6 Health Benefits for Burning Candles
Candles are much more than fragrant decor, they have mental health benefits. According to researchers candles scent plays an important role in the physiological effects of our mood, stress and life.
By introducing scents and notes into our space, we invite positive energy in our minds and environments.
As a sensory form of mental health therapy, here are a few reasons to keep burning candles:
1. Creates Ambiance
Candles transform an environment through scent, changing the way we feel in the space. Lighting a candle to focus, meditate, relax in a bath or in a religious ceremony or any other intention is a beloved practice for setting an ambient environment.
Candles are known for their soothing, healing properties and are often used to create a peaceful ambiance in spa's. The sheer act of lighting a candle, its lovely flicker and the gentle glow it creates, helps ease and soothe the mind.
2. Promotes Restful Sleep
In the past candles were used to light the dark and in the 21st Century, candlelight are incredibly beneficial for maintaining natural sleep rhythms and putting us in a meditative state.
3. Reduce Stress and Anxiety
The light that comes from a candle is captured by your sight and sent straight to your brain for processing. The flame helps to soothe our soul & minds – reducing stress and anxiety and putting us in a meditative state.
The aromas have been proven to be useful for the treatment of depression and anxiety.
4. Improves Moods
Scented candles create calm and alleviate stress by lowering cortisol. Certain candles are crafted specifically to activate chemicals in the brain, like serotonin and dopamine, to support a positive mood.
Burning candles can be beneficial to your health, if you're fearful or anxious during candles alleviates or helps with those feelings and create clam and a sense of well-being.
5. Stimulates Memories
Scented candles can stimulate memories in the brain. The limbic system is the part of the brain that connects our memory and emotions. Our sense of smell is strongly tied with memory, so we often associate a specific scent with a moment or memory. My favourite is Cassis and Fig, it gives off such as sweet smell that gives me fond memories of my grandmothers house.
6. Relaxation
Burning candles can become a personal ritual to commit to reflection and relaxation especially when they are paired with other activities like gratitude journaling by candlelight.
It’s interesting to me that candles can help to reduce stress by soothing your mind. My husband has been very stressed for the past couple of weeks due to a board meeting at the end of this month that he has to prepare for. I think it would be fun to make him some candles to help him relax, so I’ll purchase a candle-making kit this week. https://www.amcsupplies.com.au/product/diffuser-base-oil
It’s interesting to know how burning a candle could lower our stress levels and improve our meditation sessions. Recently, my wife and I decided we’d like to start meditating, and we think it’d be beneficial for us to get a few candles to set up our meditation space, so we’ll be sure to add them to our shopping list. Thanks for the information on how candles and their aroma boost our mental health. https://theenchantedrealms.com/candles
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