Candles on your birthday cake. Warm light from the diyas (lamps) in your God’s room. Aromatherapy candles in your bathroom. Warm bulbs in the corners of your living room. Twinkling fairy lights on your Christmas tree. Admit it, even reading through this list gave you a sense of warmth, calm & relaxation. Candlelight comes closest to the soothing warm, yellow light of sunrise or sunset – think, Golden Hour! Candlelight for self-care can very well find a place in your daily rituals.
Try this the next time you have had a rough and heavy day. Turn off all the white lights in your house, including devices like the TV. Turn on any warm bulbs or ceiling lights that glow yellow. Keep the overall brightness low across the house – with a light in the living room, one in the hallway and another from your night stand. Light a candle, or two in a safe, well ventilated space in the space where you intend to sit or lie down. Extra marks if the candle is Aromatherapy based. Hide away your phone, or maybe play some relaxing music (Hertz frequency notes, maybe) and just relax. Empty your mind, let go of all the negativity and be conscious of your breath. I bet a 30-minute rest in an environment like this, will have you putting candlelight for self-care on the top of your daily ritual list.
Why does Candlelight soothe us?
Turns out there actually is some science behind why spending time in candlelight leaves us feeling calm, relaxed and happy!
Candlelight emits a warm, soft glow, typically in the 1,000–1,900 Kelvin range. This range is similar to the glow of sunset. This low-color-temperature light helps the brain produce melatonin, the hormone that promotes relaxation and sleep, unlike harsh blue light from screens that can keep you alert.
The gentle flicker of a candle flame creates a mild, rhythmic visual stimulus that can help with focus and relaxation, similar to the effect of watching a campfire. This subtle movement can encourage a meditative state, reducing stress and anxiety. There is even a yoga practice that involves staring focusedly at a flame from a candle which is intended to relax eyes, improve eyesight and your brain focus.
Using scented candles, boosted with essential oils like lavender, vanilla, or sandalwood can further enhance relaxation by stimulating the limbic system—the part of the brain responsible for emotions and memory.
And finally, Fire has been essential for human survival for thousands of years. Studies suggest that watching a flame can lower blood pressure and reduce stress because our brains associate firelight with safety, warmth, comfort and social bonding.
So you see candlelight for self-care is not just for the aesthetics of it. It can have a great impact on your feeling of wellness and I find it is very simple to follow the practice. Simply go around the house, turning off all the white lights (remember, they are for offices and hospitals) and turn on all the yellow, mood lighting. Candlelight dinners have rightfully earned the reputation for being the ultimate form of romance.
What do you think? Would you give this a try?
I am participating in #BlogchatterA2Z.
I will be writing 26 blog posts on the theme of Self-Care.
A was Aromatherapy: Simple ways to Refresh and Recharge
B was Brewing Coffee, Nourishing the Mind: A Simple Act of Self-Care
Interesting read. I would give candlelight therapy a try. It is new to me.
Do try it. Thanks for reading this blog 🙂