Aromatherapy for Winter Wellness
After a busy old year, we’ve suddenly found ourselves in the thick of winter - with darker nights drawing in earlier, a noticeable chill in the air - and all manner of new challenges for our bodies and minds now rearing their heads.
At MASAJ, we’re firm believers in the power of aromatherapy - and making the best use of natural ingredients to boost our physical and mental wellbeing - so we decided to round up some of our favourite ingredients, blends and tips to help see you through the winter.
STAY TOASTY
It might sound basic, but avoiding a chill can be one of the easiest ways to dodge the seasonal colds that are synonymous with this time of year. Keeping muscles warm will also help to loosen joints and improve circulation, making you less likely to experience strains, sprains, tightness and muscle ache.
For us, the winter months represent the ideal opportunity to make time for regular bathing - a good soak in a hot (but not too hot) bath will do wonders for both body and mind - especially if accompanied by Epsom Salts, which help to relax muscles, soothe pain, and speed up the detoxification process post-workout or massage.
BLENDING: Our go-to essential oils to promote warmth include our spicy favourites; Ginger, Black Pepper, Rosemary and Sweet Marjoram - all of which can be found in our Homerun Studio Oil - perfect for use as a massage oil at home, or added to a bath.
BREATHE EASY
If you’re keen to keep your airways clear, using aromatherapy can be a quick and easy way to get the job done, while making your home smell incredible at the same time. Essential oils such as Lemon have incredibly powerful antimicrobial properties, so a few drops in a vapouriser or diffuser can help to keep the air in your home clean and fresh. Beautiful when blended with fresh green oils - more on that below.
Our favourite trick, and one of the easiest to implement - is to make use of fresh Eucalyptus - either in vases around your home (scrunch the leaves to help release the scent), or even better, bunched up and attached to your shower head with string, so that warm water can help to release the powerful oils from within the plant. A great excuse to visit nearby Colombia Road Market, where you can pick up high-quality fresh Eucalyptus stems for just a few pounds.
BLENDING: There are so many beautiful ways to use plant power to benefit your respiratory health. If you’re comfortable going down the essential oil route - we highly recommend fresh, green scents such as Thyme, Rosemary, Basil and Peppermint. These oils contain all the properties needed to help open up airways, clear mucus and catarrh and make breathing a whole lot easier. You can use these oils in a traditional ‘face steam’ - adding just a few drops to a basin of hot water, and breathing in the vapours created. This is best done in short bursts, and do be careful not to burn yourself on the water or the steam.
RISE, AND SHINE
Winter can be a very difficult time for many - with energy levels dipping, disrupted circadian rhythms, and more time spent inside rather than out and about or socialising - it’s no wonder than many mental health conditions can feel harder to manage at this time of year. Even on the most basic level, our motivation and concentration can be affected by these darker, colder months.
BLENDING: For a quick pick-me-up, consider exploring fresh essential oils in your blending. Our go-to refreshing aromas include citrus oils such as Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit or Lime, which can be found in our Sup Studio Oil blend - the ultimate boost for body and mind.
…AND RELAX
A common side effect of Seasonal Affective Disorder is insomnia, caused by rapidly changing daylight hours, and less sunshine, leading to lethargy and imbalanced energy levels throughout your day. As much as we may want to head straight into full hibernation mode, an altogether easier approach is to instead make time in your bedtime routine for some simple aromatherapy practice.
BLENDING: We all know the benefits of relaxing essential oils such as Lavender and Mandarin - both of which can be found alongside Vetiver in our Eve Studio Oil blend - our top tip is to use our rollerball applicator to apply the oil gently across the temples, forehead and wrists, allowing the soothing aromas to lull you to sleep. Combine this with some gentle self-massage around your head, neck and chest for a one-way ticket to sleepy-town.
Other oils which can be used to mix a beautifully relaxing and balancing blend include Roman Chamomile (found in our Watershed Studio Oil), Clary Sage, Neroli or Ylang Ylang - if you’re blending for a diffuser try using just 2 or 3 oils to start with, so as not to overwhelm the blend or cancel out the properties of each oil. We hope that you enjoy experimenting!
*As always, please seek guidance from a GP before you use essential oils if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a pre-existing health condition. Ensure you follow product instructions carefully, respect these powerful ingredients, and never ingest or apply essential oils directly to the skin.