The best candles for working from home
The past year has seen more people than ever work from home. With the line between work life and home life blurred, more people than ever are also struggling with productivity, focus, relaxation, and anxiety.
There’s no shortage of apps, organization accessories, and pricey gadgets that promise to help you stay focused or de-stress. But you might find that you already own one of the most effective, tried-and-true tools for modulating mood and making your home a place where you can both work and relax—the scented candle.
How candles affect mood
Aromatherapy has long been used in naturopathic medicine and to promote wellness. When the right essential oil blends are diffused through natural, clean candles, they have the benefit of triggering parts of the brain that can improve mood, reduce fatigue and anxiety, and ease tension.
“Scents can have positive effects on mood, stress reduction, sleep enhancement, self-confidence, and physical and cognitive performance,” according to Theresa Molnar, executive director of the Sense of Smell Institute. Because of this, lighting the right candle throughout the day can help you power through long meetings, perk you up during an afternoon slump, and help you unplug and unwind at the end of a long day.
If you want to...focus, perk up, be alert and awake
Try: Citrusy, fruity scents like lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, orange, fresh fig, wild berries, and cucumber
Citrus scented candles—particularly those made with high concentrations of essential oils—pack an invigorating punch by awakening the senses and energizing the whole body. Fresh and fruity fragrance oils have been known to boost mood and enhance focus, making them the perfect scented candles to light at the start of the work day when you want to be alert, awake, and ready to take on the day.
Siblings recommends: Scent No 07
If you want to...manage stress, stay calm, and fight fatigue
Try: Floral, woody scents like white rose, eucalyptus, balsam, rosemary, sandalwood, cedar, and honeysuckle
When you’re stuck in high-pressure and stressful situations at work and need to take a breather, lighting a scented candle with floral or woody scents can help you stay calm and centered. Fragrance oils derived from rose, sandalwood, rosemary, and sage have been shown to reduce anxiety and even lower blood pressure, so the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, keep calm and light a clean scented candle.
Siblings recommends: Scent No 09
If you want to...unwind, relax, and get ready for bed
Try: Earthy and warming florals and spices like lavender, clove, cardamom, camomile, rose, and vanilla.
It can be hard to switch off after work, especially when your home and office are the same place. This is where aromatherapy can be helpful. By lighting candles enriched with comforting scents, you can send olfactory signals to your body that the work day is over and it’s time to relax. Calming scents such as lavender, rose, and camomile have been shown to reduce anxiety and even have sedative effects, so when it’s time to unwind, reach for these rich and warming florals and spices.
Siblings recommends: Scent No 05
