of indulging in that caffeine habit, maybe all we need is a little whiff of citrus. Not only do these summery fruits contain immunity-boosting vitamin C, their scents can revitalize you and ease fatigue.

Salt Water

beach shore

Not only is the scent and sound of the shore inarguably relaxing, the beach also provides some serious health benefits. The salt water can help decrease inflammation and the magnesium in the water helps maintain a healthy nervous system. The ocean also contains several anti-aging minerals.

Coconut

coconut

The aroma of coconut is in everything from drinks to sunscreen come summertime. But the scent isn't just symbolic -- according to some aromatherapy experts, coconut can also have a positive influence on your mood.

Gardenia

gardenia

For those who grew up in the south, nothing smells like summer quite like the fragrant aroma of a gardenia. Research shows that our olfactory response triggers clear memories and has a direct link to the emotional center of our brain -- and as Southern Living magazine points out, this bloom's scent can "settle like a memory on your soul."

Rain

rain

That afternoon storm doesn't just refresh the atmosphere after a hot summer day -- its aroma is also one of the most appealing. Research shows humans relish the scent of the rain due to its natural association with the color green and the associated expectation of growth of food, Smithsonian magazine reported. In other words, we're biologically wired to feel fulfilled by its fragrance -- so we may as well enjoy those rainy summer days!

This GPS Guide is part of a series of posts designed to bring you back to balance when you're feeling off course.

GPS Guides are our way of showing you what has relieved others' stress in the hopes that you will be able to identify solutions that work for you. We all have de-stressing "secret weapons" that we pull out in times of tension or anxiety, whether they be photos that relax us or make us smile, songs that bring us back to our heart, quotes or poems that create a feeling of harmony or meditative exercises that help us find a sense of silence and calm. We encourage you to visit our other GPS Guides here, and share with us your own personal tips for finding peace, balance and tranquility.

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