What Does A Stress Relief Candle Do?

What Are Stress Relief Candles?

Stress relief candles are scented candles that are specially formulated to have calming and relaxing properties. The main purpose of these candles is to help create a soothing environment and provide aromatherapy benefits to combat stress and anxiety.

Unlike regular scented candles that just emit a pleasant fragrance, stress relief candles contain essential oils and other ingredients that are claimed to have specific benefits for relaxation. Popular scents used in stress relief candles include lavender, chamomile, jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood, and ylang ylang among others. These scents are thought to help induce calmness, reduce tension, and promote a sense of tranquility.

In addition to scents, stress relief candles may contain other active ingredients such as magnesium, L-theanine, valerian root extract, and more. These can provide supplemental relaxation effects. Many stress relief candles blend multiple aromatherapy oils and ingredients to enhance the calming properties.

How Do They Work?

Stress relief candles work through the power of aromatherapy and creating a soothing environment. The scented oils used in candles can have effects on mood, emotions, and stress levels. When inhaled, the aroma molecules travel through the nose directly to the brain’s limbic system, which is involved in emotion, behavior, motivation and long-term memory (https://www.nourishandloveco.com/blogs/blog/get-lit-5-reasons-to-use-candles-aromatherapy-to-reduce-every-stress). The limbic system responds to the scents by releasing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with relaxation and improved mood.

Certain essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus are especially known for their calming properties. When used in candles, these scents can help promote relaxation, reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, and create a peaceful ambiance (https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/shopping/benefits-of-candles). The flickering candlelight adds to this soothing atmosphere, providing a focal point for meditation or mindfulness. The combination of aromatherapy oils and soft lighting helps create an environment ideal for unwinding, de-stressing and calming the mind.

Benefits and Claims

Research has shown that stress relief candles can provide many benefits related to reducing anxiety and promoting an overall sense of wellbeing. Some of the main benefits include:

Reduced anxiety and improved mood – Studies have found that inhaling essential oils from candles can reduce stress hormones like cortisol while also increasing “feel good” hormones like serotonin and dopamine. This leads to lower anxiety levels and an improved mood.

Lower blood pressure and heart rate – Scents like lavender and chamomile have been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, which promotes relaxation. One study found the scent of lavender candles reduced heart rate by 3.6 beats per minute on average (source).

Better sleep – Candles with relaxing scents like lavender can help initiate sleep and improve sleep quality by creating a calming environment right before bed.

Overall sense of wellbeing – The combination of reduced anxiety, lower stress hormones, improved mood, and better sleep contribute to an overall sense of health and wellbeing when using aromatherapy candles regularly.

Popular Scents

Certain scents are commonly used in stress relief candles for their calming properties. Some of the most popular include:

Lavender – Lavender is well known for its relaxing effects. The scent triggers the release of serotonin and other calming neurotransmitters in the brain. Lavender candles can lower heart rate and blood pressure while also reducing anxiety. [1]

Chamomile – Chamomile has natural calming and soothing properties. The scent of chamomile can induce relaxation and relieve stress and anxiety. Chamomile candles create a soothing environment to unwind. [2]

Ylang Ylang – Ylang ylang essential oil has sedative effects that reduce anxiety. Candles with ylang ylang provide a calming scent that can lower stress hormones in the body. The aroma is both floral and sweet. [3]

These scents along with others like vanilla, sandalwood, and jasmine are commonly blended in candles marketed for stress relief. The soothing aromas create an atmosphere of tranquility.

[1] https://www.wondermind.com/article/best-candles-for-stress/
[2] https://floralessentialoils.com/blog/8-essential-oils-candles-to-relieve-stress/
[3] https://www.amazon.com/stress-relief-candles/s?k=stress+relief+candles

Other Soothing Ingredients

In addition to scents, stress relief candles often contain other natural ingredients that can have a calming effect. Some of the most common ones include:

• Natural beeswax – Beeswax helps candles burn longer and provides an inviting natural aroma. The warming glow of beeswax candles can feel comforting and meditative.[1]
• Soy wax – Soy wax is made from soybean oil and is commonly used in aromatherapy candles. It’s a clean-burning alternative to paraffin wax.[2]
• Essential oils – Many stress relief candles contain essential oils like bergamot, lemon, and frankincense that provide aromatherapeutic benefits. The scents can promote relaxation and help create a peaceful environment.[3]

Tips for Use

Here are some tips for using stress relief candles to maximize their relaxing effects:

Create a relaxing environment free of distractions. Light the candle in a quiet room without too much noise or other activity happening. This will allow you to fully reap the calming benefits of the candle.

Light the candle during stressful times when you need relaxation. Stress relief candles can be helpful during hectic days, in the evening after a long day, or anytime you feel tense and need to unwind. The scent and warm glow can promote calmness.

Try different scents to see which is most effective for you. Experiment with scents like lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla, jasmine, etc. and take note of which fragrances are most soothing. The right scent can truly help melt away stress.

Take deep breaths while the candle is lit to maximize the relaxation effects. Slow, mindful breathing allows you to fully take in the scent and quiet your mind.

Create a whole self-care routine around lighting the candle. You can light it while taking a warm bath, doing light yoga stretches, sipping herbal tea – whatever helps you de-stress.

Place the candle in common areas where you tend to feel a lot of pressure. Having a lovely scent wafting in places like your home office or workspace can instantly lift your mood.

Safety Tips

When using stress relief candles, it’s important to follow some basic safety precautions. As with any open flame, candles can pose a fire hazard if not used properly. Here are some key tips for safely enjoying your stress relief candle (GreenAmerica, 2022):

• Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Avoid surfaces like wood or plastic that could burn.
• Keep candles away from flammable objects like curtains, books, or anything that can catch fire.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Always blow it out before leaving a room.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets who could knock them over.

Following basic precautions like putting candles on safe surfaces and not leaving them unattended can help minimize the risk of fire or injury. When used carefully, candles can be an effective way to promote relaxation. But be sure to follow safety guidelines, especially around kids and pets.

DIY Stress Relief Candles

For many people, making their own candles can be a fun and relaxing hobby. It’s also an easy way to customize the scents and ingredients used for maximum stress relief. When making DIY stress relief candles at home, there are some simple tricks to follow.

Most DIY candle recipes rely on soy wax or other natural waxes as the base, which you can melt down on the stove or in a double boiler. Essential oils are then added to the melted wax to provide aromatic benefits. Some popular essential oils for stress relief candles are lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang, clary sage, sweet orange and vanilla.

Start with a ratio of about 80-100 drops of essential oils per 8 ounces of wax. Mix well and practice caution as the wax will be hot. Reuse containers like mason jars, tin cans and glassware to hold the finished candle. Make sure to attach a wick before pouring in the wax mixture and allowing to fully harden before lighting.

Making DIY candles is an inexpensive way to customize soothing scents. It also allows you to reuse and recycle containers. Experiment with different essential oil blends to create your own signature stress-relief candle.

Reviews of Top Brands

When it comes to top brands for stress relief candles, Yankee Candle is a name that often pops up. One of their most popular stress-relieving candles is the Lavender Vanilla scent (https://www.enhancedapp.io/best-stress-relief-candle/). This candle contains hints of spice and citrus layered over lavender and vanilla fragrances for a soothing, calming effect. One of the pros of Yankee Candles is that they have excellent throw – their fragrances are strong and distribute well throughout a room. The cons are that they can be quite expensive, with the large 22oz jar retailing around $30.

Another top brand is P.F. Candle Co., known for their hand-poured soy candles. Their Stress Relief candle (https://citizenside.com/lifestyle/12-best-stress-relief-candle-for-2023/) is infused with essential oils like lavender and clary sage. It has an herbal, woody aroma that reviewers praise as being calming without being too floral or feminine. The burn time is excellent – up to 60 hours for a single wick 16oz candle. The price point is more affordable too, around $25. The downside is they have less brand recognition compared to Yankee.

For budget-friendly options, Mainstays from Walmart offers stress relief candles starting under $10 (https://www.walmart.com/reviews/product/1513942072). They use more synthetic fragrances instead of pure essential oils, but still provide a pleasant aromatherapy experience. The scents are lighter and have less throw than premium brands. But considering the low cost, they are a good option for occasional stress relief.

The Takeaway

Stress relief candles provide a simple yet effective way to create a calming environment and promote relaxation through the power of fragrance. Key takeaways include:

• Candles with soothing scents like lavender, chamomile, vanilla, and sandalwood can trigger your brain’s relaxation response and lower stress hormones.
• The flickering flame provides a focal point for meditation and mindfulness practices that quiet the mind.
• Many stress relief candles also contain ingredients like essential oils that can enhance the calming benefits when inhaled.
• Using a stress relief candle as part of a nightly relaxation routine can help you unwind from the day’s tensions and sleep better.
• Look for candles with natural wax and lead-free wicks for the safest experience. Always take proper safety precautions.
• Consider your personal scent preferences and desired ambiance when choosing a stress relief candle. Samples or gift sets allow you to try a variety.

With benefits backed by science and ample options to suit your tastes, stress relief candles can be an easy yet transformative addition to daily self-care and relaxation.