Eating healthy is not the only way to keep stress levels down. Aromatherapy — the use of essential oils to alter moods, thinking, and health — is another great way to de-stress. (Bonus: You’ll also smell really good.)

Cary Caster, clinically certified aromatherapist and founder of 21 Drops, an essential oils line, explained just how powerful scents are. “We’re chemical beings, so our body recognizes and responds to the molecules in essential oils. They have the power to calm, invigorate, or uplift us.” And Caster knows about school-related stress: With three kids in college, she says they (and even their roommates) use essential oils throughout the day.

As for application, Caster says you can rub the oils on your skin or just smell the scent directly from the bottle.

Next: What scents to look for