World Candle Lighting Day

Every second Sunday in December, on Worldwide Candle Lighting Day, families and friends gather to remember the children who died too young.

The Compassionate Friends founded Worldwide Candle Lighting Day. The organisation was founded over 40 years ago at the Warwickshire Hospital in England. Simon Stephens, a chaplain, had brought together two sets of bereaved parents who had just lost their children. He realised that their mutual support was more than he could provide to alleviate their suffering.

Candlelight vigils are held in churches, funeral homes, hospitals, schools, and community centres. The worldwide candle-lighting vigil creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves through the time zones. Some services are only attended by a few while others are attended by thousands.

Candles have been scientifically proven to relax us. Their gentle, hypnotic light makes them an ideal addition to any relaxation routine. Melt, on the other hand, takes the science of candles a step further by creating scented candles that are proven to change your mood.

"It is scientifically proven that scented candles can play an essential role in the physiological effects of mood, stress, working capacity, and overall mental health" Chryssa Chalkia, (cognitive behavioral & psychotherapist). 

The flame of a candle helps to soothe our soul, reducing stress and increasing self-awareness. The soft lighting allows us to relax and even enter a meditative state.

But how does a candle flame help us to relax and unwind?

The low light emitted by a candle is captured by your vision and sent directly to your brain for processing. Because of our associations with candlelight, the body begins to relax, which improves our emotional and physical well-being.

More energy, better sleep, improved immunity, less pain, and a more pleasant personality are some of the benefits of feeling more relaxed.

Our top 5 recommendations include;

Lavender contains linalool, a compound that could help to lower your blood pressure and reduce anxiety. You can light lavender-scented candles or use them in your bath as a way to relax before bed. It's also used in baby bath products.

Rosemary contains natural compounds and also has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Diffuse rosemary essential oil or use sprigs of fresh rosemary in potpourri to add this stress-reducing scent to your home.

Chamomile tea is traditionally drunk at bedtime to calm people down and help them sleep. Chamomile essential oil may also be used to help with digestive upset and pain. You can massage it into your skin or use it in a warm bath, but just a little at a time.

Jasmine oil, unlike lavender and chamomile, soothes without making you sleepy. Inhale jasmine oil directly from the bottle or apply a few drops to your skin. You can also use a diffuser or Jasmine candles to add the scent to rooms.

Bergamot According to a 2015 study, bergamot oil has a calming effect and may reduce anxiety. You can inhale the aroma by placing a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball. However, if you are going outside, do not apply it directly to your skin.

When you have a free night and don't know what to do, light a candle, relax, and treat yourself to a night free of drama.