Welcome to the era of the Feel-Good Home
Home has always been seen as a sanctuary. In a world that seems more stressful than ever, itʼs no wonder health and well-being at home have become must-haves. People are craving spaces that make them feel good, from spa-like bathrooms to backyard oasis. We couldnʼt help but wonder if we might be able to enhance the ways people rest, relax and rejuvenate. What if, through the power of fire, we could help to foster health and wellbeing at home?
Why is wellbeing so important?
People have been clocking the highest stress levels seen in decades. That stress will continue to have long-lasting health effects unless we can find ways to combat it. Let’s look at the current state of stress:
Stress is up
50% of people feel life is more stressful than before 2020.
Stress affects health
Prolonged, high stress can cause serious health issues such as heart disease.
People want relief
70% of people surveyed want to minimize daily stress.
What do fireplaces have to do with wellbeing?
We have always believed in the power of fire. To warm. To relax. To draw people together. Beyond the relaxation we all know, does fire have the power to make us feel better? We had to find out. We approached the Universities of Alabama and Illinois, two institutions leading the way in the study of health and well-being, and established endowments to help propel their research. In separate studies, a fireplace showed statistically significant impacts.
Fire Relaxes
At the University of Alabama, studies revealed that 15 minutes in front of a fireplace can actually lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate.
A fireplace can promote:
Physical Relaxation
Stress Relief
Reduced Risk of Stress-Related Health Issues
Fire Stimulates
At the University of Illinois, studies revealed that in front of a fire, overall cognitive performance improved by 12 percent, and adaptivity to enrichment-seeking activities (e.g. playing a game) increased.
A fireplace can promote:
Healthy Aging
Improved Cognitive Ability
Enrichment Seeking
* Please Note: These study reports are in peer review and are expected to be fully published in Fall 2023. In the interim, reference the research abstracts linked above.
The Fireplace Effect
A fireplace provides so much more than warmth. Sitting by a fireplace, even an electric one, can lower blood pressure and heart rate, helping with relaxation, and lowering the risk of stress-related health issues like heart disease. It can also support mental well-being, which is important as we age.
Researchers dubbed it The Fireplace Effect