Think Well
Article

Adding aromatherapy oils to a bath could be the perfect way to unwind For anyone who feels utterly wound-up and unable to relax come Friday evening, aromatherapy could be a great idea for de-stressing and letting go of life's niggling problems.

Sue Mousley, chair of the International Federation of Aromatherapists, said you don't have to be an expert to reap the benefits of essential oils - in fact, all you need to do is add a few drops to a warm bath.

She pointed out that this is enough to activate them and produce a soothing vapour that could instantly add to your wellbeing.

"The immersion in a relaxing smelling bath almost gives permission to take a deep breath and breathe out all the tensions of the day," Sue commented.

Many people choose lavender products for this purpose and for help in drifting off to sleep later, but chamomile could also be a good choice, as could jasmine, she explained.

However, with a recent survey carried out by Baxter finding that six out of ten Brits now shower instead of taking a bath and that one in six can't remember the last time they enjoyed a soak in the tub, does this mean that non-bathers are excluded from the benefits of aromatherapy?

Not at all, said Sue. Instead, those who prefer a shower could add aromatherapy-based products to their body wash, or even to body lotion for a mind-boosting massage afterwards.

Oils dropped into room fresheners could also help to disperse fragrances in other parts of the house such as bedrooms and kitchens.

The Aromatherapy Council states that there are around 400 essential oils with some of the most popular being rosemary, tea tree, chamomile and lavender. However, to make life easier, it may be better to choose ready-made beauty products which feature essential oils within them, as this will eliminate the need to buy lots of little bottles of individual oils and therefore reduce the cost.

Clearly, a boost to your wellbeing is easier to achieve than you may have thought - why not give it a try and see if you can add some relaxing time to your week?