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5 Reasons to light up your life with candles and art

Updated: Jan 3

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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