January often brings a mix of emotions. After the sparkle of Christmas fades, many of us find ourselves settling into darker evenings, quieter routines and that familiar “January slump.” It’s a month known for its blues, its slow pace and its sense of reset, which is why so many people use this time to build new habits, gentle routines and small rituals that lift their wellbeing.

Whether it’s making your home feel calmer, introducing a slow-evening ritual or finding ways to bring more comfort into everyday moments, the start of the year is a perfect time to lean into simple, supportive practices. And one of the easiest ways to do this – yet most powerful – is to introduce fragrance.

Fragrance has a unique way of shifting our mood, grounding our thoughts and creating a sense of warmth and ease. Which is exactly what many of us crave during these colder, darker months.

Why Fragrance Has Such a Powerful Effect on Our Mood

Our sense of smell is directly linked to the parts of the brain responsible for emotion and memory. When we experience fragrance, the signal travels to the olfactory bulb, which connects straight to the amygdala (emotions) and the hippocampus (memory).

This is why a single fragrance can suddenly remind you of a place, a person or a moment from years ago and why fragrance can instantly make you feel calm, comforted, focused or energised.

Research also suggests that certain fragrances can influence neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which play a role in feelings of pleasure, motivation and emotional balance. In simple terms: fragrance doesn’t just smell beautiful – it can genuinely influence how we feel.

Fragrances That Are Often Linked to Emotional Wellbeing

Different fragrances can support different moods and the beauty of home fragrance is choosing what feels right for you in that moment. At Clive’s Candles, several fragrances naturally lend themselves to calm, comfort, focus and relaxation during the winter months.

Lavender & Geranium – Tranquil Moments

Lavender is widely known for its calming properties and is often linked to relaxation, better sleep and reduced feelings of anxiety. Paired with soft floral geranium, Tranquil Moments is a wonderful fragrance for winding down after a busy day. It’s ideal for moments of quiet self-care.

Vanilla, Sandalwood & Amber – Vanilla Dusk

Warm, comforting fragrances can be especially soothing in winter. Vanilla Dusk blends sweet vanilla with grounding sandalwood and rich amber, creating a cosy, enveloping fragrance that encourages rest and relaxation. It’s perfect for evenings on the sofa, winter nights and creating a sense of comfort at home.

Lime, Mandarin & Basil – Chef’s Kitchen

Bright, fresh citrus and herb-based fragrances are often associated with uplifted mood, clarity and energy. Chef’s Kitchen, with zesty lime, juicy mandarin and fresh basil, is ideal for daytime use, kitchens and home-working spaces. It’s a wonderful fragrance for boosting motivation and cutting through that heavy January sluggishness.

Five Gentle Ways to Use Fragrance to Support Your Wellbeing

1. Create a Calm Atmosphere at Home

Lighting a candle such as Tranquil Moments in the evening can help mark the transition from busy day to rest time. The simple act of creating a calm atmosphere with fragrance can be grounding in itself.

2. Build a Fragrance Routine

Using the same fragrance at the same time each day, perhaps Chef’s Kitchen for energy in the morning and Vanilla Dusk in the evening, helps build comforting rhythms during the winter months.

3. Bring Balance to Your Space

Fresh fragrances can lift a room, while warm fragrances soften it. Having different fragrance styles for different times of day helps balance both energy and relaxation.

4. Choose Fragrances Based on How You Want to Feel

If you need calm, reach for soft florals or warm vanilla-based fragrances.

If you need focus or freshness, citrus and herbal blends work beautifully.

If you need comfort, rich, warming fragrances are ideal.

5. Use Fragrance as Support, Not a Replacement

Fragrance can support mental wellbeing, but it shouldn’t replace professional care, rest, social connection or healthy routines. Think of fragrance as one small tool in a much bigger wellbeing picture.

Fragrance, Brain Waves & Relaxation

Studies into fragrance and the nervous system suggest that certain fragrances may influence brain waves associated with relaxation, creativity and alertness. Lavender, for example, has been linked with theta and alpha brain wave activity, which are associated with calm, creativity and reduced stress.

While this science is complex, the takeaway is simple: fragrance can play a role in helping your mind slow down.

A candlelit evening, a familiar fragrance drifting through the room, or a comforting aroma at the end of a long day can gently lift the weight a little.

At Clive’s Candles, everything we make is designed to help create warmth, calm and moments of peace at home. Especially in January, we believe those small moments matter more than ever.