Fireplace + relaxation = lowered blood pressure and good for your health! The soothing, soporific effects of sitting by an open fire during the depths of winter have long been established. Now it seems the very idea of a log fire helps to lower blood pressure.
A study published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology, says: “Findings confirm that hearth and campfires induce relaxation as part of a multi-sensory, absorptive, and social experience.”
In the research, 226 adults were shown a video of a fire along with sound effects. The subjects’ blood pressure was taken before and after viewing the fire for different periods of time. Scientists said the results “indicated consistent blood pressure decreases” across the participants. They appeared to become more relaxed the longer they watched the 
footage.
The lead researcher, Christopher Lynn, who is an anthropologist at the University of Alabama, believes that the modern-day calming effect is evolutionary and may be traced back to the Stone Age. Early humans relied on fire for heat, safety, illumination, and cooking.
When we were designing Champney’s, here at the Deerfield Inn, after the flood we read in books on restaurant psychology that one of the things that causes guests an uneasy feeling, although they are not sure why, is having darkness outside while there is brightness within, leaving them exposed in some atavistic memory to the circle of predators beyond the camp fire. Solution: café curtains we can pull across on brass rings as dusk falls! Huh! Who would have thought it?
Dogs, on the other hand – we all know that they are four-footed therapy and beneficial to blood pressure! Real fire, real dog, real food. It’s all here for you through the cold months ahead! Check out our specials for some real deals and give us a call at 413-774-5587.