Spiritual Rituals: Salt Lamps

And we’re back with more Spiritual Rituals talking about salt lamps.

Himalayan salt lamps are one of those things you either love or hate. There’s really no in between. To be completely honest, I was on the hate train for a while because they didn’t quite match my decor in my apartment but after doing some research, seeing them styled, and getting one myself, I now want one in every room.  

Seriously.

Give me all the salt lamps.

At first I was skeptical and thought, ‘Ok how can some ugly lamp be so transformative?’ but then I actually used mine for a few months and I got it. Aside from the metaphysical benefits we’ll get into a minute, these lamps are just plain cool.

I mean, looking at them you’re immediately intrigued yet a strong wave of serenity pours over you. Like, what is this weird rough, pink rock thing that makes me feel all tingly inside?

That my friends, is a Himalayan salt lamp and if you don’t already have one, you definitely need one.

Himalayan salt lamp history

“True” Himalayan salt lamps are made from salt of the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan (in the Himalayas) because the area was part of the purest bodies of water millions of years ago. Usually salt is made at sea but what makes Himalayan salt so special is that it formed in the mountains.

Apparently when the sun dried up the seawater, the salt crystals formed. And because of this, the salt was exposed to crazy temperatures and pressure so this gorgeous, solid, crystal formed naturally in beautiful shades of pink.

Himalayan salt doesn’t go through any chemical process so the authentic quality is totally preserved. Therefore, Himalayan salt is one of the most hygienic and non-polluted mineral sources.

Rumor has it while Alexander the Great was conquering Persia, his horses stopped and started licking the rocks around Jhelum and Mianwali (in the Himalaya mountains). How fun?! (P.s. This is the first time I’m learning about this too guys so I’m just as fascinated.)

Benefits of Himalayan salt lamps

There are a ton of benefits to Himalayan salt lamps but of course you can argue whether they really work or not but I choose to believe in salt lamps and all their benefits such as…

+ Increases negative ions

First and foremost, it’s said that Himalayan salt lamps create negative ions which, in simpler terms, are oxygen atoms with an extra electron. Negative ions are predominantly found outside from air, water, and the sun which gives you a natural high. And the more we’re outside, connected to nature, the happier and more refreshed we feel and lucky for us Himalayan salt lamps are said to mimic that feeling.

Basically Himalayan salt lamps change the electrical charge of the air. Cool right?

+ Boosts mood

So speaking of natural highs, Himalayan salt lamps rejuvenate your mind and body because of the negative ion emissions (can I say emissions?). Negative ions increase serotonin and help people battle SAD (seasonal affective disorder), you know, what happens when you don’t get that Vitamin D from the sun in the winter so your mood is immediately boosted when you use a salt lamp.

+ Helps you sleep

Not only do negative ions boost your mood, but they help you sleep better. And I’ll be the first one to admit that my sleeping patterns have seriously improved since using my Himalayan salt lamp. Positive ions, which mostly make up the air you breathe in your house, reduce blood supply and oxygen to your brain which is no bueno for sleeping.

So to avoid this I turn on my salt lamp a few hours to get the energy right before I go to bed and it’s so, so soothing.

+ Purifies the air

So Himalayan salt lamps draw in the water molecules from its surroundings. And because of this, it also attracts dust, dirt, and other pollutants attached to them. Salt lamps help get rid of those toxins so they’re not floating around your room for you to breathe in.

I swear this one is true because I’ve seen my lamp attain little black spots over the years which look like dirt (I could be totally wrong but let’s just go with it). Anyway, as the bulb in your lamp heats up, the clean water vapor is released back into the air, but the salt lamp keeps the pollutants.

+ Helps with allergies

Because salt lamps purify the air and take out all the bad stuff, it is said they can help with allergies. I have crazy spring allergies and they’ve honestly been much better over the years and I like to think it’s because I live in a city so there’s not too much pollen (again, I could be totally wrong here), and because of my little salt lamp!

I mean if it’s sucking up the dust and dirt anyway I don’t see why it wouldn’t suck up the pollen too, right?

Clearly I’m a fan of Himalayan salt lamps and like I said earlier, you can argue both sides, but the mind is a very powerful thing so if you believe something works, it usually does.

Do you have a salt lamp? Tell me in the comments!

xx

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