The Health Benefits of a Fire
Monday, May 2, 2016
From Fires & Fireplaces
It’s official: Sitting in front of a fire can be good for your health.
A scientific study by a PhD student at the University of Alabama, obtained by Dimplex, reports “significant reduction in blood pressure when people watched footage of a fire on a computer screen.”
The findings, concluded from three separate trials across 226 adults, show that sitting in front of a fire projection with the sound of crackling logs “consistently produces reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.”
Participants were asked to watch videos of a hearth or campfire on a computer screen in a darkened room; their blood pressure was monitored before and after the trial. The greatest reductions in blood pressure were noted after watching footage with sound.
The report notes how the calming effect of fires can be traced back to prehistoric times, when “the flickering light, crackling sounds, warmth and distinctive smell are believed to have provided a relaxation effect that enhanced pro-social behavior.” Fire also extended the day, provided heat, helped with hunting, warded off predators and illuminated dark places for early humans.
Chris Stammers, Product Marketing director at Dimplex, said: “It has often been thought that fires can provide a relaxing effect and they are commonly used for that reason, from candles in a health spa to social gatherings around a campfire. However, this research proves the same effect can be achieved from fires in the home as well – even in the absence of real flames.
The report concludes that hearth and campfires induce relaxation as part of a multisensory, absorptive and social experience. It proves that video footage of a fire, particularly when combined with sound, can reduce blood pressure and improve our well being.”
“It’s a fascinating insight for us at Dimplex,” said Stammers, “with a vast range that includes solid fuel stoves and innovative electric fire technologies such as the Opti-V range, which combines the illusion of real flames with the sound of crackling logs.”
