Candles have long been used as a source of illumination, celebration and decoration. They have been a cornerstone in many rituals for cultures around the world as well as a luxurious indulgence for us all to enjoy in our personal spaces.

The candles most obvious benefit was to provide light in a space, too cast a warm, and functional, glow for one to see. However, candles have come a long way since their early origins and these days, the function as a light source has become secondary to their popularity in the form of assisting our moods with the addition of them having fragrance added, thus becoming scented.

The soft flickering of candlelight can no doubt help create a relaxing atmosphere, as well as giving you the instant sense of warmth. The sheer act of lighting a candle helps ease and soothe the mind. The next time you have a stressful day, light a candle, focus on the flame, breath. You will at once feel a sense of grounding, of calmness.

A study conducted by Keville and Green reports that “imbalances of psychological wellbeing such as depression can be improved with the use of scented candles and oils. For example, certain scented candles can help reduce feelings of fear and anxiety, reducing stress and lifting mood.”

With this in mind, the following six scented candles have been identified as fragrances that may assist with some of these feelings and moods:

• Lemon Scented Candles – thought to be energising and to help relieve anxiety and depression
• Peppermint Scented Candles – stimulating and can assist with enhancing focus
• Orange Scented Candles – stress reducing
• Lavender Scented Candles – grounding and very relaxing for both body and mind and can assist with sleeping difficulties
• Clary Sage Scented Candles – positive mood lifting
• Vanilla Scented Candles – increases happiness levels, uplifts your mood and stimulates feelings of relaxation and joy

Why Scented Candles Make the Best Gifts

Other than the very positive affects a scented candle can have to one’s health, there are a myriad of reasons as to why candles can make such wonderful gifts for your loved ones. These are our top three favourite reasons to spoil a loved one with a scented candle:

Nostalgia

As we all have experienced, smell more so than any other sense, is closely linked with memory. Given this, gifting a loved one a scented candle that is linked to a special memory you have shared together makes for a wonderfully personal, and thoughtful, gift. Perhaps you shared a picnic in a beautiful forest, then a pine scented candle could transport that loved one back to that moment in time. Perhaps their favourite food is a lemon meringue pie? Then think about gifting a lemon scented candle. You’re only limited by your imagination and we are sure that if you were to capture this memory in card, the scented candle would be a treasured gift for a long time to come.

Natural Lighting

You don’t have to be a hopeless romantic to appreciate the soft, warm glow of candlelight. Given the amount of time we all spend on our screens and, therefore the exposure we have to artificial light, a candle burning can be a welcoming relief.

In fact, there are now scientific studies being conducted all around the world as to the impact artificial light is having on us. The vast majority of these studies are concluding that artificial light is impacting our sleep patterns and cycles and therefore, our health. Viewing screens of devices at night time can restrict melatonin and make the brain more alert. By reducing our use of screen time at night, this in turn may help calm us and therefore encourage us to have a better nights rest. So, what better reason than to gift a loved one a beautiful scented candle?

Decoration

Nothing completes a beautifully styled interior than the addition of a wonderfully scented candle burning. It can really enhance the atmosphere one is creating. For example, if you know the recipient of your gift has a Hampton’s style home, then an ocean scented candle would make for the perfect offering. Likewise, you know their favourite spot to vacation is camping in the Australian bushland, then a eucalyptus scented candle would be very thoughtful.

When shopping for your next scented candle, no matter the fragrance, know the benefits of buying one for yourself or a loved one as a gift, can have more positive benefits than perhaps you first possibly imagined.