1 LIGHT UP YOUR DARK ROOM
To set the mood, turn off your lights and light up a few candles (please light the candles before you turn off the lights!). Choose candles that are created from beeswax or bayberry wax — these are both natural and have a fresh, sweet aroma. Try lavender, eucalyptus or cinnamon. Look for lead-free wicks that burn better.
2 ADD A SOOTHING SMELL
Incense is cheap aromatherapy — no expensive essential oils. It’s a great way to add a calming smell that penetrates your entire room. Incense is created from essential oils and is absorbed through our skin affecting our physiological processes, helping us relax. Once you choose which scent you want, simply stick it in a safe place where the ashes will fall without making a mess. Try creating your own incense holder by pouring sand in a cup and sticking your incense stick in it.
3 DRINK TEA
Pour yourself a cup of tea. Tea is a drink that helps your mind unwind and takes away the stress of your day. Try calming flavours such as lavender and chamomile for relaxation, green tea with honey for good health and ginseng-flavoured tea for energy.
4 LISTEN TO A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MUSIC
Put on relaxing music (no! I’m not talking about rap or pop). I’m talking about easy-listening, quiet, instrumental stuff like classic tunes by Bach or Beethoven that won’t create an aggravating mood. Music will spice up your room, yet help keep you focused on your mind, body and soul.
5 CLEANSE YOUR FACE
Once your atmosphere is set — your face is your next step! There are three steps to do while working on your face. First, dampen a face cloth with hot/warm water and cover your face with it. This will help open up your pores. Next step is cleansing your pores: apply a face mask, and if you don’t have one here’s a simple recipe to create your own: Mix 1 crushed/puréed apple+2 tbsp. honey+1/2 tsp. ground sage. Refrigerate for ten minutes. Mix again and leave on face for half an hour before washing it off. This will help you feel fresh and rejuvenated. When done with the mask, use your favourite moisturizer to soften your face.
6 SOFTEN YOUR HANDS
Exfoliate your hands by using a scrub. Then soak your hands into a bowl of warm water, close your eyes and focus on relaxing. After ten minutes or so take your hands out, wash them and dry. Then cover your hands with a rich moisturizer.
7 SOAK YOUR FEET
Do the same with your feet, except use an exfoliating scrub that will rub off dead skin particles. After soaking your feet in a bowl of warm water for ten minutes get a scraper and remove any extra dead skin. Moisturizing is always good after exfoliating.
8 PAINT YOUR NAILS
First remove all nail polish that already exists on your hands and feet, then soak your nails in water (only nails, not hands) and trim your cuticles with nail clippers. Choose a nail polish colour which best depicts your personality.
9 POSITIVE TALK
To clear your mind it helps to talk aloud positive messages to yourself. This can be done best by sitting in front of a mirror and looking into your own eyes. But this only works if you truly believe in what you are saying. Remind yourself about the good things in your life.
10 DREAM WHILE YOU’RE AWAKE
It will help you take your mind off worries and expand your mind in ways you don’t know exist. Lie in a comfortable position on your bed — preferably on your back. Close your eyes and clear your mind by thinking of a clear blue sky. Imagine yourself smelling the salt from the ocean, feeling the warm wind, and hearing waves crash against rocks. To use this relaxation technique you must imagine using all of your senses.
