How Scented Candles Can Help You While Studying
How does our sense of smell work?
Without realizing it, we are smelling things all day long. When we enter a place that smells pleasant, we tend to feel comfortable more quickly than in a place with an unpleasant odor. When buying a personal care product, one of the first things you do, even before purchasing it, is smell it. If you do not like the scent, chances are you will not buy the product.
We smell with our nose, right? If your answer is yes, we unfortunately have to disappoint you. The perception and recognition of scent actually happens in the brain. Our nose is a collection point of receptors. These are cells that act as filters and transmitters for scent molecules. They are directly connected to our brain, more specifically to the limbic system. Coincidentally, this is also the part of the brain responsible for experiencing and regulating emotions. So it is not just a feeling that scents and emotions are closely connected.
Fiberglass wicks, on the other hand, are ideal in oil lamps and garden torches. There, the wick is intended not to burn up immediately with the fuel.
Cotton wicks char faster than fiberglass wicks. Once the wax quality of the candle does not match the thickness of the wick, this will result in a flickering and smoking flame.
Because we use only the best quality candle wax and wicks, this does not occur with our scented candles.
The effect of scent on our emotions and psyche
Sound and visual impressions are filtered by the thalamus before they reach the brain. Scents are not. They enter the limbic system unfiltered. This explains why a scent can suddenly evoke an emotion or memory without you being able to explain why. For many people, the smell of freshly baked bread or cookies evokes a feeling of comfort and safety.
In almost all cultures, it is well known that scents can influence your mood. This does not only apply to cleansing scents, but also to fragrances that enhance concentration. Research has shown that the scents of jasmine, rosemary and cinnamon, for example, improve brainwave activity. They promote alertness, making it easier to focus.
Is burning a scented candle a form of aromatherapy?
If we accept that scents influence emotions, then scented candles do play a role in aromatherapy. In therapeutic settings, essential oils are usually used in oil burners. In principle, however, you can achieve a similar effect with a non-chemical scented candle.
Which aromas are used in From Victoria with Love scented candles?
Teakwood has a soft, woody scent with a subtle hint reminiscent of leather. The fragrance has a calming and clarifying effect and helps you work in a structured way. The woody aroma can be associated with a historic library filled with rustic leather chairs and large wooden bookcases.
Patchouli is a fragrance note that initially evokes green leaves. The scent is sweet and slightly heavy. Many people associate patchouli with sensual emotions. In aromatherapy, it is used to relieve a heavy feeling and to help improve mood.
Tonka bean has a sweet aroma with hints of vanilla, clove, cinnamon and almond. It is a pleasant scent with a slightly exotic character, perfect for the free-spirited student.
Can burning a scented candle help you study better?
Especially if you are in your first year or have just moved into a new student apartment, it can sometimes be difficult to concentrate. Everything is new: your school, your room and perhaps you even have to share your living space. To make your new place feel like home, you may have brought personal items from your family home. Sometimes, however, these are not enough to make you feel completely at ease. The space smells different. While studying, your thoughts keep drifting. Because your brain receives unfamiliar signals through your sense of smell, focusing on your studies becomes more difficult.
Did you know this can be easily solved by burning a scented candle? Perhaps you used scented candles at home as well. In that case, choosing a familiar fragrance can quickly make you feel at ease. Buy a candle with the same scent and within minutes you will feel your brain begin to relax.
If your familiar environment did not have a distinct scent, discover which fragrance works best for you. A blend of cedar, musk and bergamot, our Rebel scent, is easily accepted by the brain, as is amber, musk and woody notes from our Rozen collection. Both are subtle and non-overpowering scents. The candle spreads a light fragrance that gently clears your mind. You will soon notice that studying becomes significantly easier when these scents are present.
What else makes studying easier?
Even though housekeeping is not a favorite task for most students, studying is simply easier in a tidy environment. In a space that is fully personalized to you, productivity increases. This is partly due to a pleasant scent, but also because:
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You have everything you need within reach, such as writing tools, chargers or your iPad. Use attractive boxes or baskets as organizers. When you do not have to search for things, you stay focused on what you are doing.
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You avoid distractions from other people. If you share a room, make sure you have a screened-off corner to limit interaction. Putting your phone on silent also helps.
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You work with lighting that does not strain your eyes. Daylight is best. Avoid bright sunlight, as it can make you sleepy. Choose a light source that mimics daylight.
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You make sure you are not too cold or too warm and that you are not distracted by hunger. Having something to eat or having already eaten before studying is essential for concentration.
Scents that stimulate memory
Any scent that reduces stress also supports memory. One leads to the other. When your mind is free from intrusive thoughts, concentration problems fade away quickly. Scents that are particularly effective for brain function are soft aromas. Which ones work best varies from person to person. The most important thing is that they are scents you feel comfortable with. Ideally, they should not make you sneeze or cause your thoughts to drift to your last romantic holiday.
The most popular study scents from From Victoria with Love are:
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Rebel, a subtle blend of cedar, musk and bergamot
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Rozen, a slightly stronger combination of amber, musk and woody notes
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Victoria, our ultra-feminine fragrance of teak, tonka bean and patchouli
These scents are also available as affordable refill candles.
Why choose From Victoria with Love scented candles?
As soon as you browse through the From Victoria with Love collection, you will notice it immediately: our candles look more beautiful and luxurious than standard scented candles. And they truly are. All our candles are completely handmade. Even the Victoria glass candle holders are mouth-blown. Additionally, we use only natural raw materials. The wick is made of 100 percent cotton and the wax composition is fully organic. All this effort would be pointless if chemicals were used in production. That is why no chemical processes are involved in obtaining or blending our fragrances.
You can choose from three different candle sizes with diameters of 26, 13.5 and 9.5 cm. Refills are compatible with the Glossy, Velvet and Hairy collections. Because each mouth-blown candle holder has its own unique shape, refills are unfortunately not available for these. If you would like more information on how aroma candles can help you study, or if you are interested in becoming a commercial partner, do not hesitate to contact us.
3 Tips to Enjoy Your Scented Candle for as Long as Possible
Of course, you want your aroma candle to last as long as possible. To achieve this, it is important to burn it correctly. You want to avoid the candle drowning itself or producing smoke.
Tip 1
When lighting the candle for the first time, let it burn for at least two hours. This allows the wick to become fully saturated with wax and fragrance.
Tip 2
Always burn the candle for at least thirty minutes or until the top layer has fully melted. If you burn it for a shorter time, a so-called crater or tunnel can form. Unmelted edges create a crater that may later melt and cause the flame to drown. Repeated short burn times significantly reduce the lifespan of your candle.
Tip 3
The best way to extinguish a scented candle is with a candle snuffer or by gently dipping the wick. Blowing it out or using a cap can cause the wick to smoke, which affects the fragrance and may damage the candle. Use a stick or tweezers and straighten the wick afterward so the candle can be easily relit and form a beautiful, even melt pool next time.