Tag: Aromatherapy

De-stress With These Mini Self Massage Techniques + A DIY Warming Massage Oil Recipe

Giving yourself a massage might seems as futile as trying to tickle yourself, but believe me when I say that not only is it possible, sometimes it’s absolutely necessary. You’ll be surprised at how effective these techniques are in reducing stress and promoting your overall sense of wellness. Add the oil blend below and you’re well on your way to a happy ending… I couldn’t resist.

Self Massage Techniques

Neck/Shoulders

Relax your shoulders down away from your ears. Slowly tuck your chin in toward your chest to stretch the back of your neck. Place your fingertips on the back of your neck where your shoulders meet your neck. Apply pressure and hold for a few breaths. Release. Roll your shoulders slowly in a circular motion. Repeat these steps as necessary.

Lower Back

So this one requires a tennis ball. Yeah, I totally had to buy one too. I don’t know anyone who plays tennis and Serena wasn’t answering her phone so yeah. Anyway, place your brand new tennis ball on the floor, or in the space between your back and a wall. Move your body slowly so that the tennis ball massages any tension in your lower back. Avoid rolling the ball along your spine. in applying pressure, try to find a balance that’s right for you so that you don’t further aggravate soreness.

Lower Leg

Using the heels of your palm, knead along both sides of your calf in small circles. Work your way up your calf slowly from the ankle until you reach the knee, flexing and pointing your toes as you go. Again, starting at the ankle, drag the heels of your palms along either side of your calf until you reach the knee. Repeat these steps to alleviate lower leg pain caused by rocking high heels, or yesterday’s spin class.

Feet

You can stick to the tried and true tennis ball rolling treatment, or you can grab some oil and give yourself a proper foot rub. Sit with your ankle resting on the opposite knee. Grasp each toe, one at a time, and rotate them clockwise and counterclockwise, Bend each toe backward and forward, and finally give each toe a gentle pull. After giving each little piggy some attention, use both hands to firmly grasp your foot on either side.  Wiggle your foot back and forth with your hands paying attention to ball of your foot and your arch.

Warming Massage Oil

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
  • 4 drops orange essential oil
  • 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
  • 2 drops ginger essential oil

Directions

  • Add all ingredients into an amber glass bottle.
  • Give it a little shake to blend the oils.
  • To use, add a few drops to the palm of your hand before practicing any of the massage techniques above.
Homemade Winter Potpourri (Stove Top or Slow Cooker)

Homemade Winter Potpourri (Stove Top or Slow Cooker) —Fixer Upper Friday

This is one of my favorite holiday traditions for real. There’s nothing more inviting than the smell of winter spices filling a home. Somehow it just makes me feel warmer, happier, and calmer all at once. The holiday season can be extremely stressful and good old-fashioned aromatherapy really does bring a sense of peace and calm to all that holiday mayhem. This is a recipe I use pretty often and it couldn’t be easier. I just set these ingredients in a slow cooker or directly on the stove top and let it work its magic.

Homemade Winter Potpourri (Stove Top or Slow Cooker)

This is a total sidebar: I have to admit this to you guys. The smell of this potpourri is so divine that I’ve even tried drinking a cup or two of this stuff as tea because #FearIsTheMindKiller. I don’t out and out recommend that you try that because I’ve heard that pine can be a bit toxic to consume, but then again I’ve also heard that Pine Needle Tea has some crazy awesome health benefits. Anyway, I’m still standing and it wasn’t half bad with a bit of honey, so the choice is totally yours. To be on the safe side, if you plan on drinking this mixture (that’s how great it smells) and you don’t trust evergreens (I can dig it) just don’t put the pine needles in it. Drinking potpourri…seriously what’s wrong with me? Whatevs…

Just prepare yourself for the truly intoxicating aroma of citrus and winter spices to fill your home!

Homemade Winter Potpourri (Stove Top or Slow Cooker)

Homemade Winter Potpourri (Stove Top or Slow Cooker)

Ingredients

  • 1 blood orange
  • 1 navel orange
  • 3-5 cinnamon sticks
  • 1-2 vanilla bean pods
  • 1 small clipping of a fresh pine branch (about 3-4 inches)
  • 4-5 cups of apple cider

Homemade Winter Potpourri (Stove Top or Slow Cooker)

Directions

  • Pour apple cider into pot with a few sprigs of pine and the cinnamon sticks.
  • Cut open the vanilla bean pod (or pods), lengthwise. Add to pot.
  • Slice up the oranges into ¼ to ½ inch thick slices. Then, place them into the pot.
  • Place the pot on medium high heat, until it reaches a gentle boil. Then simmer on low (up to several hours). Add water or more apple cider when the liquid in the pot begins to get low.
  • If you’re using a slow cooker, just add all the ingredients and cook on high for the first 1-2 hours, then reduce the setting to low just as you would on the stove top.

Enjoy!!!

Source: Make Your own Winter Stove Top Potpourri – Momtastic.com

Make Your Own Natural Moisturizer

Customize Your Own DIY Moisturizing Face Oil—Spa Days at Home

Use this simple guide to DIY your own natural moisturizer.

All you need is the right combination (just two ingredients!) and you’ll be well on your way to the softest skin of your life. The formula is simple: Carrier Oil+Essential Oil. The possibilities are endless and can address the full spectrum of skin concerns.
DIY Moisturizer

***It is best to dilute essential oils. A good rule of thumb is: For every 1 ounce of carrier oil, add no more than 12 drops of essential oil.

***Always do a patch test before using an essential oil. Take a cotton swab and apply a small amount of the undiluted essential oil to the inside fold of your elbow. Wait approximately 24 hours, and if any signs of irritation appear (redness, rash, etc.) discontinue use.

***My favorite combination for warm weather and sunny days is Coconut Oil+Frankincense Essential Oil.

 

Image Source: Hello Glow

3 Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas

Christmas Potpourri

So you’ve decked the halls with awesome Christmas decorations. You’ve been gorging yourself on freshly baked cookies, and washing it all down with delicious cocktails. The holiday season really is in full swing. Decorating, baking, and bartending are all great ways to make the holidays memorable, but perhaps the best way is to fill your home with the familiar fragrances of the season.

1 Cinnamon Sticks, Pine Cones, and Cloves

Cinnamon and Cloves

This is the ‘no fuss, no muss’ method. Place cinnamon sticks, pine cones, or cloves around your house and let them work their magic. For a little extra kick, you can add a couple of drops of an essential oil like peppermint or vanilla directly to your cinnamon sticks or pine cones to enhance the fragrance. Display them in a decorative bowl, or even use them as Christmas tree ornaments.

2 Pomander

Pomander

A pomander is a piece of fruit (typically an orange), studded with cloves, and then hung by a ribbon or decorative twine. You can even display them in a small glass bowl right on your mantel, or a side table. Not only do they let off a very consistent and soft aroma, but they’re also really pretty to look at. Check out the full tutorial here.

3 Stove Top Christmas Potpourri

Christmas Stove Top Potpourri
Image Copyright: iheartnaptime.net

This requires a little more work than the other options, but it’s well worth the effort. There are plenty of combinations to choose from. You just have to add the ingredients of your favorite potpourri recipe to a pot of boiling water, reduce the heat to low, and enjoy. Never, ever leave an unattended pot on the stove (Bailey cares). Just give your stove top potpourri time to humidify and perfume your home, then shut the stove off 🙂 My personal favorite recipe calls for fresh cranberries. You can find the full tutorial here.

What are some of your favorite Christmas scents? How do you get your home ready for the holiday?