Many of us have been burning scented candles because of their soothing effect. Candles are a tradition in many cultures, not just as decoration but for various use. They are usually used to set the mood, create a nice ambiance, and relax. But are there real benefits to burning them?
It turns out that lighting a scented candle is more than just about a lovely smell. Here are some benefits of burning your favorite scented candles:
Adds Fragrance to Your Space
Lighting scented candles is a great way to subtly add a fragrance to your space while masking unpleasant smells. They are available in various fragrance types, from fruity to baked goods, from herbal and earthy to airy and clean, from masculine to floral and feminine, among others.
Adds Spark of Celebration and Romance
Candles are an excellent way to make an extra celebration special. They are great gifts to loved ones and even to yourself.
Boosts Your Focus
You may love having many candles around your desk for “decorative” purposes, but did you know it can increase your focus at work and help you become more productive? According to Apartment Therapy, certain scents can stimulate the mind. Scents such as cinnamon, lemon, mint, orange, and rosemary can invigorate your senses and give you that extra boost to stay on top of your work and off your phone.
Help Remember Positive Memories
Since our sense of smell and memory are closely linked, we can associate a particular scent with a specific moment or happen in our lives.
For example, the scent of a pencil reminds us of our pre-school days. Or how the smell of baking pastries triggers memories of preparing for Christmas eve.
You may have your reasons why you want to burn a particular candle. There are times when you feel a little blue and want to remember a happy moment in your life. Certain aromas can trigger memories and emotions and provide a feeling of happiness if it coincides with a particular time in your life. Whether you’re experiencing sadness, grief, or had a bad day, lighting a candle can make you feel better because it reminds you of a happier time.
Boosts Mood
If scented candles can help you remember those positive and happy memories in your life, they’ll improve your mood. The scented candles are well known for being mood-boosters. Because mood and scent are closely related, some scents affect our emotions and, in turn, our mood. Floral fragrances such as roses, lavender, and jasmine help you feel calm and relaxed, helping you feel better. Some scents can even help lower blood pressure and heart rate and change brain activity.
So, the next time you feel a little blue and want to brighten your mood instantly, try to use a scented candle with citrus or rosemary aroma to focus on the refreshing scent while trying to clear your mind.
Improve Sleep Patterns
Your sleep patterns are affected by your busy lifestyles and everyday stress. Sometimes, you might find it hard to sleep at night. Lighting a scented candle you love can release relaxing chemicals that make you feel content and calm.
As we all know, using electronics right before you head to bed can disrupt your sleep pattern and provide long-term adverse health effects because you’re not getting your recommended 7-9 hours of sleep. The blue light from the screens decreases your magnesium levels, making you feel less tired and more anxious.
Turning your light off earlier and having candlelight can help you feel calmer earlier in the evening and reset your natural sleep patterns. Without disruption from technology, it’s easier to rest for the night.
Mental Health Benefits
Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle includes self-care, especially mental health care. Lighting candles can help create the ideal atmosphere for bringing serenity and a sense of emotional well-being.
Aside from being an effective stress reliever, ear candling is also an effective way of removing earwax buildup.
Relieves Stress
Among the most important benefits of using scented candles is that they help relieve stress. By smelling the pleasant essential oils in scented candles, our hormones are affected, helping to ease your anxiety and worries.
Some scented candles are used for aromatherapy to help deal with anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, and even ease some side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea and pain.
Promotes Relaxation
As mentioned above, burning a scented candle can help lower or relieve stress and promote relaxation. What affects us is not the candle itself but the scent.
Many scented candles contain essential oils and natural compounds from plants with medicinal benefits. Some cultures even use these essential oils for physical, mental, and spiritual healing. Nowadays, they are usually used to promote relaxation and manage stress.
Oils such as Jasmine, Lavender, Valerian, Rose, Ylang-ylang, Chamomile, and Sandalwood promote relaxation and sleep and lower anxiety.
Supports Meditation and Prayer
Lighting scented candles while meditating is an excellent way of enhancing your practice, and it is also used in times of prayer.
Self-expression
Just as we have different tastes in fashion and music, people have different fragrance preferences. We even smell scents differently. So picking a favorite scent for a candle somewhat displays your individuality and personality.
Just as you should not be insecure about your fashion choices, you should feel free to be yourself. Although not everyone likes your choice of scent does not mean it’s lousy.
Safety Guide on Using Scented Candles
While it is true that burning candles releases chemicals into the air, studies show that burning candles does release toxic chemicals, but it’s not clear that these chemicals harm your health.
Burning scented candles properly in your home is not toxic or harmful to your health. Candles are generally safe even though they might trigger allergies, asthma, or migraines. There are ways to make candles even safer to use indoors.
First is proper ventilation. Burn scented candles in a well-ventilated room with windows open while the candle is burning.
Second, while candles can add lovely scent and ambiance for relaxation, stop using them if you think you’re allergic.
Finally, make sure to blow it out. Never leave a lit candle unattended, and make sure to blow it out before you leave the room or go to sleep because unattended candles are a common cause of household fires.