Why Candles Promote Relaxation: The Science & Ritual of Unwinding with Candlelight
Imagine for a moment, you’ve just come home after a long day at work. You are exhausted spent and ready to transition to your own time. You’ve just made dinner and dim down the lights, setting on the table a candle. As you finish dinner, you take your candle to your living room where you open up your favorite book and get cozy with a cup of tea.
Even this small ritual invites not only relaxation, but a sense of ease and comfort. It illuminates the room with a sense of peace. Something about a candles presence evokes comfort allowing our nervous system to rest and feel held.
For centuries, candles have been used for the symbol of relaxation. In ancient civilizations such as Rome or Egypt, candles were used in temples for spiritual practices and ceremonies. Not only were they a way to light the temples but it also a way to evoke in the sacred.
Growing up Catholic, I often hold memories of lighting a candle as a act of spirituality. Whether it was during Christmas season as we lit a candle to symbolize Advent, or when we would set a prayer and light a candle to symbolize that prayer. Candles were often used as a symbol of meditating on something greater than ourselves.
The word “candle” actually comes from a Latin word “candere” meaning “to shine”. This was not only meant in a literally form of creating light, but also in a symbolic, religious way of to shine light in the way of the path forward, one of hope.
The Science Behind Candlelight and Relaxation
Yoga practices of meditation such as Trataka use candle gazing and/or visualizing inner fire as a way to focus and begin to find inner strength. In Trataka, focusing on a candle flame is said to help benefit with mental clarity and concentration. It gives the mind a central focal point and the ease of fire allows a strong sense of focus. Candle focus is special because when we gaze at a fire, we can enter into a trance state. Our brain shifts out of beta brainwave (which keeps us alert) and into alpha brainwave which corresponds to a relaxed and creative state.
In yoga philosophy, the Yoga Sutras discusses agni as the transformational inner fire that is needed in order to digest, purify, and change. Heat is built up in practices as a way to create the fire to get things within moving so that then it can be digested. Fire is the symbol of that movement, symbolizing the alchemy of change.
Our nervous system is soothed and changed by light and fire. It moves with the elements of nature and can be used to help digest when is unprocessed so that we can be more comfortable within. When we are comfortable, we are naturally relaxed.
It is also known that lighting in the evening can impact our ability to help our body relax and prepare for rest and sleep. Dim lighting assists with our melatonin production and can aid in better sleep.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, “Light exposure is one of the most important factors when it comes to regulating our circadian rhythm—helping keep the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle in sync. Because our brains are hard-wired to stay awake during daylight hours and fall asleep when it gets dark at night, it’s important to consider how your exposure to light is affecting your sleep-wake cycle.”
The Role of Aromatherapy in Stress Relief
Scents affect the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions. When we take in certain scents, it’s as though it tells our brain its okay to allow these emotions in with it. It’s as though its an invitation to our nervous system to bring forth these emotions. Here are some examples of the best candle scents for relaxation:
Lavender- reduces anxiety and promotes sleep
Chamomile- soothes nerves and eases tension
Sandalwood- enhances meditation and grounding
Vanilla- creates a comforting, cozy feeling
Here our Signature Candles that contain these scents:
Lavender- Being Allowed to Have A Bad Day, Deep Belly Wisdom
Chamomile- Nourished and Alive
Sandalwood- Your Body As Home
Vanilla- Inhale Exhale
Meditation Ritual to Practice
Try a Trataka Meditation Practice. You will need:
A candle
A comfortable place to sit
A dark and quiet place to sit
*you can also add in a journal, inspiration books of wisdom, sacred objects, water, etc.
Start with a 3 minute timer. Begin to soften your eyes and gaze at the light source. Allow yourself to be immersed in the light and softly place your focus and attention on the light source. If your mind begins to wander, gently call it back and bring you attenion back to the light source.
When the timer is up, journal if you’d like about the experience, noticing that nothing is good or bad about it. See if you can notice without judging the experience. Continue to practice from 1-5 minutes to begin with, increasing over time as you begin to get more comfortable with it.
Why Non-Toxic Candles Are Essential for True Relaxation
When doing meditation practices or any relaxation practice, it’s essential to use non-toxic candles. The paraffin candles and synthetic candles can cause discomfort during the meditation, but can also have lasting negative effects on your nervous system. It’s important to consciously aware of what you are inhaling when you are trying to promote relaxation.
The benefits of using soy wax, coconut wax, and essential oil-based candles are for clean breathing so that your lungs and body are not negatively impacted by your ritual. Choosing sustainable candles supports both personal wellness and the environment and all our candles at Peace By Rest abide by these essentials.
Make Candles Part of Your Daily Wind-Down Routine
Be intentional about your self-care rituals in reducing stress and anxiety. Using non-toxic aromatherapy candles naturally promote relaxation. Adding on meditation rituals such as a trataka practice can enhance your focus and clarity by also promoting your brainwaves to move towards an alpha state.
Explore our collection of non-toxic, aromatherapy candles designed for deep relaxation and mindfulness. See how you can create a soothing space today.
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