Named after the Himalayan Mountain range in Asia, the Himalayan salt lamp is made from pink Himalayan salt and has plenty of spiritual benefits. The salt lamp is composed primarily of sodium, which the body requires for a variety of essential functions.
Are you thinking about investing in a Himalayan salt lamp this year? Keep reading to find out five Himalayan salt lamp spiritual benefits and how to use your salt lamp most effectively.
What are Himalayan Salt Lamps?
Himalayan salt lamps are decorative lamps made from a large chunk of Himalayan salt mined from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan. The lamps are made by cutting out the center of a salt crystal and placing a light source inside.
Many people find that Himalayan salt lamps offer benefits like improved air quality, reduced allergens, and the creation of a calming atmosphere. The salt lamps come in various sizes and shapes, including small bedside lamps and larger, more elaborate designs.
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How do Himalayan Salt Lamps Work?
Himalayan salt lamps work by emitting a soft glow and releasing detoxifying chemicals into the air that improve health and well-being. Here’s a full breakdown of the process behind the benefits of Himalayan salt lamps:
Salt Crystal: The lamp is made from a large piece of Himalayan salt known for its pinkish color from the presence of iron oxide. Like we mentioned, these salt crystals are typically mined from underground salt deposits in the Himalaya Mountains in Asia.
Hollowed Center: The salt crystal is hollowed out to create space for a light inside. The hollowing process is usually done by hand to preserve the natural shape and texture of the salt crystal.
Light Source: Most Himalayan salt lamps use a small light bulb or LED bulb to illuminate the crystal from within, while other lamps use a small candle placed inside the hollowed-out center instead. When the light source is turned on, it shines through the translucent salt crystal for a warm glow.
Heat Generation: The salt crystal is gradually warmed as the light bulb or candle heats up. This warmth can cause the crystal to release moisture absorbed from the surrounding air, a process known as hygroscopy.
Ambient Lighting: The ambient light emitted by the Himalayan salt lamp creates a cozy and relaxing atmosphere in the room. Many people use these lamps for decorative purposes or to enhance the ambiance of their living spaces.
Himalayan Salt Lamp Spiritual Benefits
There’s no questioning the spiritual benefits of Himalayan salt lamps, and there are so many that we couldn’t list them all in this article. Here’s the top Himalayan salt lamp spiritual benefits you’ll find.
Air Purification
When a Himalayan salt lamp is heated by the light bulb or candle inside, it releases negative ions into the air. These are molecules that gain an extra electron and are abundant in natural environments like forests, waterfalls, and oceans. Negative ions attach themselves to positively charged particles in the air like dust and other pollutants.
This process results in improved air quality with reduced airborne pollutants and allergens. Many salt lamp owners say that respiratory issues like asthma and severe allergies tend to subside when using salt lamps in their homes.
Mood Enhancer
The Himalayan salt lamp is also known to enhance your mood and create a more pleasant atmosphere in the room. The warm glow from the lamp gives your room a cozy, calming feel that reduces stress and promotes relaxation from within.
Additionally, being surrounded by natural elements like salt crystals evokes a sense of connection to nature, which can have mood-lifting effects. This connection to nature has been associated with improved mood, reduced stress, and increased feelings of well-being throughout human history.
The presence of a Himalayan salt lamp can also serve as a reminder to practice mindfulness and engage in self-care. Taking a moment to appreciate the lamp's beauty and the soft glow it emits can help foster a sense of mindfulness and positively influence your mood.
Improved Sleep
The gentle glow from Himalayan salt lamps creates a soothing ambiance that helps prepare the body for sleep. Unlike the harsh blue light emitted by electronic devices, the warm light from salt lamps signals to the brain that it's time to wind down and relax.
Being exposed to blue light in the evening suppresses the production of melatonin and disrupts the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. By using Himalayan salt lamps, you’ll reduce your exposure to blue light and promote the natural onset of sleep.
Increased Energy
The negative ions are known to enhance energy levels and mood by increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain and promoting the release of serotonin.
Additionally, Himalayan salt lamps reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by electronic devices like computers and smartphones. Too much exposure to EMR has been associated with stress and decreased energy levels.
Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter. Although Himalayan salt lamps are not a substitute for specialized light therapy lamps used to treat SAD, some people find them beneficial as a complementary form of light therapy.
Light therapy involves exposure to bright artificial light, which can help regulate the body's internal clock and improve mood in people with SAD. While Himalayan salt lamps emit a much lower intensity of light compared to specialized light therapy lamps, they may still provide some degree of light exposure when placed close to you.
For some people, incorporating Himalayan salt lamps into their daily routine holds symbolic meaning or serves as a comforting ritual during difficult times. Having a familiar and soothing object present in their environment can help individuals cope with the symptoms of SAD.
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