When you get a spa treatment, there's a good chance there's a scented candle burning. Or maybe the lotion is scented, or a scented oil is used somewhere in the process. This isn't done haphazardly. These fragrances are designed to help you relax and enjoy the serenity of the treatment - and there's science to back it up, too.
Just like its been shown that painting the walls in your home certain colors can bring out certain feelings (my husband informed me that he needed to paint his office green so he could be more creative), specific fragrances have been known to make us behave in certain ways, too.
So can a candle really help you focus when you need it most? Science says "yes". Scents can easily hack into the part of your brain responsible for your moods, emotions and memories, so why not harness that power to your benefit?
the Focus candle by Standard Wax
When you don't have the luxury of hiring a personal aromatherapy expert (or even if you do!) look no further than this collection of candles designed to help you tackle your to-do list, wake up without coffee, chill the eff out, and boost your mood.
Tackle the do-do list
The main ingredient in the Focus fragrances is eucalyptus. I know what you're thinking. You're imagining this goo your mom used to have you rub on your chest when you were sick. This is NOT THAT. This is super fresh, green, subtle, earthy eucalyptus. It smells so incredibly fresh and green.
Eucalyptus scents have been shown to clear your mind and bring clarity and focus. Its also a stimulant, meaning its going to give you that little extra boost you need to tackle your to-do list. Its what's called a vasodilator, which is a fancy science word to describe something that increases blood flow. While you aren't applying the oil directly to the body, the essence can have the same effect. More blood flow = more blood to the brain = more brain power. Boom.
Boost your mood
The Happy candle is chock full of Neroli, which comes from the blossoms of an citrus tree. Now, I'm not going to claim that this candle can cure depression, because that would be insane. However, this oil is very widely known to say "see ya" to sadness. In general, its uplifting and known to create joy.
In other Neroli news, it's also super great at driving away stinky smells. If you made something delicious for dinner, but the smells of those spices are lingering in your kitchen, this candle can certainly help save the day.
Chill the eff out
This might be the one you're most familiar with. The Calm candle is composed of Lavender and Chamomile oils, which are both used very traditionally for stillness and relaxation. A few deep breaths of this candle can easily center your thoughts, and still your racing mind and/or body. It also induces sleepiness, so its a great option for your pre-bed routine. Going from 100mph straight down to 0 can be shocking to your system. Try relaxing with a Calm candle and a few deep breaths before diving into your nightly routine,
Wake up without coffee
You're going to want to light this little guy as you're making your morning coffee (or if you hit a mid-day wall at your desk...). The main fragrance in the Awake candle is Ylang Ylang, an intoxicating floral fragrance that's easy to fall in love with. The Ylang Ylang tree makes these beautiful flowers, and the oil is extracted from them to create the fragrance.
Because of its tropical vibes, this candle is a great pick me up, without the jitters you'd get from caffeine.
All candles are available at standardwax.com or through select stockists