Top Five Ways Candles Can Help You Be Calm, Give You Clarity, and Keep You Feeling Your Best

Who doesn't love their house full of a cozy feeling, that's what makes our homes a home, and so does a scent.

We all know the drifting aroma of coffee in the morning fills us with that deep breath, knowingly coffee will give us a boost and make it a good day.

Smells do many things for us in our lives, perhaps more than we pay them attention. They are like the unappreciated olfactory part of us that one should revitalize.

The reason is that our sense of smell can have profound effects on our well-being, health, and mental calmness as an example.

In the article, written by VINAYA called "The Science Of Scent: How To Strategically Influence Your Brain" discusses the powerful aspects scent can have on our body's system. Specifically, neuroscience is a part of understanding more fully how scents can benefit us on countless levels. We are talking about "leveraging the intrinsic functioning of the limbic system to influence moods and behaviours, a practice known as ‘scent association’."

Personally, I swear by scented candles for many health benefits.

1) Certain scents can be used to mend our souls and give us calmness.

In an article by Kendall Cornish entitled, "The Benefits of Scented Candles According to a Psychotherapist", the fact that certain smells can aid us more than we give them credit for, or even think of candles in this way.

However, as Chryssa Chalkia explains, who is a clinical psychologist as well as a behavioral therapist,

"The soothing effect that candles have is based on how the brain processes smells. The smell of scented candles stimulates our limbic system, the part of the brain that is home to our memory and emotions."

Scents have a way of aiding our emotions and are linked to releasing feel-good hormones. If we are not in balance and good health, this can quickly lead to outwardly physical ailments.

Centering ourselves and getting grounded again is a must to calming back down to even be capable of gaining clarity of a situation.

You know, for times when you got really upset and see red. We aren’t thinking straight. We need to practice breathing and focusing on our mental health, with the aid of certain aromas candles can provide, or be a gateway to a new you.

Here are the scents Chryssa Chalkia outlined to have tremendous effects.

For me my go-to would be Lavender, which can help you sleep, plus basically calms your nerves. I absolutely adore cinnamon too and this can give you mental alertness.

As explained in the article called, "11 Scents That Can Do Wonders For Your Well-Being", written by Lindsay Holmes, "Researchers from Wheeling Jesuit University studied participants and found that those who took a whiff of cinnamon improved in cognitive functions like visual-motor response, working memory and attention span."

Speaking of cinnamon - just as certain smells can work to heal us as we take those deep breaths - the next most logical aspect of utilizing these effects would be to combine them with your meditation.

2. Pairing candles with meditation can give you greater mental clarity

Meditation is very therapeutic on countless levels, but it can be hard to achieve a very deep and fulfilling meditation session. Taming the mind to focus is definitely not an easy feat.

If you are worried, you are stressed, and your brain is whirling, by all means, use candles to increase your experience of a very calm, relaxed state.

Candlelight has a way of creating a feeling of warmth when you look at the flame. It is rather soothing watching the flames itself as a technique.

In Science Sensei in an article called, "The Surprising Science Behind Why Candles are So Calming" the author writes:

Candles have long been used to help people meditate. Meditation helps relax the waves generated by the brain to get in better control of your emotions and improve your mood. Meditation benefits are manifold, from decreasing your blood pressure and heart rate to enhancing your body’s immune response." Just the right type of focus for me, with gains of this nature, I'm in.

3) Candles are mood-enhancing

As mentioned earlier candles with certain smells can work with your emotions and if you were having a heightened state they can release feel-good hormones. This helps by getting our body to chill out and not be in this heightened stress mode or essentially a continuous flight zone.

Candles provide a holistic option for relief. Certainly, medical options exist, though I think most would be interested in at least trying some more natural aids.

Mentioned the Flower Pot website in their article, "6 Health Benefits of Burning Candles", it talks about the effects that candles can have, not to mention they have an excellent selection of candles to chose from.

Not surprisingly the article mentions, "Psychologists say candles have a positive effect on mental health, and can be paired with other wellness activities like journaling and doing yoga by candlelight."

4) Candles can help freshen the air of toxins

It is highly important to mention that not all candles are the same. In fact, the ones I used growing up probably weren't the best even if they were wax. Sure, these may not be the best, yet I think if used appropriately like when the windows are also open for proper ventilation, the negatives outweigh the positives. Just saying.

Nonetheless, we now have a better alternative. Beeswax candles actually cleanse the home. That's right, isn't it amazing!

In this article by Philip Owens who is an Air Pollution expert called, "Ditch the Paraffin Candles and Opt for Nature’s Air Purifier" states,

"Beeswax emits negative ions much like some electric air purifiers do. Negative ions actually clear air of mold spores, pollen, dander, odors, germs, dust and other nasty particles. Most of these are high in positively charged particles, and in the atomic world, opposites attract."

I'd also recommend checking out Natura Soy or more plant-based candles. Just do your research on what's environmentally healthy and fill your baskets with scents that will be good for the environment, your whole family's health, and be purifying your home too.

For instance, this is the most gifted candle set on Amazon, and it looks lovely too. Scented Candles Gift Set.

5) Candles can be enjoyed by the whole family

Candles can create an atmosphere around the dinner table, where they are the safest and never left unattended, or put on during a family exercise session, or right before bedtime to assist kids in calming down with those scents mentioned above. Since there are lots of variety of candles they never got boring.

Also, I should add that the market is not just for women. In fact, sales do show that men too love to buy candles. Men do enjoy a candle, perhaps in more "rustic or woodsy scents" but whole line-ups on the market are just for you guys.

They do make a perfect gift as well. Confused as to what to gift your man, check out these ones - "10 Best Candles for Men 2022: From Pine-Scented to Pirate-Inspired".

There is no reason not to embrace the ambiance of candlelight, dazzling your home with its wavy flickering warmth, creating a cozy feel to your home. Inviting you to take deep therapeutic breath - in and hold and then slowly exhale. Ah, with new environment-friendly options, I think it just makes a home authentically yours. Now this is where a "smelly home" is exactly what you want. Until next time, sniff in that candle goodness and joy!