Have you been feeling tired, anxious, or stressed?
Are you ready for some “me time” of pure relaxation? You may even invite your significant other to join you and indulge your senses together.
Stress is the culprit for disease and relaxation the remedy for health and well-being.
What better way to release tension after a long day, than to treat yourself to the healing scents of aromatherapy. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and let the therapeutic properties of essential oils balance to your body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Sit back, relax and enter into the world of magical aromatherapy.
Here are 5 ways to relax with Aromatherapy. Indulge in all 5 at night before going to bed or pick and choose what works best for you.
1. Aromatherapy Burner or Diffuser
The use of your diffuser or aromatherapy burner is so versatile. You can keep one in your bathroom, bedroom, living room, and study room, to set different moods. You may get one for your office, and I like to have one in my yoga studio. According to the effects that you wish to see you can change up the oils and enhance your mood, concentration, energy, etc.
Below are some recommendations for a relaxing blend. Choose any or all. For an aromatherapy burner I fill it with water first and then add about 10 drops of essential oils. The candle in the burner now transforms your room into a spa and if you like to move on to take a bath, please take the diffuser or burner with you.
– Lavender (lat. Lavendula angustifolia)
Soothing, calming, balancing, reduces headaches and menstrual pain, tones and calms the heart
– Ylang Ylang
Sedative, calming, antidepressant, floral and exotic
– Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
Calming, meditative, slows us down and deepens the breath
– Geranium (lat. Pelargonium graveolens)
Balancing (great for all skin types), healing, antidepressant, tones liver & kidneys, stimulates lymphatic system
– Sweet Orange (lat. Citrus aurantium)
Calming, uplifting, cheery, soothing, detoxifying
Caution: When using Sweet Orange please avoid skin exposure to sun in the next 24 hours.
2. Aromatherapy Bath or Foot-bath
Allow your tired body or feet to sink into a hot bath and soak up the therapeutic qualities of both water and aromatherapy. For a full bath I recommend 5 – 10 drops of pure essential oils, for a foot bath 3 – 5 drops. You may consider any or all of the oils mentioned above to wash your worries away and promote relaxation, and well-being.
3. Aromatherapy Massage
Now that you come out of your bath I invite you to warm up some coconut oil or sesame oil and place about 1 oz. in a small bowl. Now add 12 drops of essential oils to your base oil and blend with your fingers. A wonderful, very therapeutic way to apply essential oils is by massage. Your feet offer multitude of acupressure points that bring health, relaxation, and well-being to your whole body. Combine the health promoting effects of coconut or sesame oil, pure essential oils and a foot massage and you will be in relaxation heaven. You can massage your own feet or ask you loved one to rub your feet for you. Ahhhh… Enjoy!
4. Aromatherapy Body Mist
You may prepare your body mist ahead of time. Use a 4 oz. bottle and fill 3/4 of your bottle with filtered or spring water. Now add about a teaspoon of glycerin, and 48 drops of essential oils. Close the lid, shake the bottle well and then spray it generously all over your body, making sure to close your eyes. I invite you to choose from the oils mentioned above, and would recommend to use plenty of lavender. Shake well before every use. Store the bottle in a dark, dry and cool environment.
5. Aromatherapy Night Cream
Now that it’s time to go to bed, add a drop of lavender essential oil to the amount of creme you will be using that night and gently massage into your face. You may even like to close your eyes as you draw small circles around your temples and inhale the lovely lavender fragrance. Take a few deep breath, then gently open your eyes. Welcome back to harmony! I wish you a good night, and a deep restful sleep!
Fondly,
Tanja
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Tanja Alexandra Kern
