Why Sitting Fireside Can be Relaxing

CLICK HERE to download soundbites, b-roll, script and web article.

For download password, contact ccnewsservice@ccf.org.

CLEVELAND - Whether it’s under a starry sky on a summer night or as the snow falls in the winter, many people enjoy the simple pleasure of sitting fireside.

But, why is that?

“Sitting by a fire is a multi-sensory experience. We listen to the sound of the fire crackling, feel the warmth against our skin, inhale the aroma of the fire. All of these things help us to feel very comforted and relaxed,” said Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Albers said fire is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history, so it’s no surprise that many of us are drawn to the flames.

But it’s not just our ancestral past that plays a role, one study found that sitting by the fire as it crackles can lower blood pressure.

And that can make a person feel more relaxed and at ease.

It can also make us feel nostalgic.

Maybe it reminds you of camping as a kid and eating s’mores, or sipping on hot chocolate with your family at Christmas.

“All of these experiences and memories can trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, whether they're serotonin, dopamine, or endorphins. All of these are pleasure chemicals that help us to feel good and boost our mood,” said Dr. Albers.

She said there are other ways to get that comforting experience if you don’t have a fireplace at home.

Some options include playing a video of a fireplace on your TV, lighting some candles or hanging up some twinkling lights.