Christmas Self-Care
The build up to Christmas can be a little stressful and sometimes overwhelming. If you notice that you are beginning to feel overwhelmed then take this as a cue that you need to indulge in some well needed gentle self-care.
This Christmas I will be sharing my love of salts and the benefits they can have on your whole well-being. If you’re looking for some other mindful techniques then check out my instagram page or my other well-being blogs. I am a qualified meditation and yoga teacher and have lots to share :)
***Just a note***
Today I’m sharing my love of naturopathy - I am not a qualified naturopathy therapist, I am simply sharing some lovely relaxing bath salt treatments that also happen to be very good for the mind.
Nothing gets more gentle than the practice of naturopathy. It is a gentle, nature based, holistic and traditional health system. It’s aim is to restore the whole body so it becomes harmonised and balanced. The East have been using this tradition for centuries, recognising that ill health has developed from many factors including hereditary factors, environmental factors, life style and dietary factors.
The aim of naturopathy is therefore to allow the body to restore to full natural balance, taking into consideration natural cures including fresh air and sunlight, eating a healthy balanced diet (including healthy fasting) taking in enough relaxation (yoga and meditation) and very importantly drinking lots of water.
Hydration is very important and it is also very healing, obviously drinking enough is important and using water to shower and bathe is important to get clean. Naturopaths also recognise and use water therapy for healing. We can use the wisdom from naturopathy to create our own DIY treatments.
This month I will be sharing tips to use the healing qualities of natural salts and water to make our own DIY treatment at home using only a few ingredients and a nice warm bath.
Salt Massage Bath
What you’ll need
Sea Salt (I use pink Himalayan)
Warm water
A bath full of warm water
How to make the treatment
Add enough warm water to a bowl of salt and mix until it becomes thick and slushy
Apply the salt mixture all over your body using clockwise circular movements. This will help to aid blood circulation and digestion.
Sink into a bath of warm water and soak for 20 minutes.
Benefits
This will help boost energy levels so if your’re feeling tired then this will really help. It is also great for boosting blood circulation and aiding with digestion if you use clockwise movements over your stomach.
DO NOT use this mixture over broken skin as the salt will really sting any open cuts and grazes.
Epsom Salts
What you’ll need
1 lb Epsom salt
Warm - hot bath (not too hot)
1 cup of herbal tea to re-hydrate
How to prepare the perfect bath
Simply pour the Epsom salt into a bath of warm-hot water.
Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes
Pat your body dry after the bath
Re-hydrate with a herbal tea
Benefits
This bath is great to sooth aching muscles. It will also help to sweat out toxins in the body to help fight off infections and colds. It is also good to take this bath before bedtime to help give you a restful nights sleep.
Be careful when getting out of the bath as you can sometimes get lightheaded, especially if the bath water has been too hot.
Be kind to yourself every now and then as self-care is so important for good health. You don’t need to spend lots of money going to the spa for a treatment, a DIY treatment at home will also have such good benefits for your body and mind.