candles

lighting a candle is synonymous with creating a cosy, relaxing space; various scents encourage a sense of calm, and the flickering fire is strongly associated with relaxation. a study conducted by the university of alabama found participants experienced reduced blood pressure when they watched a video of a fireplace, and the longer the participants watched the video, the lower their blood pressure, the more relaxed they felt

whilst the association between candles and relaxation is widely accepted, the exact cause is still widely debated

three reasons candles are associated with relaxation:

• aligning our senses (seeing, hearing and smelling the candle) to a single source, reduces sensory overload and mental processing 

• the opportunity to take in the sight, sound and smell of a candle confirms we aren’t in danger, which reduces anxiety 

• candles reminds us of our evolutionary past, when early humans would often gather around campfires for light and warmth, which increased opportunities for social cohesion and sense of community