Everybody knows that stress is a serious issue in all ages, we all have been there and know the feeling. It can come with various symptoms and issues, so it’s not so easy to fight it. If you ever experienced stress, scented candles might be your way of fighting it. Let’s see 10 ways relaxing candles can help you!
What is stress?
Stress is a definition of any kind of event, state or change in your life that causes emotional, physical distortion. Stress is the response of your body to anything that requires attention or action. One thing that is making a big difference on your well-being is how you react to stress.
High levels of stress can manifest as fear, worry, inability to relax, increased heart rate, difficulty in breathing, disturbed sleeping and eating patterns, difficulty in concentrating.
Helping through aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the old practice of using essential oils, candles and diffusers for therapeutic benefit. Aromatherapy has been used for many centuries. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain. Scented candles - when chosen and used correctly - can have a similar positive effect on you.
Clearing your mind and relaxing
First of all, burning a nice scented candle can make your home cosy and peaceful. This can help at the end of a long day when you want to forget about work-related stress or other issues. If you choose the right scents, like chamomile, it can calm you down really quickly.
Perfect for a romantic evening
A romantic evening can’t be complete without candles. Sometimes all we need to turn off our mind is some quality time with the one we love. A candlelit dinner can help you clear your mind and be more relaxed. This way you can truly enjoy your romantic evening without the effects of stress.
For meditations and Yoga
Meditation and Yoga are really beneficial for your body and mental health, but sometimes it is jut not enough. As mentioned, in cases when your anxiety or stress level is high, you need something extra to take the weight off your shoulders. If you have a favourite place where you like to exercise, you can light a few candles with a variety of essential oils in them to help you set the mood for a good exercise! to not get annoyed by only one smell. Sometimes, a good exercise is all we need!
Anti-stress bubble bath
The most widespread thing to do in cases of stress is taking a hot relaxing bubble bath. If you are searching for ways to have a more immersive experience, you should definitely tune it up with relaxing candles. Put a few in the sides of the bath tube, put in some slow music, or just voices of nature and turn your bathroom into an island of peace. Just 30 minutes once a week can do wonders in the long run!
Probably you might not know, but combining these two have a great benefit. Hot water helps increase blood flow to the skin. The temperature of the bath can also improve our breathing as it opens up our lungs that allows more oxygen in. More oxygen means more scent reaches the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain.
So this combining effects can relieve stress even more effectively. Relaxing in a hot water bath can also lower your blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart diseases, and control your blood sugar.
Better sleep
If you have insomnia or sudden changes in your sleeping pattern or quality, you might be disturbed by stress. In these cases the best solution is to fight it with natural options. Choosing a scented candle made with lavender is a great way to help you normalize your sleeping habits. The smell of lavender will help you fall asleep more quickly so you can forget about your problems.
Focusing
Burning candles can’t only be used to make you calm and turn off your brain, but also to help you focus and concentrate. In case you have a strict deadline at work or you are preparing for an exam, choosing the right scented candle can help you focus. So next time when you feel like your brain can’t handle more, just light a candle and put in some instrumental music!
Grieving
It might sound strange, but candles can actually help you in case of loss. It can help you remember just by reminding you of a specific scent. Also, there is a reason why we light a candle in churches for our loved ones who are no longer with us.
Energizing effect
Apart from making you calm and relaxed, the right scents can just as easily help you feel more energetic. This can be really helpful in case of more hectic days when you don’t have quality time for yourself. Essential oils such as lime or grapefruit can make you feel boosted pretty quickly! Make sure to choose the right scent and you will definitely feel the positive effect quickly.
Improving your mood
We all have bad days when nothing happens the way we expect or want to. It can be either disappointing or simply annoying, but you can fight those feelings with a nice candle. The easiest way is to find your favourite candle and relax while listening to your favourite playlist.
We all have our own ways of coping with stress and trying to forget about the daily problems. Choosing to use candles might be one of the simplest and healthiest options for fighting the effects of stress. So make sure to keep a few of your favourite scented candles at home!