A quick tip for the shorter days of winter.
In Michigan, it’s early March before I can feel the uplifting power of added sunlight from the days growing longer.
Until then candles and art become more powerful.
Here's 5 reasons why:
1.Create the mood that matches your needs
Candles will instantly set the tone of your room through scent and light while art changes your space through color and texture.
When you pair art and candles their power magnifies ... and depending on your mood change it any way you want ... on the spot!
Energetic scents like eucalyptus or mint paired with lively colors like red and yellow will uplift your mood. Consider adding their energy in active rooms such as your kitchen or a rousing game room.
Candles and art erase worry and frustrations
In my kitchen, all it takes is for me to light a cinnamon scented candle paired with colorful art and quickly I’ve got a tap-dancing beat in my feet.
An immediate pick-me-up.
Whereas soothing scents like lavender or sandalwood mixed with easy-on-the-eyes neutrals will create a calming mood for you.
It's the perfect pair for bedrooms and reading rooms.
While taking a nightly bubble bath alongside a glowing lemon-bergamot candle I gaze at art. It's the perfect end to my day. Pure heaven.
2.Transform your mindset
You perceive 80% of all impressions through your sense of sight.
And gazing at the gentle flicker of a candle flame has been shown to help relax your mind and body. While the colors and motif of a painting can draw you in and change your mindset, too.
By pairing art and candles you’ll find yourself literally and metaphorically escaping.
Get a mental shift immediately
I encourage you to walk with me, up this path and in this quiet moment you'll find peace every time.
3.Set a Ritual
Rituals give you an anchor to hang onto. Patterns and habits can create a much-needed tone to your day.
Let lighting a candle and gazing at art become your trigger.
(A trigger marks the start of the action you want to occur. Click here to read more.)
Trigger = Ritual
Although I paint, surprisingly I spend a lot of time pecking at my laptop. Since tech does not come to me instinctively, I count on the candle scent of Jasmine. Once lit the hint of sweet mixed with a touch of wilderness triggers a calmness that lets me dive in and tackle the keyboard.
4.Link to memories
Candles and art can stimulate a memory in your brain through the limbic system, the part of the brain that is home to your emotions and memories.
Scent, emotion, and memory are inexplicitly intertwined and you can use them to your advantage.
Fond Memories
For two weeks every August my brother and I piled into the backseat of our non air-conditioned Chevy Bel Air. To fight off the sweltering Detroit heat we'd crank down the windows as we journeyed to Traverse City, Michigan eagerly awaiting a dip in cool Elk Lake. To this day, those fond memories and scents of the shoreline packed with birch and fir trees inspire me.
5.Reduce Stress
Need to declutter your brain from the day’s activity?
As your brain progresses scents and art, hormones like serotonin and dopamine are produced to help relax and de-stress you.
When you feel less stressed, you instantly feel more focused and are happier in every aspect of your life.
Surprises can be have a positive effect
There's no better way for me to enhance a stress-releasing candlelight dinner than tucking in a piece of art to help me escape. Try it, you'll like it.
Although the shortest day is behind us, and longer daylight is on the horizon, this in-between time is the perfect opportunity to pair candles and art together.
Let the magic of pairing art and candles happen.
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