When we’re mingling we’re often cooking and eating. How do the food smells we’re likely to encounter influence our time with others? Scents that make us feel nostalgic improve our mood, whether those scents are from food or something else. They also boost our self-esteem, optimism, and social connections to others. Sweet orange, that’s the scent of the fruit that we normally eat, reduces anxiety levels. So does the smell of vanilla. The scents of lemon and mango are relaxing.…