Those words have been our mantra for the past six months and likely will stick with us through the new year. While most people have some method for achieving a level of tranquility, we rely on our olfactory sense. Certain aromas make us feel good: fresh coffee, roasted cumin, just-cut grass and burning wood. We’ve also stocked up on our favorite candles and diffusers, and we’ve become a fan of incense again. Once a month, we smudge our house by burning a stick of palo santo, enjoying the wafting of its bold scent, sweet with hints of citrus and herbs. Fragrant even before it is lighted, this “holy wood” from South America is rooted in sacred ceremonies. Some deride its trendiness, but we’ve created our own cleansing ritual (one that’s personal and will never show up on Instagram). We also make sure we source products from ethical producers, as palo santo’s popularity has led to overharvesting. Love the aroma but not the smoke? There are candles and diffusers available that typically use a blend of essential oils to evoke the scent of the real thing. Here are a few of our favorites. 

Above: Pickwick & Co. layers notes of cypress, sandalwood and mint, along with eucalyptus and sweetgrass. $25, Wrare