Wellness Gifting - Candles and Beyond 

Sauna Aromatherapy Candles are candles and fragrances designed by mental health professionals to help individuals in times of crisis find resourcing for ailments like chemical addictions, anxiety, depression, palliative illness, and stress. Recent literature in research points to mindfulness practices being a crucial component in helping alleviate symptoms of distress in individuals experiencing emotional and psychological stress - this can include anything from terminal illness to the lasting psychological effects of trauma. 

Aromatherapy candles act as a simple reminder to set daily intentions and to remain grateful despite mental hardship. Their purpose is to help create a sensual experience when practicing mindfulness through developing the coping skills needed to remain centered, balanced, and compassionate. 

Message from the creator: 

"This life can be extraordinarily giving and extraordinarily painful. How you make meaning of the simple things like family, gratitude, and friends is how you find clarity in the chaos and pain. Setting an intention each morning or night, with a beautiful candle can be a small reminder of how powerful the practice of gratitude can be for purpose making and discovering who you truly are. Set your eyes on thankfulness and you will find everlasting joy." 

About the Creator: 

Paige Swanson is an entrepreneur and training clinician with experience in treating opioid addictions and eating disorders. Paige Swanson focuses on writing about topics in mental health, wellness, and empowerment. Her clinical work focuses on creating a therapeutic relationship that is strong enough to withstand trauma, loss, addiction, and palliative illness. She believes in the distinct power of conscious consumerism and mindfulness during times of pain to help conquer any of life's hardships. 

Sauna has three fragrances: mon cheri, fleur sauvage and angels wings. 

(please visit our website to discover fragrance descriptions: www.paigeswanson.com) The candles are hand-poured candles made from soy wax and curated fragrance oils like amber, sandalwood, vanilla, oakmoss, wildflowers, and blackberries. 

All of the candles are aesthetically designed in contemporary porcelain jars with screen prints of contemporary artworks embedded on the jar.  The minimalistic design of each candleholder represents the essential essence of taking the time to set an intention and to enjoy the intricate details in life. The calming flow of abstract artwork and distinct patterns allows the individual to truly connect and create a lasting experience that is a token of their recovery. 

The Wellness Gifting Industry 

The market size of mental health products is booming with candle sales also being a leader in the gift-giving industry. With the recent current events of COVID-19, now more than ever, we need products in the market that are meant to remind people of their worth, their life, and the power of gratitude.  

The candle industry is a 3.14 billion dollar industry annually (Mintel, 2013) and the mental health industry is a 24.2 billion dollar industry with substance abuse combined. The worsening opioid crisis and some general destigmatization of mental health have increased the profit numbers with more people seeking treatment. 

These candles are a tool that individuals in recovery can use as tokens for their achievement in eating disorder addiction, substance abuse recovery, or overcoming palliative illness. 

A Look into the Future of Wellness Gifting 

With COVID-19, the worsening opioid crisis, and mass amounts of grief and loss, now is the time to set your eyes on mindfulness, belonging and psychosocial supportive measures to help create a culture of community and peace within our local social spheres. With so many people in crisis, taking care of our mental and spiritual self is of the utmost importance. The purpose of sauna therapy will start with candles to help spread joy and remind individuals to remain mindful of their intentions each day. 

However, wellness gifting could be a huge untapped market to help give light to our communities.  For instance, the gifting industry in 2019-2020 rose in demand for specialized products cultivating an annual revenue of 22 billion in consumer sales. And the wellness industry itself, or the 'feelings economy,' makes up a trillion-dollar market. Clearly, the demand for 'feeling good' is on the rise. 

Our Mission: 

It is our mission, to begin with, candles, and end with more therapeutically inspired products to help with relaxation, mindfulness, and self-care that will influence and decrease symptoms of the stress connected to our immune system and autonomic nervous system. Ultimately, creating a culture for individuals to take care of themselves and stay safe and healthy across all domains of life: occupational, social and personal. 

The purpose will be to make self-care, relaxation, and gratitude 'the new normal' for individuals as we encounter this transition into a brand new society.