How can scented candles help you fight depression?
Role of scented candles in fighting depression
Scented candles have been in use for ages for
meditative and relaxing purposes. Once used by the royalty as a mood enhancer
and aphrodisiac, their use in calming the mind has been recognized even by
psychologists and counselors. They are used in sessions as alternative healing
methods to help in soothing the person's nerves and making him relaxed and
comfortable.
Scented Candles as Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy treats the person as a whole
instead of treating him based on his individual symptoms. Widely referred to as
Complementary and Alternative medicine, Holistic Therapy works on the physical
and energy balances of the person. They consider the emotional, spiritual, and
social states of health as well as the physical and mental health for more
effective healing. Without disregarding medical interventions, they tend to
work with them side by side for effective treatment.
Scented candles achieve all of the
above-mentioned goals by working on the brain through the olfactory nerves. Not
only do they soothe and relax the body and mind, but they also increase focus,
stimulate the mind with aiding in sleep disorders, a common problem in people
with depression.
Candles for sleep disorders
Vanilla is among the best scented candles for
sleep disorders. Vanilla oil contains substances that mix quicker in the
bloodstream. This helps it reach the neurotransmitters controlling sleep and
relaxation in a more effective manner. The sedative and pain-relieving effects
of the oil further aid in undisturbed sleep, and you wake up refreshed the next
day. Apart from vanilla, jasmine and rose are some other scents useful for
helping in sleep. These fragrances reduce the heart rate and soothe the
agitated mind for a peaceful night's sleep.
Candles for soothing the mind
Lavender is said to work wonders for soothing
the mind. The scent of lavender works on the brain through the olfactory nerves
and relieves headaches, migraines, and even asthma attacks. It eases muscle
aches and, through it, relaxes the body. Lavender is said to affect the body's
limbic system linked to blood pressure, hormone balance, stress, and the other
emotional factors activated by an agitated mind. It is used and explicitly
recommended by psychologists for helping with depression, anxiety, and other
neurological disorders. Apart from lavender citrus oil, pine and peppermints
are some other effective candle scents for soothing the mind.
Candles for increasing focus
Depression leads to loss of focus with anxiety
and insomnia that affect the person's quality of life. Studies have shown that
rosemary and spearmint scents can stimulate the brain and ease body disorders
through their carminative and antispasmodic properties. Once the body starts
relaxing, the mind starts focussing in a better manner. Research has also
proved that rosemary scent can positively impact human short-term memory by
helping in better memorization of numbers.
Candles for elevating the mood
Any Citrus scent can have a strong impact on
your mood. Lemongrass, orange, grapefruit contain d-limonene that works on the
neurotransmitters for relaxing effects. They work on the sinuses and on the
general limbic system to decrease heart rate by acting as muscle relaxants. The
limbic system also impacts memory and emotional responses that are achieved by
citrus scents. Apart from citrus, mint is another mood elevator scent. Mint
gives you a feeling of wakefulness by dilating the blood vessels and, in turn,
increasing the oxygen supply to the brain.
Purpose of aroma in candles
Aroma candles, through their natural scents,
decrease stress and have a calming effect on the mind. Through their healing
properties, they lower cortisol levels and increase the levels of dopamine to
have a positive impact on mood and overall senses. Best scented candles like
geranium, lavender, and vanilla are recommended explicitly by counselors to be
used for people with depressive tendencies.
By improving our mood, decreasing our anxiety levels, and helping with
sleep, they impact our psychological conditions and the overall quality of our
life.
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