There’s something powerful about scent. It has an ability to transport you to another time, calm your nerves, or even boost your energy. As a mom of two kids who navigate anxiety daily, I’m always looking for simple, natural tools to help ease our days.

I’ve always been aware of the benefits of aromatherapy and will often utilize Lavender oil at bedtime or as part of their sensory bins, as mentioned in a previous blog. But, it had been awhile since I had rollers in the house. I thought it was about time to order more.

Let’s start with peppermint. This was my go-to when I worked in office environments and would get headaches. My co-workers and I would always roll peppermint oil across our foreheads for some relief. At least the office smelled nice, right?

Peppermint was one of two rollers I ordered for the household. A quick roll on the wrists or a gentle inhale before tackling the day can help ease tensions and provide a positive pick-me-up.

Lavender was the other oil I ordered, since we were already fans. The rollers and the weighted blankets, as discussed in a previous blog, arrived on the same day. My 10 year old was on the couch watching football. I put the blanket over him and rolled some lavender on his wrists. Immediately he said “is this the best day of my life?” Clearly it’s a hit.

Anxiety can sneak up on my kids (and, let’s be honest, me too), especially right before bed. Lavender has been our go-to for these moments.

I have noticed that my 7 year old prefers the Peppermint and the 10 year old, the Lavender. But at bedtime, Lavender seems to win overall. They find the scents relaxing and are able to ask for the rollers now.

So why does something as simple as scent work so well? Certain scents can trigger the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions, memory, and even heart rate. Peppermint is known to stimulate and invigorate, while lavender is widely celebrated for its calming and relaxing properties. For us, it’s less about the science and more about the results we’re seeing—and smelling.

If you’re thinking about giving this a try, here are a few tips:

• Start Small: Some kids (and adults) can be sensitive to scents. Test a tiny amount first.
• Involve Them: Let your kids choose which scent they’d like to use. Giving them agency makes it more exciting.
• Create Rituals: Make the use of oils part of your routine, whether it’s a morning pick-me-up or a bedtime wind-down.
• Keep It Accessible: Having the rollers within reach makes it easy to incorporate them into your day.

Sometimes, it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference. Adding these essential oil rollers to our lives hasn’t solved all our challenges, but it has given us another tool to navigate them with a little more ease. And you know how I am about having tools!

So, if you’ve been curious about the power of scent, I’d encourage you to give it a try. You might just find that a little peppermint and lavender are exactly what your family needs too. You can check out the rollers I ordered under the Essential header over on the These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things page.