Incense has been used since about 6000 years ago. Most religions still use incense in their practice, and it is still widely used in aromatherapy today because it is believed that inhaling fragrant smoke can provide many benefits. When it comes to personal use, people seem to be enjoying using incense in their homes now as well as ever, and there are 4 key reasons for that.
1. Personal Values
Even though a lot of people that use incense in their homes aren’t doing it for a strict religious reason, it still holds meaning for them. As the people behind thehippiehouse.com.au explain, kindness, love, peace, karma, and environmental consciousness are deeply integrated into something like this, and those are the things people really care about. Burning incense can be symbolic of those values, and, as a result, people enjoy using it. It’s a way to ground and refocus themselves on things that really matter to them, and since the lingering scent of incense lets them feel connected to those ideals throughout the day.
Of course, as it was stated before while burning incense can be a way to express your spirituality in a non-religious context, it can, of course, also be used when practicing your religion at home as well. Some religions only allow the use of certain types of incense, but people that practice Hinduism (which is still very popular in today’s world) or other Eastern religions, will often burn incense to worship. Depending on the religion or belief system, it can be used to cleanse the home, the body, or the people who are participating in the ritual – or it can hold an entirely different meaning.
2. Relaxation
The sense of smell is often under-appreciated when it comes to our daily lives. Even though many people claim they can’t live without their sense of sight, hearing, or touch (especially) there are some distinct benefits associated with the olfactory system. One of these is that it can be used to induce relaxation or stress relief. Many doctors will recommend the use of aromatherapy and essential oils to induce a sense of calm. This can be beneficial for those living in urban areas as well as those living in the country.
Certain scents are associated with memories, and since it is such a personal experience to relive those memories, it produces a deeply relaxing effect on the body. Of course, if you’re looking for an even greater benefit than this, burning incense can be used together with aromatherapy. The subtle burning of the incense that hangs in the air can really help you to relax and calm down, meaning it’s a great way to wind down after a hard day at work.
3. Pleasant Atmosphere
Feeling comfortable in your own home is important. When it comes to home decor, many people are happy to get new furniture or rearrange their rooms entirely in order to get the best possible atmosphere. While those are important as well, a big part of how a home feels is the pleasant scents that hang in the air. Whether those scents are from some delicious food cooking, or just a sweet-smelling incense that’s burning throughout the day (or night), it contributes to this one-of-a-kind feeling of comfort and warmth.
Whether you want your dinner guests to feel more at ease as they come in from the cold, or you just want to feel more at home when you’re watching TV on your couch after a long day of work, the atmosphere in your home is important. Since incense comes in many different scents you can pick them that suit your mood and the situation. Whether it’s calming lavender, sweet sandalwood, or uplifting lemongrass. That way, you can set the mood you want to set, whenever you need to.
4. Practice Mindfulness
The last reason that incense is still so popular today has to do with mindfulness. Mindfulness means paying attention to your body, your surroundings, and your thoughts in the present moment without judgment. It’s a way of living life more fully by being aware of what you are thinking and feeling at all times instead of letting those things pass by without processing them. Many people find that they can practice mindfulness through meditation, yoga, or personal reflection time. Others simply do it when they’re trying to relax and clear their mind for the day – as many of us do at night before bedtime.
Incense is often used during these practices because of its ability to create a soothing atmosphere. It can help you to feel more at ease or focused on what you’re doing. If you burn incense every time you want to meditate, your mind will start making the connection between the two, and you may find yourself more easily able to slip into a mindful state on your own.
As you can see, incense has been around for a very long time and there are many good reasons why it is still popular today. Whether you want to create a comfortable atmosphere in your home or wind down after a hard day at work, the sense of smell will help you do just that. In addition, practicing mindfulness through meditation is another great way to make use of incense and reap the benefits associated with it. So if you’re looking for a new and interesting way to relax – try burning some incense! You may be surprised at just how much it helps.