( dpa ) - One way to banish the winter blues and brighten up your home after those cold, dark nights and days is to light up some green candles.
The colour doesn't just match the furnishings but happens to be trendy this season too.
Green represents the colour of nature and is known to boost vitality and strengthen the immune system as well, according to a German-based candle association in Stuttgart which awards quality certificates to manufacturers.
Of course, green candles make a fine decoration on their own but combined with other upbeat, "fruity" hues such as orange and yellow they can create an even more relaxed atmosphere, say the experts. Try combining candles of various shapes and sizes in shades of green and brown in order to conjure up a cosy, woodland-like ambience, they suggest.
Orange candles have a stimulating effect, increasing the production of adrenalin and the body temperature, accelerating the pulse and helping the body to regenerate, says the candle council. Like the sun, yellow ones lift our spirits and activate the mind.