Using candles has become increasingly popular in the recent decade. Being an old-fashioned habit hasn’t stopped it becoming more and more popular. Most people like enjoying a candlelit evening at home, regardless of whether it’s a nice dinner or a cosy movie night on the couch. The main reason for using candles is to make a cosy and relaxing atmosphere at home.
For that, we all have our favourite brands and scents. But for those who just begin using scented candles, it might be more confusing to choose from the wide variety of candles and scents. When going through the selection of bigger brands, the number of choices can be overwhelming. So, if you are one of those people who are pretty new to scented candles, this post is definitely for you. Below, you can find a complete guide of the best relaxing candle scents that you can choose.
Relaxing candle scents
As mentioned above, there are certain plants and scents which can help us getting rid of our daily problems and worries. The essential oils listed below are known for helping you relax and relieve stress while creating a unique and cosy atmosphere. If you plan on regularly light candles to help you relax, it Is worth knowing the best scents for that. Also, knowing which scent has certain effects you would like to achieve, can make it easier for you to choose. Below, you can find the six most common relaxing candle scents with a detailed list of effects.
Lavender
Lavender is primarily known for its relaxing effects on us. Therefore, lavender scented candles can indeed help you relax, reduce stress and anxiety, calm your nerves and even make you sleep better. Also, it has a really unique sweet scent which most people really enjoy. So feel free to use it in your bedroom before going to sleep or during a relaxing bubble bath. One last tip: it is also claimed to help reducing headaches.
Chamomile
As you might know, chamomile is one of the most popular herbs which is widely used today as well. It is known for anti-inflammatory effects, as well as being calming and stress reliever. So, this is also a great choice when it comes to relaxing and enjoying a quiet night at home. Lastly, many people claim to make them feel better, so you can also use it to lift your mood and overcome a bad day. No wonder why it is so widely popular and used in aromatherapy as well.
Lemon
Citrus scented candles are also often chosen when it comes to relaxing candle scents. But they have a slightly different effect than the above-mentioned ones. The reason for that is that it is not so much calming, but rather energizing. This would be a great choice when you need something to wipe away a negative mood and to make you feel fresh and energetic. So this would be a better choice at the beginning of a difficult day, not at the end of it.
Ylang ylang
Ylang ylang is one of the most popular choices when it comes to aromatherapy, and it is a really popular candle scent. The reason for that is that it has a strong effect on stress and anxiety as well as depression and mood swings. Therefore, it is a great choice at the end of a bad day, when you have to cope with stress or even insomnia. By lighting an ylang ylang candle in your bedroom, a good night sleep is guaranteed.
Vanilla
Similarly to the candle scents listed above, vanilla also has a good effect on anxiety, stress, and general bad mood. The sweet scent is many people’s favourite which is no wonder as it can cause a genuinely cosy environment in your living room. However, there is one more great effect which this candle scent has: it can improve your ability to focus. So if you know you are going to have a day full of meetings and tasks, make sure to light a vanilla candle in the morning. It will surely make your day easier to handle.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a popular herb which is used mostly in the kitchen. But this doesn’t mean that it is not a great choice when it comes to candle scents and essential oils. If you use scented candle, that will enhance your mood and help you relieve anxiety – similarly to the other scents on the list. But there are also two more pros of using rosemary. On the one hand, it improves your brain functions, including focusing and memorizing. On the other hand, rosemary also boosts your immune system through its anti-inflammatory effect. So this is truly a healthy option for you.
As you can see, these scents all have similar effects of calming you down, helping you relax and reduce stress. But each of them has some added positive effect which makes them even more useful. Obviously, you also have the option to choose candles which are made with fragrance oils. This means that they were created with multiple essential oils in order to make a unique scent. As relaxing is one of the main motivations for using candles, the big candle makers have a wide variety of products dedicated for helping customers relax. So apart from the essential scents mentioned above, you can find various relaxing candles with mixed scents.
How to use them?
After the list above, you can easily choose the best relaxing candle scents for your home. Most people choose more favourites and have a unique scent for specific programs. This way, you can associate nice memories with the specific fragrances. If you are not a big candle user yet, you might ask what programs candles can be used. Well, it is completely up to you. However, there are a few typical activities which can be enhanced with your favourite relaxing candle scents. Let’s see what you can choose from!
Candlelit dinner
When it comes to lighting candle, I believe the first thought to pop in mind is a candlelit dinner for most people. No wonder, as there is nothing that can create such a unique atmosphere as a few candles on your dining room. This is especially true if you choose the right scents for your dinner. The cosy lights and the unique fragrance will definitely make your evening perfect.
Movie night
Although having a movie night might not be the most relaxing program for some, many of us enjoys turning off our minds while completely focusing on a great movie. For that, lighting some candles can be a great choice. And no, it doesn’t have to be a romantic movie! Regardless the movie you chose, a few scented candles will definitely enhance the mood and will help you relax even more.
Relaxing bath
When it comes to complete relaxation, having a long bubble bath is the dream. There are very few better choices at the end of a long day than enjoying the hot water in peace and quiet or with your favourite music. For that, burning a few candles is a perfect match. You can choose simple candles, and that can also do wonders – but choosing scented candles is the real deal. For such occasions, it is advised to choose your favourite relaxing candle scents as they can help you relax. This can also improve your sleeping quality, especially if you take your bubble bath shortly before going to bed.
Meditation
Meditation is one of the best ways of relieving stress and getting rid of our anxiety and work problems. When it comes to meditation, many people enjoy also lighting a candle or using an incense burner. Both options are really good for supporting your relaxing experience as well as setting the right mood. It is worth knowing which types of scents are the most relaxing, but it is safe to choose any of the scents above. Obviously, practicing meditation takes time and requires special knowledge, it is still worth starting this truly healthy habit.
When it comes to lighting candles and relieving stress, it is always important to remember the safety measurements. Obviously, it is difficult to turn off your mind while worrying about open flame. So make sure to always light candles on a clean surface with not too many things around it. Also, keep it away from drafts and always keep an eye on them.
All in all, you can see that there is a wide variety of relaxing candle scents you can choose from. Therefore, it is pretty easy for everyone to choose their favourite ones and start using them on special events – or only when you need a break. With simply lighting a few candles around you, you can actually support your own health and calm. So make sure to purchase some of the mentioned scented candles!
