5 Candles to Elevate Your Self-Care Rituals
Few things exist that feel as good as a walk in the woods.
The trees cast dancing shadows as their limbs sway far above the lush earth under our feet. The aromas of the forest envelop our senses and we take special notice of the buoyant song of the birds, the shifting sunlight on our skin. Our worldly problems ease, and our hearts expand to fill the world around us - we connect with the smallest details, taking special interest in the patterns of a snail shell, or a particularly attractive leaf.
There is something nearly spiritual, transformative about the experience that evokes a wholly separate state of mind. This is the singular power of the ritual - which has persisted in various forms across centuries and cultures precisely because humans beings need it.
A ritual is the ceremonial practice of being present in the moment - it is forging thoughtful connections with our bodies, our minds and our surroundings. A ritual can be as simple as brewing a cup of tea or focusing on a deep breath. Slow and unhurried activities like these enable ourselves to think more creatively, encourage a positive mental wellbeing, demonstrate more love for those around us, approach challenges with more grace, and make space to appreciate the small yet magnificent beauty that resides in the mundane.
Here are 5 ways to incorporate rituals into your daily routine - and the best natural candles to light alongside them.
Get up and stretch:
Stretching counteracts the effects of the day, whether we have been sitting at a desk for hours, working on our feet, or managing the stresses of a hectic schedule. Incorporating quick stretches into your day eases the body and mind. Better yet - yoga has been proven to calm the mind, lower blood pressure, and slow the heart rate, while supporting joint strength and decreasing cortisol levels in the brain. Engage in a mindful conversation with your body and Burn our citrus enriched FOCUS organic candle with your next yoga session to promote balance and increase circulation.
Indulge in a bath:
Sylvia Plath once said, “There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.” Studies show that a bath is often a meditative, therapeutic experience - a place to do some of our most profound and unhurried thinking free from distractions or demands. Spend some time daydreaming and allowing your mind to wander. Feel the warm water cradling you like a mother's embrace, and watch the steam billow softly as the world melts away. The uplifting and neuroprotective rose and mint in our AMARÉ aromatic candle will set the tone.
Eat more fruits and vegetables:
Support a good mood with good food. Not only do fruits and vegetables provide a wealth of necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but studies point to a link between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and better mental health. Nutritious diets are associated with lower rates of depression, and promote feelings of wellbeing. Our PROTECT organic candle supports you from the inside out with its vibrant notes of basil and sweet orange, and their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory benefits.
Get into nature:
Spending time in nature is a well-known antidote for stress: it can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. When a walk in the woods is not possible, burning our MOJO forest bathing candle is the next best thing. Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, literally ‘forest bath’, MOJO is formulated to replicate the experience of breathing in the fresh air of the woods - rich in the same phytoncides that help protect trees from bacteria and fungus.
Get enough sleep:
Sleep, which occupies approximately one-third of the lives of human beings, is essential for our mental and physical health and wellbeing. Cultivate your sleep routine - set a consistent wind-down time and avoid the harsh light of screens, which are proven to increase alertness and diminish our ability to fall and stay asleep. Opt instead for soft bedside lighting, a comforting book, and our UNWIND candle’s gentle lavender aroma - a multitude of studies have concluded that inhaling lavender improves sleep quality, combats insomnia, calms the mind, and promotes relaxation. Just make sure to extinguish your candle when you are ready to turn in for the night.
