Scented candles have been used for centuries for their pleasant aroma and their ability to create a calming ambiance. They're a popular choice for creating a relaxing atmosphere in the home, and for good reason. In addition to their soothing scent, scented candles have been found to have a number of benefits for mental health. In this article, we'll explore some of the ways that scented candles can improve your mental health.
But first, let's answer this question:
What do burning scented candles have to do with mental health?
Many integrative psychotherapists and cognitive behavioral therapists have found that scented candles have been scientifically proven to play an essential role in mood, stress, working capacity, and overall mental health.
Mental Health plays a very important role in a person’s life. With the rise in mental health issues during the pandemic, there was a rise in the use of burning scented candles. Here are 5 ways that scented candles can improve your mental health:
Scented candles can be used for reflection and meditation.
Some people use scented candles as a way of meditation to clear their mind. Scents have a way of causing us to reflect and be introspective. So much good can come from analyzing and reflecting on our own personal thoughts. This creates a moment for us to notice our mood and create physical awareness.
Scented candles can also be used to enhance meditation practices. The soft flicker of the candle and the gentle scent can create a peaceful and calming atmosphere, helping to make it easier to enter a meditative state.
If you practice meditation, lighting a scented candle before your session can help to create a serene environment and improve your overall experience.
They can be used as a mood booster.
Ever just felt better while burning a candle? Like all was well with the world? Scented candles can be made in many different scents that can affect a person's mood. Most people like to burn calming and relaxing scents like rosemary, lemon, chamomile and lavender. Since the pandemic, citrus scented candles have also become popular to help lift spirits and boost energy.
Scented candles can also help to boost mood and improve overall well-being. The scent of certain candles, such as citrus and peppermint, has been found to have an energizing effect, which can help to lift your mood and increase feelings of happiness.
When you are feeling low, lighting a scented candle with an uplifting scent can help to improve your mood and boost your energy levels. The scent can help to create a positive atmosphere, making it easier to focus on the good things in life.
They create memories and nostalgia.
Some like to burn scents that are attractive to them, because it can be associated with memories. Fall scents have been known particularly to create nostalgic experiences as so many people have many memories related to this time of year. Our sense of smell is closely linked to our memories and emotions.
Burning candles with particular scents can trigger memories of past experiences, such as the smell of fresh-baked cookies, pine trees, or the ocean. When we smell these scents again, it can bring us back to those moments and evoke feelings of nostalgia. Candles are often used in rituals and traditions, such as birthday celebrations, religious ceremonies, and romantic dinners.
Lighting candles in these contexts can create a sense of nostalgia and remind us of past experiences and happy times. Lighting candles in our homes can create a sense of familiarity and comfort. When we burn candles regularly in a certain room or during a specific time of day, it can become a comforting and familiar part of our routine. The act of lighting a candle can also be calming and soothing, which can contribute to a sense of nostalgia and positive memories.
Candles can create a certain ambience and mood in a space. For example, dim lighting and the warm glow of candles can create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. This can be reminiscent of past experiences, such as romantic evenings or family gatherings, and can create feelings of nostalgia.
They can be great stress busters.
One of the most common benefits of scented candles is their ability to reduce stress. The scent of certain candles, such as lavender and chamomile, has been found to have a calming effect on the mind and body. These scents are known for their ability to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and slow down the heart rate.
When you light a scented candle, it can help to create a relaxing environment, and this can be particularly useful if you are feeling stressed or anxious. The soft flicker of the candle can be soothing to watch, and the scent can help to calm your mind and body, allowing you to unwind and de-stress.
With the continued rise of stress in the United States, scented candles are very impactful to ease a person's anxiety and relieve them of any stress at work or at home.
They create new experiences.
We all tend to gravitate towards our favorite scents, but it can also be good to be open to trying different scents. Trying an out-of-the-ordinary scent and creating a new experience opens you up to new experiences. Burning candles can create a certain atmosphere in a space, whether it's a cozy and intimate atmosphere or a bright and energizing one.
By lighting candles in different ways or using different scents, you can create new and unique experiences in a familiar space. Burning candles can be part of a self-care routine, which can help create new experiences and promote well-being. For example, taking a relaxing bath with candles can create a spa-like experience at home, or lighting candles during a meditation practice can create a calming and introspective experience. Burning candles can be used to create new experiences during social events, such as dinner parties or game nights.
Candles can create a warm and inviting atmosphere that encourages conversation and relaxation. Experimenting with different candle scents can be a fun and enjoyable experience. By trying new scents, you can create new associations and memories and explore new sensory experiences.
I understand the importance of self-care for our overall well-being. With this in mind, I'm excited to announce that I will be hosting a 30-day self-care challenge this month.
This challenge is designed to help you prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical health by committing to a self-care practice every day for 30 days. By participating in this challenge, you'll have the opportunity to explore new self-care practices, build healthy habits, and create a positive and supportive community.
I invite you all to join me in this journey towards self-care and wellness. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, improve your mood, or simply take better care of yourself, this challenge is a great way to get started!
I'm so looking forward to embarking on this self-care journey with you!
Until next time!
Simone