#aromaworks

How do you relax?

Do you make time for relaxation or time for yourself in your week?

A few months back, I read a great book by Stephen Covey. He encourages you to plan for all of your roles in your weekly plan and not just assign tasks for your work. I have embraced this idea and love including time for other things in my planning. I’ve always loved a to do list but work has always taken priority and this book made me realise that a really important role that we have is to create a happy and healthy version of ourselves. But how many of us dedicate time to this? What’s so exciting is that if you put ‘yourself’ on your to do list and in your weekly plan then you make a real effort to stick to it as you need to tick it off the list. On my happy and healthy me list is exercise which so easily gets forgotten when I am busy at work, eating healthily (most of the time) and drinking Skinade daily as great skin and nails is important to me. I’ve recently found the mediation app Head Space so this is now on my list as are some hobbies which can so easily be pushed out when we are busy. And of course some relaxation.

Even if you aren't a list maker like I am, you can still factor in some relaxation to your week. Here’s some of my favourite ways to relax.

My top pick is a hot bath. It has to smell good and it has to be super hot. I add in some Aromaworks Serenity Bath Oil (my favourite scent but there are four to choose from) (£34.50). Just a few pumps - always after the bath has run otherwise the oils break down and it takes me to a place of peace. If you need an excuse to have a bath and relaxation isn’t a good enough excuse, then why not add some salts in to the bath so you have aded benefit for the body. I love the new Salted range from Dead Sea Spa Magik. Choose Epsom salts for muscle and joint aches, Magnesium for overall wellness and help with sleeping and Charcoal with Eucalyptus to ease congestion (my favourite). (From £5.99) Whatever you choose to put in it, a hot bath is a massage therapists best friend. I recommend all my clients struggling with muscle pain to have hot baths at the end of a busy day. Muscles shorten while you are at your desk or driving or sitting on a laptop and the heat of a bath helps them to relax.

Meditation and mindfulness have been hot topics for a while now. I’ve only just got round to trying it and am loving the Head Space app. This app is great if you are time poor or want to fit your meditation in around a busy day. You can choose 5, 10 or 15 minute meditations and its perfect for beginners. I highly recommend Karen Janes, who runs a weekly drop in meditation class in Salisbury every Tuesday, for those who can pop out in their lunch break.

If you are meditating at home and have time to dedicate to it, I love a scented candle for added relaxation. We have the Aromaworks and Scentered range of candles with lots to choose from, so you are sure to find a scent you love. Smells are so powerful and really can transport us to another place. Something that reminds you of a tropical holiday maybe? (From £25)

A face mask is a quick and easy way to relax, as once it’s on, you have no option other than to lie back and relax. There is something so calming about listening to your own breathing whilst a face mask works its magic on your skin. We have a huge range of face masks from Natural Spa factory, one to suit every skin concern. (From £5.95 - 3 uses in a pack)

A Scentered aromatherapy balm is always in my handbag. I love the idea of their STOP-INHALE-RESET ritual. My favourites are ‘Focus’ for when i’m busy at work and either ‘De-Stress’ or ‘Sleep Well’ for when I need relaxation. Small enough to fit in your handbag and the travel size small enough to fit in your pocket, you can keep these with you and when you need a little boost, rub some balm on your wrists, take a few deep breaths and you are ready to carry on. The power of a few deep breaths is so underestimated. Combine that with essential oils that can change your mood and its a winning formula. (Travel size £5.50. Full size £14.95)

For those who find it hard to relax and sleep, the Comfort Zone Tranquility range is perfect. I always keep the hand cream in my bag as I hate having dry hands and a few deep breaths and the scent relaxes me. The Tranquility blend is another great one (not for the hand bag though as its a glass bottle). It lasts for such a long time as it is a highly concentrated oil and only needs a drop or two. Pop on your pulse points for the essential oils to work their magic. (Hand cream £17. Tranquility blend £48)

If you love the spa but don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to relaxation, an infrared sauna is a great idea. A 30 minute sauna will not only relax you but will also ease aching muscles and detox the body. It includes use of a robe and slippers so you can cosy up in our relaxation room afterwards with a magazine and unwind. (£15 - 40 minute sauna)

If you want to dedicate yourself to regular ‘time out’, how about our new One Month Sauna Pass. Use of the sauna for up to 10 sessions in the month. If you are also guilty of not allocating time with your friends in your weekly planning, (another of Covey’s role’s that he suggest gets given time on your to do list), then why not share our Sauna Pass For 2. That way you kill two birds with one stone. (One Month Sauna Pass £90. Sauna pass for 2 £120. Must both use the sauna at the same time. Pass valid for one calendar month from purchase.)

Of course if you have time and you want to go all out and indulge in ultimate relaxation, we have so many lovely treatments here at Vita and we would love to pamper you. Don’t forget “The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it”.