The best way to unwind after a stressful day is to treat yourself to a personal spa hour at home! Let me tell you how you can have a relaxing spa experience that doesn't come with a $200 price tag.
Salt Water Soak
Begin by filling your bathtub with hot water. Add 1 cup of Epsom salt and 1 cup of regular, cheap salt. Stir the water around a bit to dissolve the salt. Add a couple drops of your favorite essential oils such as Lavender or Peace & Calming blend. If I have an empty essential oil bottle, I will remove the cap and drop the bottle into the tub. That way I can utilize the tiny bit of oil that is otherwise impossible to use.
Epsom salt is therapeutic and assists as a detoxifyer. In this day and age, our bodies are daily exposed to exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, and other airborne toxins and free radicals. A weekly epsom salt bath is a great way to habitually assist our skin and tissues with detoxification. Epsom salt can be purchased at any drug store or pharmacy.
Next, set some lighted candles all around the bathroom to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Find a way to play some soothing, ambient music. Ensure that there will not be outside audible irritations to distract you from your home spa experience.
Mud Mask
Enhance your relaxing spa experience with a detoxifying and conditioning facial mask. Use bentonite clay or french green clay, which will draw oil and impurities from the skin. It will also revitalize the skin and tighten pores.
To make the mask, start with dry powdered clay and a small empty jar. Mix equal amounts of clay and water. I really like to use rosewater over plain water. Add liquid as needed to make a nice paste. Customize the scent with a couple drops of therapeutic essential oil such as Lavender. Store this clay mixture in an airtight jar so you will have it ready for your next spa experience.
It is very rewarding to make your own Rosewater as well. I made my first batch last spring with wild rose petals. To make your own rosewater, collect the following materials:
- Jar with a tight-fitting lid (pint size is good)
- Enough wild rose petals to pack the jar to the top
- Witch Hazel extract or vodka
- Pure water
Instructions: Pack the rose petals tightly into the jar. Use a combination of 3/4 witch hazel extract or vodka and 1/4 distilled water to pour over the top of the petals, covering them plus 1 inch additional. Screw the lid on the jar tightly and let the mixture sit in a warm, dark location for 2-3 weeks. Once the time has passed, open the jar and strain out the petals. Your rosewater should smell lovely and rosy. It will stay good in the jar indefinitely. You can use it as a facial toner or in other natural, personal hygiene recipes.
As you soak in your salt water bath, you can perform the oil cleanse method followed by a mud mask. Let the mask dry for about 15 minutes as you soak all stress away. To remove the mask, dip a wash cloth in your bathwater and drape it over your face for several minutes to rehydrate and loosen the clay. Once loose, simply wipe the clay from your face. Notice how soft and smooth your skin feels!
Follow up your bath by rubbing coconut oil into your skin all over. Coconut oil is the perfect, natural body lotion and moisturizer.
To continue the relaxation and assist you in achieving a deep, restful, night's sleep, dab some Peace & Calming essential oil blend behind your ears, on the back of your neck, and on the bottoms of your feet.
After a day, you'll be smiling and glowing if you treat yourself to this home-made spa hour.
Useful Tip: Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night to an intensely painful, cramped calf muscle. I can immediately alleviate the cramping and pain by rubbing in a drop of Peace & Calming essential oil blend. I keep it right by my bed just in case. It works miraculously in seconds!
Sources:
Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar
Note: If you would like to purchase Young Living's Peace & Calming essential oil blend, you will need to set up a free, customer account and reference the following sponsor number: 615650
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