In late October the year starts to speed up. School events, work parties and gift lists all arrive at once. The aroma candles Australia homes keep on a shelf can do one useful job here. They can give you a pause. It is a small thing, and it is easy to skip. Here is how to build one, and which scents suit it.

Aroma Candles Australia: Build a Five Minute Pause

Pick a moment that already happens every day. Try the minute the kettle boils, or the minute the kids are in bed. Light the candle then, every time.

Sit down for five minutes. Leave the list in another room. Many people find a small repeated habit feels calming, and the candle becomes the signal. Even a short pause counts. The point is to stop, not to do it perfectly. After the pause, keep the candle going while you wrap gifts or answer emails. Stay within the four hour limit the National Candle Association sets for one burn.

Aromatherapy Candles Australia: What To Expect

A candle will not treat stress or fix a busy week. Be wary of any label that says it will. What a candle can do is simpler, and it still matters.

• Make a room feel warm and welcoming.
• Mark the start of your pause.
• Fill the house with a scent you love.

Keep that in mind when you read a label or an advert. A good candle earns its place when it smells lovely and you light it often.

Glow has helped Australians scent their homes for 25 years. People burn a candle most when they link it to a habit, not when they save it for best.

Best Smelling Candles Australia: Choose by Mood

Smell is personal, so there is no single best answer. A few starting points help. Late October evenings can turn cool, and heatwaves are never far off. Keep one light scent and one warm scent in the house. On hot evenings, a light scent from the Fresh range can feel right. When you want something deep and warm, look at the Exotic range. Exotic is the family Glow uses for woody and amber scents.

Not sure what you like? The fragrance personality quiz narrows it down in a few minutes.

Quick answers

How long can you leave a candle burning?

Up to four hours at a time, then let it cool for at least two hours before relighting, says the National Candle Association. Put it out before you leave the room or go to bed.

What is the best scent for a calm moment?

There is no single answer, because smell is personal. Many people reach for warm woody or amber scents, or for fresh and floral ones. A short quiz can narrow it down.

The best pause is one you will actually keep. Start with a single evening this week. Choose a jar from the candles page, light it, and take your five minutes.

Related reading

• Aromatherapy Candles at Night: Light Early, Snuff Before Bed: a safe evening routine
• Candle Fragrance Ideas For A Calm Daylight Saving Evening: scents for lighter spring nights
• Aromatherapy Candle Set: A Wind Down Gift That Fits: a gift idea for someone who needs a break