Embrace Fall: How Aromas and Nature Support Mood, Memory, and Journaling

Person sitting on the forest floor journaling for a Bound to Journal blog post titled, "Embrace Fall: How Aromas and Nature Support Mood, Memory, and Journaling."

As the season shifts from summer’s warmth to fall’s crisp, colorful landscape, nature offers more than visual beauty — it also provides powerful tools for emotional well-being.

The scents of cinnamon, cedarwood, and cloves evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia, while outdoor walks among vibrant leaves boost mood and mental clarity. Combining seasonal aromas with nature immersion creates a sensory experience that helps you relax, reflect, and deepen your journaling practice.

The Science of Scents, Nature, and Mood

Our sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system — the brain’s emotional center (Herz & Schooler, 2002). That’s why fall scents like pumpkin spice or fallen leaves can trigger vivid memories or feelings of warmth. Scientific research confirms that olfactory cues can retrieve emotionally charged memories and reduce stress (Herz, 2004).

Similarly, exposure to nature—such as walking in a colorful forest—can lower cortisol, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mood (Berman et al., 2008). When you pair these natural stimuli with mindful journaling, the benefits multiply, supporting mental clarity, emotional resilience, and creativity.

A green foliage background, a white diffuser sitting on a wood plank, and both white and orange blossoms surround it for a Bound to Journal blog post titled, "Embrace Fall: How Aromas and Nature Support Mood, Memory, and Journaling."

Use Fall Aromas and Nature to Enrich Your Journaling

Autumn’s sights, scents, and sounds are ideal for grounding your mindfulness. Diffusing essential oils like cinnamon, cedarwood, or evergreen tree oils create a cozy atmosphere that supports emotional balance (Moss et al., 2010). Going outdoors—collecting leaves, observing the changing landscape—can inspire visual journaling through sketches or collages, helping you process feelings and memories.

Incorporate sensory prompts: write about scents that evoke fall memories or create visual art inspired by the season. Use your journal as a creative sanctuary—enhanced with the aromas and sights of autumn—to foster gratitude, reflection, and emotional well-being.

A wet, black stone sits on a green leaf with the word "Wellbeing" written on it for a Bound to Journal blog post titled "Embrace Fall: How Aromas and Nature Support Mood, Memory, and Journaling."

Simple Ways to Deepen Your Fall Self-Care

Diffuse seasonal essential oils like Cinnamon Bark, cedarwood, or one of the evergreen tree oils to create a cozy, inviting environment that encourages reflection and support emotional balance.
Spend time outdoors observing the vibrant fall scenery—collect leaves, listen to the wind, or breathe in the cool air. Use this as inspiration for your visual journaling—sketching, collaging, or capturing textures.
Incorporate sensory prompts into your journal practice: write about scents that evoke memories, or sketch scenes from your nature walks. Use images and textures to access deeper feelings and insights.
Create a dedicated fall self-care space—a cozy corner with soft lighting, a blanket, and calming aromas—where you can relax and engage in mindful journaling.
Combine your journaling with aromatherapy—add a few drops of essential oils to your diffuser, apply oils to your body, or even add Young Living's vitality essential oils to your favorite warm beverage to deepen sensory engagement.

Three bottles of Young Living essential oil, two spray bottles, two roller balls, a pry tool sit on a white table with lemons and greenery behind them for a Bound to Journal blog post titled "Embrace Fall: How Aromas and Nature Support Mood, Memory, and Journaling."

Join Us for Seasonal Inspiration

Explore our upcoming classes and resources to deepen your mindfulness, visual journaling, and seasonal self-care practices. Follow us on social media for tips, inspiration, and updates. Let this season be one of renewal—enriching your inner landscape with the scents and beauty of fall, and living intentionally.