Candles are calming, smell great, create ambience and score major points as gift items. But are they good for your health? Yes, but it’s important to choose natural, high-quality candles. They are trimmed to prevent soot, and you burn them in well-ventilated spaces. Avoid paraffin and synthetic fragrances if you have respiratory issues.
Mood Enhancement
While many people consider aromatherapy to be a non-scientific fad, the fact is that scents have a direct impact on the brain and can help to regulate moods. This happens because the molecules in fragrance can bypass your cognitive mental health defenses and reach directly into your limbic brain, where emotions are controlled.
This is why certain smells can evoke memories that bring you happiness or sadness, depending on what they remind you of. Inhaling the scent of a candle can get you back to happy memories and lift your spirits. This is why so many people love to light scented candles when feeling down. In addition to mood enhancement, aromatic candles can boost your energy. Research has shown that inhaling the scent of citrus candles makes you feel delighted and cheerful, which can help fight feelings of fatigue. It is thought that scented candles boost energy levels because the inhalation of these scents activates your immune system, which helps keep your body healthy.
Anxiety Reduction
The scents in candles are a great way to create a relaxing and soothing ambiance. However, depending on your chosen scents, they can produce several health benefits. The aromas emitted by burning candles can help reduce stress and anxiety by triggering positive memories. This is because your sense of smell is directly connected to your brain. Adding scented candles to your home can also help lower your blood pressure. For instance, the scent of sage can reduce your blood pressure by activating happy memories and regulating your breathing.
Moreover, certain scents can positively impact your mental health by alleviating symptoms of depression. Inhaling the scent of rose, lavender, or chamomile can help you overcome depression by reducing your anxiety levels and promoting relaxation. Additionally, scents like peppermint and jasmine can increase energy levels, enhance focus, and improve memory.
But it would help to be careful when purchasing scented candles since many contain toxic chemicals that can cause health problems. When choosing a candle, look for one that contains only natural ingredients and avoid those with dyes or preservatives. In addition, never leave a burning candle unattended and put it away when the wax melts to a safe level. And always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and storage.
Energy Boost
Scented candles create a soothing atmosphere and can help boost your mood, calm your mind, and relieve stress. They can also aid in easing the suffering brought on by PMS and menstrual cramps, and they may even raise dopamine levels in the brain, making you feel better.
A scented candle can also improve indoor air quality by removing pollutants and allergens, benefiting people with allergies or sensitivities. Candles made from natural ingredients, like beeswax and soy wax, are especially helpful for improving indoor air quality because they release negative ions when they burn.
The odor molecules from the fragrance of a scented candle bind to proteins along your nose’s passageways and create electrical signals that can interact with parts of your limbic brain, which controls emotions, thoughts, memory, and behavior. The brain’s reaction to these chemical signals causes you to respond positively or negatively to a particular scent. Candles have long been a source of comfort and relaxation because of their warm glow and calming scents, which contribute to peace and well-being. It has been demonstrated that the soothing flicker of a candle flame can aid in calming the mind and body and lower stress and anxiety levels. Scented candles are an excellent option for usage during meditation or yoga sessions since their aroma can assist in fostering emotions of peace and tranquility.
Pain Relief
Certain scented candles activate chemicals in the brain that boost serotonin and dopamine production, thus lifting your mood. Aromas like mandarin, bergamot, apple, jasmine, and musk are great for this. These scents have also been found to reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. This can improve mood, alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, and promote relaxation and healthy sleep. They can also help ease the pain and discomfort of PMS and menstrual cramps. This is because they stimulate receptors in the nose that send signals to the brain’s limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and memories.
Aside from calming the body and mind, scented candles are also said to encourage a positive self-image. This is because they can make people feel more confident, which in turn can boost their self-esteem.
When choosing scented candles, look for organic or natural ingredients like coconut oil and beeswax. Avoid synthetic fragrances, which may contain phthalates that can trigger allergies and asthma. Choose ones that are infused with essential oils instead. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the mental health benefits of scented candles without worrying about toxic ingredients. Plus, they’ll smell much better. Aside from that, remember to burn them in a well-ventilated room to prevent fires and other safety hazards.
