I was recently gifted some lovely products from luxury fragranced soy candle, melt & snap bar brand Hulu, and it got me contemplating why we love candles so much. An hour in the bath? Get the candles. Moving in present needed? Buy a candle or two. What’s always on the Christmas list? Oooh, a nice candle please.
What is it about candles that mean we just can’t get enough?! Well, it’s not just a marketing thing – they actually have some great benefits.
Relaxation
There’s no denying candles are great for relaxation – whether they’re burning in the treatment room at a massage or adorning the edges of your bubble bath, they’re the go-to little self-care tool. The light they provide is a warm and natural glow, not like the harsh artificial light of shops and office spaces that we’re used to. The gentle flickering movement is soothing and mesmerising. They’re often infused with calming essential oils. And when you close your eyes, the little sporadic crackles can transport you to a soft rug by a grand fireside, or to stargazing in the forest at night beside a blazing campfire.
With these simple sensory pleasures, candles can help create an atmosphere of calm and well-being that can help to reduce anxiety, alleviate stress and encourage a good night’s sleep.
Meditation
So you’re nice and relaxed and in the mood to take things one step further. Many people use candles in visualisation, gratitude rituals and meditation. In fact, there’s a whole purification method in certain forms of yoga called Trataka, where staring at the candle flame helps you to quiet the mind, achieve a meditative state, visualise your thoughts – and supposedly bring energy to the third eye to promote physic ability.
Emotional comfort/familiarity
Whilst I was doing a little reading around the subject, I came across a lovely piece that linked our love for candles with their traditional, historic and religious associations. Light is the symbol for goodness, purity, life, where darkness has typically been a symbol of fear and death, and so the candle became established as a positive symbol in rituals and traditions in just about every culture across the world.
We burn them to represent life and joy at birthdays and celebrations; we burn them during prayer and worship to represent our faith, our souls, our chosen God; we burn them to remember our lost loved ones through light instead of sorrow; we burn them in vigils to guide lost souls home.
So now, even if we’re not actively burning a candle for one of these reasons, we may still feel the comfort and love that’s associated with these things and subconsciously rooted within us.
Health
Candles are used in a variety of ways to promote health. Have you tried a Hopi ear candle treatment? A traditional, natural therapy designed to remove toxins and wax from the ear, it’s alleged to help reduce stress and tension headaches, as well as aid with conditions such a tinnitus, sinusitis and hayfever.
You can use candles to help realign specific chakras. And of course, all the things I’ve mentioned above – relaxation, meditation, comfort – are great for your mental health and overall well-being.
But that brings me to the type of candles you’re using, because if you’re burning traditional paraffin wax candles, they’re going to undo all your good work – they might be cheap but they’re pretty toxic and won’t do your lungs (or your paint/wallpaper, whilst we’re at it), any good. Beeswax (which is rather expensive!) and soy candles are where it’s at if you want all the benefits, without the nasties.
So if you’re looking for a natural, healthy, more sustainable and cruelty free candle, then take a look at hulu. Hulu use 100% soy wax for their candles, which burns much more cleanly and is longer-lasting; is a natural and renewable source; and, is biodegradable. And since it’s easily washed away with soapy water, the jars they come in can be reused or recycled.
From lemongrass and ginger to tobacco and oak, hulu also have a lovely variety of fragrances, whether you want something relaxing, invigorating or romantic. Personally, I’ve been using lime, basil and mandarin in my bedroom for a refreshing but soothing scent, which really helps me to relax. (I’ve burned it for around 10 hours so far, and it isn’t even halfway down the jar).
I also have a beautiful blackberry and bay reed diffuser which is doing a grand job of moving me on from the heavier orange and cinnamon festive scents that are still hanging around, post-Christmas!
So if you’re looking for a Valentines gift, or a self-care aid for yourself, you can grab a gorgeous treat from hulu, without the luxury price tag.
Browse the website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
My products were gifted, but all opinions are my own.
I do enjoy a good candle. Throw in a massage chair and a beer and I vegetate. Ah, a coma sounds nice right now…
I adore candles! I just find them so calming and cosy.
A friend makes her own and the scents are to die for
The scents you mentioned sound interesting, the tobacco and oak in particular x
I use them mainly for relaxation as it always makes me feel happy when I have a candle on. I love to use them both when I’m in the bath but also relaxing in the bedroom reading a book x
I always have a candle lit of an evening, even in the summer months, there is something about the scents and the flickering of the wick that I find really relaxing x
I use candles all the time, Im a huge fan of them. i love the scents they can give, but mostly love watching the flame dance, it can be hypnotising to watch and really relaxes me. My boyfriend bought me some ear wax candles things for christmas and were going to try them soon. I have a weird thing where I don’t like my ears being touched so it will be hell for me, but I have heard the benefits are amazing so im going to go for it.
We love candles at mine. I often buy them for the aroma to help fragrance the rooms. They’re great for giving a calm atmosphere to a room in the evening.
From one candle lover to another – you nailed this one!
I love candles and the ambiance they create when you burn them. You also have such a wide variety of scents to choose from for the right occasion. They are so wonderful as a self-care tool. Thank you for sharing!
Lovely post! I always enjoy candles. I also still enjoy my grandmother’s antique oil lamps. They are calming and very comforting to me.
Candles are my fav! Anytime people ask me for gift ideas for my birthday or Christmas, I do mention candles! heh! You can never have too many. 🙂
I struggle with anxiety, so these tips are definitely helpful for me in ways to relax ❤️
Candles are such an important part of my life. As mentioned, I find that they add a lot to relaxation – I usually burn a few scented candles around me when I’m drawing a bath. I also use them regularly for rituals and ceremonial reasons as a practicing pagan. Thank you for sharing!
Yes! I love burning candles as well! I feel so much more relaxed when I do!
I never heard of Hopi candle treatment, but you’re so right about them being comforting
I never realised that there were different kinds of wax for candles (blush). I figured they all used the same wax but where different prices depending on brand etc. Mind blown! I am going to try one of these in my bedroom as I am a terrible sleeper, might just do the trick!
Candles are my absolute favourite for relaxation – the smell, look and feel of them is just incredible. I love turning my lights off and just having the flicker of the flame throughout my room. ❤
Soph x
Candles have such a cozy, calming feeling, and scents enhance that even more. They’re a great way to add some relaxation to an otherwise stressful day.
It amuses me that candles were always about church or a power cut when I was a child. Then romance and self-care. I remember feeling so comforted when my Mum died and I felt so lost and then I heard her or sensed her telling me to light a candle and it helped. Lovely post and a brand worth looking into #ThatFridayLinky
I love candles! It’s relaxing, calming and raise vibration. Great post! Thank You
In susppose the great thing with candles is that they are accessable price wise and never let you down. Everyone is always happy to receive a decent one as a gift. Mich x
I love candles have them in all sorts of aromas and they never fail to relax me
I love candles in the bathroom and often light it when I have a bath, lemongrass is also one of my favourite scents
Interesting post. I especially your tips on candlelight meditation. I have to give that a try.
Wait, they have tobacco scent? Like, tobacco farm scent or the smell of cigars? My hubby loves the smell of tobacco farms because it reminds him of home on KY.
Hulu sound like a fantastic brand. I do love a candle, I have got quite the collection and love burning them.
I love candles and always have some on the go. Would love to start using more sustainable candles so will check out Hulu candles.
This is so interesting! I love to have a good couple of candles burning in the evening, especially when I’m going in the bath or doing some skin care routines!
I love candles! I’ve never heard of Hulu before though so I will definitely be checking them out. I know I always find my candle relaxing but never really thought of the extent of the benefits. Great post!
I never understood the candle thing…until I GOT the candle thing! Now I am obsessed, I do love a good candlelit bath, or a nice candlelit mediation session.
I love lighting candles, definitely help me to relax. Hulu look like they have some fantastic products.
I like candles especially the scented ones. Yankee candles are my favorite
I am also a huge candle fan. I have them everywhere. I absolutely agree about how calming and comforting they are. I have a fireplace in my living room that I love filling with candles and lighting them. It’s safer than a real fire, but gives a similar glow and effect. Candles are probably my biggest indulgence if I think about it.
I have tried Hopi ear candling a few times. The first time I was really skeptical about it. But it actually worked. I get it done every time I feel pressure in my sinuses now and it’s fab.
I’ll definitely check out the Hulu range. Thanks for sharing!
Omg stop it! I’ve been looking for soy candles. These sound amazing.
I adore candles, I’m always buying them, the ones with aromatherapy oils in are my favourites, not only do they make my home smell gorgeous, I feel like they’re doing me good as well. And yes, I did try a Hopi ear candling once, but didn’t really notice much effect so I’ll stick to burning them for fragrance and relaxation now 🙂 Great post, I’ll have to check Hulu out, thank you x
Candle fumes make me ill. Know I understand what to do about it. Thanks
Great post. I love a good candle definitely helps to relax and destress after a long day.
I love lighting candles in the evening, so relaxing! These Hulu candles sound lovely x
I love this, I have an unhealthy obsession with candles…guess it’s not as unhealthy as I think!
These candles look lovely! I’m a bit of a candle fanatic myself! Especially during the winter months, nothing nicer than a home glowing with candles!
YES!! We love candles is our house and I find that they do really help me unwind and relax xx
It was quite enlightening reading your article and noting all the different purposes that burning candles have. I’m always thinking in terms of relaxation and atmosphere. I wasn’t aware of the differences in the candle source either (soy, beeswax etc). Thanks for the added information. The next time I’m looking at candles I’ll think a little differently about them!
I love the feeling of lighting a scented candle. The way it lights off a room is as lovley as the subtle scent they have. It’s great for relaxation.
I enjoy candles to I find it quite relaxing when stressed, and so many fragrances to choose from, great blog post 🙂
Nic
I’ve never owned a scented candle before in my entire life! Some of my family relatives light candles whenever there are visitors but I never tried to buy one for relaxation purposes. I’m too scared too fall asleep (I’m a HEAVY sleeper when I want to be) and end up burning the house down!
Lovely post though, maybe instead of lighting them, I’ll just sniff and smell them instead? Lol ♡
—Athena Christy
I love candles for setting a calm and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for meditation or a guided journey.
I love candles! But I have not been using them as much as I want for months now. I definitely need to change that 🙂
I always love a nice candle and ones that deliver a great long lasting scent are always on the top of my list too!
They sound great, I love soy wax candles and tobacco and oak sounds like the scent of my dreams. I love woody and musky candles to make a room more cosy. I haven’t heard of Hulu candles before, I need to check them out x
Sophie
I love burning candles. It’s almost like a relaxation ritual, they always relax me especially if they’re scented too xo
Makeup Muddle
Hi there, have just found your blog through #ThatFridayLinky and have an affinity with the content as mental health and wellbeing are matters close to our hearts.
I have recently started blogging too and am taking great delight in reading all of the wonderful content out there, yours included.
Many thanks
Gareth
I’m absolutely candle obsessed but I’ve never heard of this brand – I’ll have to check them out, their scents sound amazing! Thanks for sharing! 😊
I definitely find that candles relax me and I think it boils down to the whole hygge affect. When I’m really feeling down I find that just watching a candle flickering helps to relax me a little. It’s crazy how something seemingly small can make a difference!
Coralle x
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