For centuries aromatherapy has been used all over the world. From ancient Egypt and India to China and ancient Greece, there are records of people using essential oils as a way to heal their bodies and minds. The man considered the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, wrote almost 3000 years ago that the key to good health, among other things, is tightly connected to aromatic massages and baths.
Mainly great for our mental health, aromatherapy sessions with essential oils help ease feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression, and have a very positive effect on sleep, resulting in more restful, calm sleeping. But essential oils can also have physical benefits too, such as aiding in relaxing the muscles, relieving certain types of chronic pain and even helping to soothe acne-prone skin.
Aromatherapy has persisted through the years and today we have various ways of adding it into our lives. It’s quite easy to set everything up at home and have a relaxing aromatherapy session without leaving the house. All that you need are essential oils and your preferred method of distributing them.
Here are a few ideas!
Essential Oil Diffusers
One of the most common ways of creating an aromatherapy experience at home is by using oil diffusers. There are different kinds of essential oil diffusers, many of which are designed to both function perfectly and complement the style of your home.
This is important as your surroundings will greatly improve the therapeutic aspect, so having something that matches the room you’ve chosen and doesn’t look out of place will help in creating that soothing environment.
An essential oil diffuser works by breaking down the oil particles and transforming them into a fine mist which is then dispersed around the room, filling it with an unobtrusive, calming smell. Always remember that to get the best experience and keep your diffuser safe, it’s recommended to mix your oils with water. This will prevent clogging the diffuser up and help create that fine mist you’re looking for.
Diffusers come in many shapes and sizes, and they can also have additional features. Some of them, for example, can light up, emitting a soft, relaxing glow that can help in setting the right mood. This also works as a great night light, perfect for when you’re using your diffuser to get better sleep.
A timer option is also added to many diffusers and it can really come in handy! You can control the diffusing time, choosing the number of hours you’d like your diffuser to stay on. Furthermore, you can control the mist function through it, setting up an intermittent mist option, which is great if you’d like a more subtle smell.
The great thing about diffusers for essential oils it that they’re not stationary, so you can take them along wherever you go. No matter if it’s the office, a trip you’re taking, or anything else, you can have an aromatherapy session wherever you are. It will help you stay focused and calm and your space will always smell great!
Essential Oil Bath
What’s more relaxing than a nice, soothing bath after a long day? A nice, soothing, aromatherapy bath!
Adding an essential oil to your bathwater can do wonders for both your skin and your mood. Since essential oils need heat to be dispersed, the warm bath water will help them evaporate nicely.
For the perfect aromatherapy bath, we’d recommend using neutral body soap to prevent smells from clashing and overwhelming you. Essential oils are usually very concentrated, so adding another smell into the mixture can be a bit too much sometimes.
You can spruce up your bath by adding some unscented candles, pouring yourself your favourite drink, or putting on some music. If silence is your jam, go for it! It’s all about what works for you!
There are some precautions you need to take before dipping into the water, though. It’s recommended to have a carrier oil mixed in with your essential oil to make sure your skin doesn’t get irritated from the concentration and to also help moisturise it. Coconut, sunflower, olive or almond oil are some of the options you can use.
Also, don’t add the essential oil while the water is still running. Instead, make the bath first, and then add no more than 8 drops into the mix. You should also mind the temperature of the water. Don’t have it too hot, as this will actually make the oils disperse faster than intended and end up disappearing quickly.
Essential Oil Body Lotion
If you really like the smell of an essential oil or if you’d literally just want to have aromatherapy with you at all times, adding a couple of drops in a body lotion or body oil is the way to go!
Once again, less is more, so take precaution when mixing. Your skin will act as the warming agent here, evaporating the essential oils slowly, so adding too much will most definitely overwhelm you instead of keeping you relaxed.
Instead of mixing oils in a pre-existing lotion, you can try making your own. One common recipe includes aloe vera, beeswax, almond oil, vitamin E oil, and your preferred essential oil.
The great thing about making your own essential oil body lotion is that you can add different scents. Find the ones you like best, make sure they won’t interrupt each other, and mix them in! This way you can have your own personal blend and switch it up every time you feel like it! You can even make different batches to use on different days, depending on your mood. Always store them in a dark, cool place and tighten that lid!
You can also use your lotion for a nice aromatherapy massage. The movement of the hands paired with the soothing smells will definitely help you destress and get you ready for the week!
