Improve Your Mental Health with Candles
Do you love the smell of our natural soy wax candles? The way the soft glow of their flame dances shadows on the wall, sparkling glitter flows in slow motion, and your favorite home fragrance fills the room? Science supports that love.
The average person spends $500 on candles in their lifetime and many people even burn several at one time (you know who you are). Buying candles might feel like a luxury, but science says scented candles are actually a really great tool for your mental health!
What if I told you that research studies have provided measurable evidence that lighting a candle reduces stress levels? This is the science behind it.
Candlelight Literally Relaxes Your Brain
One study found that participants who were stressed before lighting a scented candle had significantly lower heart rates after twenty minutes than those who weren't stressed. Sounds a little too good to be true, right? Here's why it works.
You may have heard about 'Blue Light 'or 'High Intensity Light' and that it isn't good for you. There are companies that even make special glasses you can wear to protect your eyes from it We are most often exposed to this kind of light through electronic devices - our computers, tablets, televisions, and - yes, I know you don't want to hear this - our cellphones.
Ok, but how does that affect our mood?
Candlelight Improves your Mood
High Intensity Light puts our brain in a stimulated or aroused state, generating beta waves. This can increase anxiety levels and prevents us from relaxing. This is part of the reason experts recommend limiting screen time and staying away from electronic devices before bed.
Conversely, lighting one of your favorite scented candles and enjoying its glow shifts your brain over into a relaxed state. This happens because candlelight is a 'Low Intensity' light. Exposure to this kind of light causes our brain to generate alpha waves which occur when you are in a relaxed, reflective, or meditative state.
Brain waves are cool, give it a Google.
Psychological Wellbeing Can Be Improved With Scented Candles
This one doesn't come as too much of a surprise, right? We have heard a little or a lot about aromatherapy and basically get the gist of it - scented oils can improve various aspects of our mood and physical wellbeing.
There have been a lot of studies on this, Keville & Green (2009) dealing specifically with scented candles and mental health improvement. This one compared lemon and lavender oils with water if you're interested on giving it a read:
In addition to direct effects on mood and physical alertness/relaxation that scented oils have demonstrated, they also help to improve mood through their link to memory and emotions. This is achieved through dopamine and serotonin production when confronted with pleasurable memories and experiences.
Scented Candles Can Indirectly Improve Immune Response
This one might feel like a stretch but it's not! Let's break it down:
- Candlelight generates alpha brain waves, inducing relaxation and reducing anxiety
- Scented oils improve mood, promote relaxation, and can increase energy
- When the body is in a relaxed state, it is easier to fall and stay asleep
- More sleep leads to improved mental wellbeing, more energy, and improved immune response
TLDR: relaxation --> better mood --> better sleep --> stronger immunity
We all need a little something to help us relax and de-stress, which is why scented candles are the perfect addition to your self-care routine. Not only do they smell great, they also benefit your physical and mental wellbeing in many ways. They promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, help us get more sleep, and our body naturally becomes more able to fight off illness as a result of all that.
So next time you're looking for some new decor or want to invest in yourself with an indulgent purchase - try adding one of these beauties into your cart instead. Let us know how your favorite candles help you relax!