Book Your At-Home Spa Day — Melt Stress the e3 Way

Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

Even if you’ve never visited a relaxing, rejuvenating spa, you can imagine what makes a spa experience so enjoyable. What would the perfect spa offer you? Would it focus on water, music, yoga, food, massage, or the fluffy towels and robe? What makes you happy? These are the key elements that you’ll want to incorporate into your At-Home Spa Day.

But isn’t true that when you visit a spa one of the first things you notice is the pleasant aroma? This is because your nose is connected to your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which is your body’s rest-and-digest response. Your breath deepens and slows. You feel your body softening and relaxing.

Aromatherapy — The Key to Transporting You to a Welcoming Oasis 

To make your at-home spa day special, it’s a good idea to pick a theme for your aromatherapy. Too many competing aromas can become confusing and overwhelming. Make all your spa products from these or complementary essential oils ahead of time so you can just focus on relaxing.

Tip: If you buy fragrance-free products, it’s easy to add the aroma that suits your mood. Each e3 essential oil single page has suggestions for complementary essential oils, or you can mix differing proportions of the suggested oils in each blend.

Here are three popular At-Home Spa Day Theme Blends to transport you to your favorite relaxing location:

Tropical Bliss Blend

• • 8 drops Ylang Ylang
  • 6 drops Orange Sweet
  • 4 drops Cardamom Dark
  • 3 drops Lime
  • 2 drops Patchouli

Add the oils to a glass jar. Multiply the recipe until you have enough for all your products. Close the bottle tightly and shake well to blend the oils. Allow the blend to synergize for a few hours or overnight for the best results.

Forest Harmony Blend

• • 5 drops Jasmine
  • 4 drops Bergamot
  • 3 drops Ginger
  • 5 drops Lime
  • 2 drops Rosemary
  • 3 drops Pine Needle

Add the oils to a glass jar.  Multiply the recipe until you have enough for all your products. Close the bottle tightly and shake well to blend the oils. Allow the blend to synergize for a few hours or overnight for the best results.

Refreshing Mint Revival

• • 6 drops Eucaluptus
  • 5 drops Peppermint
  • 4 drops Lemon
  • 3 drops Lavender
  • 2 drops Tea Tree

Add the oils to a glass jar. Multiply the recipe until you have enough for all your products. Close the bottle tightly and shake well to blend the oils. Allow the blend to synergize for a few hours or overnight for the best results.

When I  was interviewed by Porch.com recently, on what are the most effective essential oils for creating a calming atmosphere in a wellness haven at home, I replied… “Each of us is unique, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all essential oil to help you create a calm retreat-like space. Start by understanding the characteristics of scent notes.” You can read my suggestions in their article. Adjust the recipes to your preferences one drop of essential oil at a time. Make sure you record your perfect spa theme recipe in your Blending Journal for future use.

The Porch article Creating a Relaxing Retreat at Home: Expert Advice also has other great at-home spa day ideas you might want to try. The great thing about At-Home Spa Days is that you collect products that work for your skin and hair type, so it’s very personalized.  Put them in pretty containers so they add to your special day. You might even want to splurge on a bouquet of flowers and special treats to eat and get ready to relax!

Your Spa Day is Here!

Turn off your phone. Spritz your theme blend into the air. (You’ll find instructions for making a spritzer here.) Or you can add it to your diffuser or simmer pot. Turn on some soothing music to create the right ambiance. This is important — take a five to fifteen-minute walk outside. It cleanses your nose and prepares you for your spa experience. When you come through the door, you’ll get a much greater impact.

Hydro Spa

Many spas offer hot and cold water, showers, baths, foot baths, steaming, hot and cold compresses, body wraps, and salt glows. The treatments are designed to improve circulation, draw out impurities, exfoliate, tone, and nourish depending on the method. Here are some suggestions:

At-Home Spa Day Bath Recipe

• • 1 Tbl Real Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 5-20 drops of your theme blend

Mix the oil blend into the cream. Never add essential oils directly to the bath. It’s not safe! In this post, learn why you must always use a carrier, like real whipping cream.

Note for hot tub users: Not all hot tub systems are compatible with aromatherapy products — using them could cause damage over time to your spa. A simpler solution is to use an aromatherapy diffuser in the area. Ensure it’s in a secure place that won’t cause a safety hazard like tripping or falling into the water.

Don’t have a bath? Shower users can still have a spa experience! Add your chosen theme blend to your body lotion and gently massage the lotion on your whole body. Step into the warm shower and let the warm jet spray disperse the aroma into the air. Breathe deeply and slowly. Follow up your shower with another gentle, full-body massage using the lotion.

How else can you use your theme blend? Add it to:

• Foot Soak
• Massage Oil
• Salt Scrub
• Facial Compress
• Honey Hair Conditioner

Are there things you’d like to know more about… like hair care products or more scrub recipes? We’d love to hear from you!

If you’d like to use one of our pre-mixed blends, most of them would be wonderful additions to your at-home spa day too! And if you’d like to get DIY ideas delivered to your inbox once a month, check the box for DIY when you sign up for our newsletter.