Campfire wellness. A $1,000 retreat you can do at home.
READ TIME - 3 MINUTES
Remember the last time you sat by a campfire?
The warmth.
The soft glow.
The soothing crackle of wood.
It felt magical, right?
Comforting. Almost… primal.
That’s because it is.
For thousands of years, fire was central to human survival. It wasn’t just about heat or light—it was where we found safety, told stories, solved problems, and connected.
Fast forward to today: We’ve traded campfires for screens and endless distractions. But here’s the thing: fire still pulls us in and for a good reason. It’s not just comforting—it’s science.
Fire taps into ancient mechanisms that heal your body and calm your mind.
Let’s dive into why that is.
Why campfires feel so good
1. The glow: The fire's light improves your health Firelight is more than cozy-it's a health tool.
Unlike the harsh blue light from your screens, the warm red and near-infrared (NIR) light in the 620nm-1000nm range emitted by a campfire works with your body, not against it. Here's what it does:
Better sleep: Red light doesn’t mess with melatonin (the sleep hormone) like blue light does.
Deep relaxation: The warm glow calms your nervous system and prepares you for rest.
But it doesn’t stop there. Red and NIR light have some next-level health benefits:
Skin health: Boosts collagen production to keep your skin firm and smooth.
Faster healing: Promotes cell regeneration for quicker tissue repair.
Pain relief: Reduces inflammation and soothes sore muscles and joints.
2. The sound: Crackling wood lowers stress
The low-frequency hum of burning wood reduces cortisol, your main stress hormone, and brings your brain into a meditative state. No wonder meditation apps use fire sounds-they work. As the Zen proverb goes: “You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day unless you’re too busy; then you should sit for an hour.”
Turns out, sitting by a fire is one of the simplest ways to create calm.
3. The warmth: Fire's heat heals the body
Infrared heat from fire relaxes your muscles, reduces tension, and boosts blood flow. Better circulation means your tissues get more oxygen and nutrients. This speeds up recovery and boosts overall health. Fire's warmth also releases oxytocin, the “bonding hormone, which is why sitting around a fire often leads to deep conversations and connections.
How to bring the fire’s benefits into your life
Sitting around a campfire is magical, but it's not always practical.
The good news? You don’t need crackling flames to tap into fire’s benefits.
Here are five simple ways to bring the magic home:
1. Candles: Use natural, non-toxic options like beeswax. Light them during your evening routine to set a relaxing, warm atmosphere.
2. Amber lighting: Try warm-hued bulbs or Himalayan salt lamps if flames aren't practical. Place them in your bedroom or living room to create a cozy vibe.
(Image credit: 5HP/Shutterstock.com)
3. Red light therapy devices replicate the red and near-infrared light found in fire. Use them for 10–20 minutes a day to:
Improve sleep
Enhance energy levels
Boost skin health
Ease muscle soreness
Reduce inflammation
Accelerate wound healing
Strengthen hair growth
and many more.
I personally use and recommend Mitolight devices. (Get 5% off with this code: humanapex.)
4. Fire sounds: You can find these soothing sounds on YouTube, Spotify, or apps like Noisli.
5. Heat therapy: Saunas and infrared saunas recreate the fire's therapeutic warmth.
My go-to meditative stack: red light on, meditation sounds playing.
Simple and effective.
The hard truth
We live in a world of harsh lights, endless screens, nonstop noise, and growing disconnection.
It’s no wonder our health is falling apart. Disease, burnout, anxiety, and sleepless nights are rising.
We’ve traded the warmth of flames for the cold glow of screens. We’re overstimulated, disconnected, and drained. Something’s missing-and we all feel it.
The fix? It's simple.
A candle. A crackling sound. A bit of warmth.
It’s not just cozy—it’s a way to reset your body and mind.
Step away from the chaos. Light the flame. Reconnect with what’s real. Feel the difference.
If you’re ready to take things to the next level, I can help you in 3 ways:
1: Health and Performance Coaching: One hour of focused work, just you and me. We’ll concentrate on your goals—fitness, nutrition, sleep, whatever you need.
2: The Athlete’s Journey: A program designed for those looking to enhance their health and performance. Perfect if you already know health basics but want to optimize your exercise and nutrition.
3: The Health and Performance Optimization Journey. An all-in-one solution where we’ll work closely together to build your foundational health, from hormone balance to gut health and beyond. Perfect if you’re looking for a complete health transformation.
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