Most people love the smell of oranges and lemons—unless you’re a housekeeper who uses Lemon Pledge every day.
Seriously, studies show that the smell of lemons can elevate your mood significantly, so why not sip lemonade. No, not the oversweetened kind you buy at the store. Make your own light version. The July ’12 Prevention suggests “squeezing a lemon into a glass of water and sweetening it just a little with antioxidant-rich honey…. Inhale deeply while you enjoy.”
Oh, and if you sip it outside, you may get even better mood-elevating benefits. That same issue contains a small article on eating outside: “Spending as little as five minutes in the fresh air lifts your spirits, boosts your self-esteem and short-circuits stress.” So say British researchers from the University of Essex.
If you work inside, take your lunch outside. It will make a big difference—and don’t forget your light lemonade.
—Becky Holman
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