You know all too well the stresses of juggling soccer practices, school events, and family obligations. When coming home from a long day, the last thing you want is to feel like you're walking into chaos instead of relaxation. That's where aromatherapy comes in – and your trusty Lily Ladue candles will be your new favorite treatment for stress.
The Harmful Effects of Stress
Stress has become an integral part of modern life, with most people experiencing it on a daily basis. However, chronic stress can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. Studies have shown that prolonged stress can lead to sleep disorders, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It can even weaken the immune system.
One of the most significant consequences of poor stress management is sleeping badly. It can lead to daytime fatigue, reduced productivity, and an increased risk of accidents at home or in the workplace. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver fatigue is a leading cause of car accidents. It accounts for approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually in the United States. Plus, lack of sleep just feels awful, right?
Generalized anxiety disorder is linked with all sorts of severe physical ailments. Anxiety and stress activate the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. This leads to the release of cortisol and other stress hormones from the adrenal glands. It also stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. This raises heart rate and blood pressure, preparing the body for action. This is part of the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, and may save your life if, say, a grizzly bear charges at you. But it needs to be kept in check the rest of the time (the HPA axis, not the bear). Otherwise, it can weaken your immune system. That can lead to ulcers of the mouth (canker sores) and stomach, and flare-ups of any underlying viruses, such as colds and flu and others we won't mention. Severe generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include hypertension (high blood pressure), atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Perhaps most worrying of all, it can also make you fat. The Germans have a word for it: 'kummerspeck', literally 'grief bacon'.
The Ancient Wisdom of Aromatherapy
Lily Ladue candles draw on a rich and ancient tradition. Ancient Egyptians inhaled cedarwood, myrrh, juniper, and frankincense oil for their healing properties. The first-century Greek physician and pharmacologist Dioscorides discussed the medicinal value of various inhaled substances in his work De Materia Medica. Meanwhile, in the ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda, fragrances such as sandalwood essential oil and lavender essential oil have been used since about 3500 BC. They balance the body's doshas (vital energies), promote mental clarity, reduce anxiety, and enhance emotional well-being. This practice continues today, as you will know if you are one of the millions of people worldwide who practice yoga. Aromatherapy has been used in Chinese medicine dating back to at least the 4th century BC. The use of substances like jasmine oil to reduce stress and anxiety was documented in the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), which also gave us yin and yang (remember the 90s?).
During the Middle Ages, certain essential oils were added to candles used in churches, monasteries, and, presumably, chill-out rooms throughout Europe. Monks recognized the benefits of aromatherapy (along with beer and cheese) and burned fragrant plant materials like rosemary and lavender oil. This created a peaceful, spiritual atmosphere during prayers and meditation. In the Renaissance, trade routes expanded and new substances became available. Orange essential oil, lemon essential oil, bergamot essential oil, and jasmine essential oil were used to craft luxurious candles for royalty and the wealthy. The industrialization of the 18th and 19th centuries made it easier to use essential oils, and candles became more affordable and consistent in quality.
The term aromatherapy dates back to 1937, when the French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé published his influential book Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales. He argued that the molecules that produce a plant's fragrance are, in fact, hormones that can be harnessed for the benefit of body and mind. Since then, aromatherapy has become one of the most well-known and popular alternative medicines. It is particularly used as a treatment to relieve stress. The invention of paraffin wax in the early 20th century allowed candle makers to popularize fragrant candles for home use. Today, the best candles, such as those offered by Lily Ladue, use traditional essential oils and modern fragrance oils. They are blended with a carrier oil, as essential oils are highly concentrated, and combined with soy wax for a clean burn and an even distribution of fragrance.
How Aromatherapy for Stress Relief Works
The ability of pleasant smells to help combat stress makes sense when you consider human evolution. Like other animals, our sense of smell is linked to our limbic system. It controls primal emotions like fear, pleasure, and anger. It is this neurological link that explains why a herd of deer will flee in panic at the slightest whiff of a predator. It's our limbic system that repels us from spoiled food, rotting corpses, and other sources of contamination. On the other hand, pleasant smells have a unique ability to evoke good memories for the benefit of our health and well-being. On a deep evolutionary level, we associate the smell of sea air, flowers, and clean linen (all Lily Ladue fragrances, by the way) with safe and nurturing environments. Lighting a candle taps into this system. It eases symptoms related to stress with measurable and potentially life-lengthening benefits. It enhances your mood, improves your sleep, and even reduces aches and pains.
Candles offer a unique way to experience aromatherapy and relieve anxiety. Unlike diffusers or sprays, scented candles provide a warm and comforting glow. This creates a truly effective atmosphere for stress relief and won't irritate your skin, which is a risk when applying essential oils to your skin.
At Lily Ladue, our 100% soy wax candles ensure a clean and even burn of up to 80 hours. We offer a wide range of unique and soothing fragrances. They are specifically designed to help with stress and promote relaxation and well-being. Fragrances such as lavender essential oil and jasmine essential oil are traditionally associated with stress relief. You should also try warm cinnamon buns for a yummy and comforting experience, and clean cotton for that nostalgic smell of a happy home.
Our candles also make great gifts for friends and family members who want to relieve the symptoms of stress. With their elegant packaging, longevity of up to 80 hours, and soothing fragrances, they're sure to be appreciated by anyone who receives them.
Applying Aromatherapy for Relaxation
Now, let's talk about how you can use aromatherapy to create a calming oasis in your own home. The key is to choose scents that evoke relaxation and serenity. First, choose a quiet space. Find a room where you can minimize distractions and focus on relaxation. Incorporate plush pillows, blankets, and rugs for a comfortable and inviting space. Play calming music that can help you unwind and enter a state of relaxation. Alternatively, run a bath or find a spot in the garden.
Next, choose your candle. Select a scent that resonates with you and your mood. For example, try palo santo and patchouli for the heavenly combination of bright and citrusy palo santo and dark, earthy patchouli. It is perfect for unwinding after collecting the kids from soccer practice. Its soothing aroma can help reduce anxiety and promote deep breathing. Eucalyptus, with its refreshing, minty notes, can invigorate your senses and clear your mind of the day's troubles so that you can enjoy time with friends or a good book. Lavender is a classic choice used in aromatherapy to help relieve insomnia, but you should also try apple and maple bourbon (with or without a glass of actual bourbon!).
A bath is always a good way to manage stress. If enjoying a long soak, try lighting a santal and coconut candle. The rich, warm, woody, and distinctly sweet fragrance of the sandalwood mixes wonderfully with the creamy, tropical smell of the coconut oil. It transports you to a white sandy beach on a balmy evening. Alternatively, try our beach linen candle. This combines fragrances including clove leaf, cananga flower, and sweet orange essential oil. It conjures the clean, calming scent of line-dried laundry gently billowing in the seaside breeze.
If you prefer the cool, crisp air and wide views of the Appalachians, try lighting the fall Fraser fir candle. Experience top notes of cypress and lemon zest. They melt into darker mid notes of evergreen and cedar. This works particularly well in the garden and will cool your overheating brain, bringing your stress levels right down.
How to Help Loved Ones Reduce Anxiety
Stress is something a lot of people ignore, sometimes with fatal consequences. We tell ourselves that it is normal, or we pretend not to be affected. Meanwhile, the people around us can see all too clearly the harm being done. If someone you care about is in bad need of a natural remedy for stress, then consider giving the gift of a scented candle. Lily Ladue candles smell lovely. They are also long-lasting and beautiful. They have wooden vessels and up to six wicks. They are truly mesmerizing and add a peaceful vibe to your decor even when unlit. They look great in the living room or bedroom, but work equally well in the bathroom or garden. They are not overly feminine, so they are a great gift for men. Your husband will love the masculine aroma of mahogany and teakwood, which is the perfect accompaniment to a glass of scotch (but just the one!). Once the candle is finished, the stylish vessel can be repurposed as an ornamental dish for keys, coins, and so on.
Stress is not something you should simply tolerate, whether in your own life or a loved one's. You must do what you can to reduce anxiety symptoms, as they can literally shorten your life. Fortunately aromatherapy can help. Lighting a Lily Ladue candle is an easy and effective way to reduce stress and promote relaxation in your daily life. By harnessing the power of candles and carefully crafted scents, you can create a tranquil oasis that's all your own. So go ahead – light up your Lily Ladue candle, take a deep breath, and let the soothing aroma transport you to a state of calm and serenity. Your stressed-out self will thank you!
