by Marisa Wright

Created on: November 22, 2007

When you're moving house, choosing a perfume is the last thing on your mind. Your morning routine consists of ducking under the shower, catching your hair up in a clip and throwing on some old clothes. Who needs perfume when you're about to get dirty, cleaning and packing boxes?

Well, actually, you do. But I'm not talking perfume from a department store with a picture of Britney or Mariah on it. Forget Estee Lauder or Donna Karan! Instead, head to your local health food store for some fragrances that can make a positive difference to your moving experience.

Most of us have heard of aromatherapy massage. You may even have had one. What many people don't realise is that, while the oils do some good on your skin, it's the aromas you breathe in that do the most good. That's why it's called aromatherapy!

The perfume of essential oils can ease stress, calm anxiety, clear your mind and sharpen your thinking - so at a stressful time (like moving house), when you have to handle multiple tasks (like moving house), what could be more useful than the right aromatherapy perfume?

The ideal solution is to see your local aromatherapist and ask her to make up a perfume just for you. She can take into account your individual reaction to the move, and include exactly the right oils to address them. Of course, this won't come cheap - but chances are it won't be as expensive as a Chanel or a Calvin Klein. It will last, too - true essential oils are very concentrated and have staying power, so you only need a few drops.

If you don't have a local therapist - or don't want to spend the money - your health food store is the next stop. They will often have ready-made aromatherapy blends for various purposes - choose a stress-relief blend. You don't want a "relaxation" blend, because that could make you too laid-back!

If there are no blends, look for individual oils. A good store should label each oil not just with its name, but with its qualities. If you choose oils that have the qualities you need AND that you like, you're more likely to use them.

Lavender is one of the best oils for calming anxiety, but most of us associate its perfume with little old ladies - so you may not want to wear it as a scent. However, dab a small amount on your temples and it's both calming and great for relieving and preventing headaches, and the scent isn't overbearing. If you can find a Migrastick (a small applicator containing peppermint and lavender), even better.

You can also put a few drops of lavender on your pillow before you go to bed, for a restful sleep (though I always find I sleep like a log at moving time, because I'm dog-tired!).

Basil is marvellous for clearing and focussing the mind, to help you keep track of the myriad different things you have to do during the move. But if you decide to buy it, be VERY sparing or you will have people asking why they can smell Italian food! Not so effective - but smelling much nicer! - any citrus scent is refreshing and stimulating. Mint, too. Bergamot is also a stimulant, but be careful as it's not recommended for people with some medical conditions.

Let your nose be your guide. Some aromatherapists believe that our senses know best, and that if you are particularly drawn to a scent in the shop, it's not just a personal preference - it's because your brain knows what you need at that point in time. So if one particular oil smells divine, perhaps there's a reason!

So you see, wearing the right scent can make a big difference to your state of mind, which can make a big difference to how smoothly your move goes. Good luck!

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