Candle buying has shifted from "what smells nice" to "how do I want to feel" — and the fragrance notes you pick actually matter for that. Lavender and chamomile are the most consistently backed-up scents for winding down in the evening; citrus notes like bergamot and grapefruit tend to feel energising rather than relaxing, which makes them a better match for a home office than a bedroom. For focus, look for cleaner, greener notes — rosemary, mint, or a simple "fresh linen" blend — rather than heavy, sweet gourmand scents, which can be distracting in the background. None of this is a substitute for good sleep habits, but a consistent scent cue, lit at the same time each evening, can help signal to your brain that it's time to slow down.