According to a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), personal wellbeing throughout the UK has been on the decline as of March 2023. This shows the importance of creating a comfortable and safe environment that helps to look after and boost your wellbeing, especially in your home.
Incorporating natural mood boosters can have a significantly positive impact when considering ways to improve mental wellbeing at home. Fire can be hugely soothing, both in the sounds of the crackling as it burns and the warm glow it emanates onto your skin when you sit in front of one. In fact, a study from Christopher Lynn at the University of Alabama has even found that listening to crackling fires can help to reduce blood pressure with how relaxing they are.
So, how can you incorporate natural fire into your home to improve the mental wellbeing of you and your family or housemates? There are a couple of ways you can, with some different options.
Wood burning stoves – warm your home
One option for natural fires in your home that’s becoming more and more popular throughout the UK is log burners and stoves. They’re a good alternative to portable personal heaters that can add a more homely aesthetic and atmosphere to any room in a house.
Plus, with the evidence from studies mentioned that a crackling fire can help improve both physical and emotional wellbeing thanks to the reduction in systolic and diastolic pressure, you’re getting the added of positive changes to your health as well as warming through your home.
Dr. Rebekah Wanic, mindset psychologist, university lecturer, and self-optimisation coach at venttoreinvent.com, has offered some insight into the benefits of wood burning at home with a stove: “The presence of a fire in a wood burning stove or firepit provides a sense of comfort and relaxation.
Watching flames and listening to the crackling of wood can be meditative, reducing stress and anxiety. Firepits, in particular, create a gathering space for friends and family, promoting social interaction and bonding. This can enhance feelings of belonging and happiness.
“Both wood burning stoves and firepits provide warmth, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in a home or outdoor space. This can contribute to a sense of wellbeing, especially during colder months.”
Firepits – the social fire
An old saying is that “a problem shared is a problem halved”, and as Dr. Wanic outlined, socialising around a fire pit is a fantastic way to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression through the bonding and interaction that occurs around them.
Premade fire pits can cost anywhere from £100 to £2000, but there are cost-effective options where you can build them yourself. This means you can pick the materials for the optimal fire retardancy and the look you want for a custom result. There are also options when it comes to the fuels to create the fire, which can be gas-powered or kiln-dried hardwood.
Wood-fired hot tubs
For those looking to unwind from the stresses of life in a more luxurious way, wood-fired hot tubs are an option designed for relaxation. The sound of the logs crackling away, heating the water, and the steam rising from the surface creates an environment that allows participants to let go of the tension in their bodies and minds.
The main downside to this option is that it can cost as much as nearly £8000 for some models, which makes them not affordable for most. But, if you can make the most of it, you can get more than your money’s worth and benefit your wellbeing.
Dr. Wanic also stressed the positive of wood-fired hot tubs: “The warm water in a wood-fired hot tub can help relax muscles, alleviate pain, and soothe aches, contributing to overall physical wellbeing and similar to the psychological benefits of wood burning stoves and firepits, the experience of being in a wood-fired hot tub can reduce stress and anxiety, offering a tranquil escape from daily life.
“Exposure to warm water can help raise body temperature, which, when followed by a cool down period after exiting the tub, can facilitate easier sleep onset and improved sleep quality. Finally, using a wood-fired hot tub often involves being outdoors, which can increase exposure to fresh air and nature, further enhancing mental health and wellbeing.”
Pizza ovens – therapy through food
Discovering a new hobby can be an excellent way to improve mental health and wellbeing. Similarly, consuming delicious food can have a positive impact on our mood. One way to combine these two activities is by using a wood-burning pizza oven, which is becoming increasingly popular among food enthusiasts all over the UK. Whether you get one that uses wood burning, gas, or wood pellets, you can level up your home cooking and improve your confidence.
If you’re looking to improve your emotional wellbeing, using wood-burning appliances can be a great option. The sound of wood crackling in the stove, along with the heat it produces, it can provide natural warmth and kindle the sense of serenity that can benefit everyone.