According to a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), personal well-being throughout the UK has been on the decline as of March 2023. This underlines the value of a comfortable and safe home environment that supports mental health.

Natural mood boosters can help at home. Fire is often described as soothing, from the gentle crackle to the warm glow. Research on hearth and campfire influences found that listening to crackling fires can help reduce blood pressure.

What the evidence actually tested and why air quality matters

The research that highlighted these calming effects did not involve real wood smoke but instead used videos and recordings of fires, or gas and electric flames viewed safely. A follow-up replication study has shown the same results with an electric fire. This means that while fire imagery can be calming, burning wood indoors should not be mistaken as a health intervention. While these findings point to the power of fire’s sights and sounds, other studies have drawn attention to the health risks of burning wood indoors. The University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research warns that even modern eco-design stoves can expose households to harmful pollutants, as outlined in their report on the hidden health risks of wood stoves. Further guidance is available from Health Innovation Wessex and Asthma + Lung UK, and a recent research summary also underlined the link between wood smoke exposure and health outcomes.

Wood-burning stoves remain a popular choice for UK homes

Log burners and stoves remain popular across the UK and can add a homely atmosphere to a room.

It is important to note that the relaxation benefits in the research came from the sights and sounds of fire, not from burning wood. If you want ambience without smoke, consider electric fireplaces or high-quality video and audio soundscapes.

Dr Rebekah Wanic, mindset psychologist, university lecturer, and self-optimisation coach at Vent to Reinvent, has offered some insight into the benefits of wood burning at home with a stove: “The presence of a fire in a wood-burning stove or firepit provides a sense of comfort and relaxation. Watching flames and listening to the crackling of wood can be meditative, reducing stress and anxiety. Firepits, in particular, create a gathering space for friends and family, promoting social interaction and bonding. This can enhance feelings of belonging and happiness.

“Both wood-burning stoves and firepits provide warmth, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere in a home or outdoor space. This can contribute to a sense of well-being, especially during colder months.”

These social and psychological benefits can also be achieved by recreating the ambience of fire without combustion. See the original experimental work on simulated fires and a replication using an electric fire.

Firepits are becoming a gathering place for connection and relaxation

“A problem shared is a problem halved.” As Dr Wanic notes, gathering around a firepit can foster bonding and interaction that helps ease anxiety.

Premade firepits can cost from £100 to £2,000, and you can also build your own for a custom result. Fuels range from gas-powered options to kiln-dried hardwood.

If you choose a firepit, remember that smoke contributes to local air pollution and may affect neighbours and vulnerable groups. Gas or electric ambience products and careful placement outdoors can reduce exposure.

The main downside is cost, with some models approaching £8,000. Used regularly, they can still offer value and support well-being.

Dr Wanic also stressed the positives of wood-fired hot tubs: “The warm water in a wood-fired hot tub can help relax muscles, alleviate pain, and soothe aches, contributing to overall physical well-being. Similar to the psychological benefits of wood-burning stoves and firepits, the experience of being in a wood-fired hot tub can reduce stress and anxiety, offering a tranquil escape from daily life.

“Exposure to warm water can help raise body temperature, which, when followed by a cool down period after exiting the tub, can facilitate easier sleep onset and improved sleep quality. Finally, using a wood-fired hot tub often involves being outdoors, which can increase exposure to fresh air and nature, further enhancing mental health and well-being.”

If relaxation is the goal, similar effects are possible without burning wood by using non-wood heating systems and curated audio of soothing fire sounds. This avoids smoke exposure.

Pizza ovens bring cooking and well-being together at home

A new hobby can lift mood, and good food can do the same. Wood-burning pizza ovens are popular among home cooks across the UK. Whether you choose wood, gas, or wood pellets, you can level up home cooking and build confidence.

If you explore pizza ovens, consider ventilation and fuel choice to limit smoke. Gas or electric options and outdoor use can reduce air quality impacts compared with burning wood.