Winter has arrived and many of us are hunkered down inside next to a fire and Netflix.

As such, pine is a wonderful scent to incorporate into the season. Its festive aroma stimulates the senses as well as the circulation. It helps stave off sleepiness and fatigue. Perfect for these dark days of Winter that can seem to go on with no end.

Recent studies suggest that you may want to keep the scent of pine going throughout the year. Coniferous scents are said to encourage self-confidence, patience, and positivity. They can help you stay focused and on task, no matter the challenge.

More than just a mood booster, researchers in Japan and the US have found a significant increase in anti-cancer proteins and white blood cell counts that attack and kill viruses and tumors in human participants. There were also decreased levels of stress hormones.

In other studies, 84 percent of the participants strongly agreed that essential oils contributed to a more positive work environment.

**Bringing The Scent Of Evergreens Indoors:**

While Christmas trees are here currently, in January you can also bring clippings inside and incorporate them into floral arrangements.

Other choices include essentials oils – droplets in a diffuser make a great accent. You can also add a drop or two to lotion (make sure that you’re not allergic first).

There are a myriad of good clean burning candles made with essential oils.

Reed diffusers offer hours of low maintenance scent.

For a quick sensory infusion, add a few drops of pine essential oil to a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel, and gently inhale the steam through your nose and mouth.

Popular evergreen blends:

-Pine is described as crisp, spicy, and invigorating.

-Cypress is often described as smokey citrus with mint and sage.

-Cedar and Juniper are often thought to be spicy and sweet.

-Balsam Fir is often thought to be syrupy and intoxicating.

**Getting Outside Into The Pines:**

You may have heard of Forest Therapy or Forest Bathing. It’s also known as shinrin-yoku. This is a practice that involves taking a slow walk in a deep forest filled with conifers and evergreens. Successful sessions involve slowing down, getting quiet, inhaling peace, exhaling chatter, and chilling out. By moving thoughtfully and intentionally breathing in the scent, Forest Bathers “soak up” the healing powers of pine. It’s important to stimulate the 5 senses through this practice. Forest Therapy originated in Japan, and is slowly growing into a global movement.

Multiple studies conducted by wide ranging institutions suggest that as few as 10 minutes a day among the trees can help people feel happier, and lessens the effects of stress.