Stress Relief for the Winter Blues

by Susan on February 10, 2010

Mmmmm…for your tummy? No, for your tired aching body! Last night I hit the wall. Hours upon hours on the computer, the stress of the cold, plus all the things that life throws at us made me throw in the towel. I needed something quick to bring me back to life.  All I could think about was a nice, hot bath.

If you want to turn your bath into a muscle soothing, stress relieving sanctuary, you can go out and spend a bunch of money on bath salts or, you can make your own. They are very inexpensive and as far as I am concerned, superior to anything you can buy. All you need are some Epsom Salts, sea salt and a few of your favorite essential oils.

Epsom Salts are the mineral compound,  magnesium sulfate. When put in your bath, Epsom salts relax muscles and draw out toxins. They have a wonderfully soothing effect on your nervous system and smooth your skin! Epsom Salts can even reduce stress by raising your serotonin levels. One more benefit? They help increase your energy levels. You can read more about Epsom Salts on the Epsom Salt Council’s website, HERE.

All I know is that I mixed up this these wonderful bath salts and as I slid into the water, I met bliss. My aches and pains floated away as did all the stresses of the day. I got a great night’s sleep and woke up feeling ready to face the day. Do something special for yourself and relax with this wonderful soak.

Lavender, Eucalyptus,  and Peppermint Bath Salts

  • 4 C Epsom Salts
  • 2 C Coarse Sea Salt
  • 1/2 t Peppermint Essential Oil
  • 1/2 t Lavender Essential Oil
  • 1/2 t Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Mix Epsom Salt and sea salt together. Blend in essential oils. Use 1-2 C in your bath and enjoy!

{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

Erin @ Living and Loving In L.A. February 10, 2010 at 10:16 pm

Oh my goodness! This is such a great post! While marathon training I took Epsom salt baths frequently, but not recently! Thanks for reminding me of one of my favorite pastimes! And with a recipe, no less!

bitt February 10, 2010 at 10:20 pm

nothing like a soothing bath. ahhhhh.

hihorosie February 10, 2010 at 10:41 pm

Oooh! Sounds so nice!

Maurie Kirschner February 10, 2010 at 11:05 pm

My favorite Naturopathic doctor recommended epsom salt baths to me many years back to help with pain related to auto-immune issues and to help draw toxins out since my body has a harder time than most dealing with them. He was right, it helped a lot. And any doctor who recommends a hot bath is a keeper. (As are fellow bloggers that do the same thing.) My only wish is to someday have my own claw foot or Japanese soaking tub – oh bliss. Shallow tubs are the pits.

I like your combination of essential oils – I’ll have to try that blend next time I mix a batch up.

Dawn Hutchins February 11, 2010 at 9:30 am

Thank you for the idea! I love a nice hot bath (when I get a free minute to indulge) and this mixture sounds so heavenly.

Sarah February 11, 2010 at 10:23 am

Great idea! I have a jacuzzi tub and never use it… I need to take some time for myself and enjoy a nice hot bath :)

Ronni February 11, 2010 at 11:21 am

Great idea, but what if you’re still nursing your child?

Susan February 11, 2010 at 11:23 am

I would ask your physician. :-)

Cyndee Greene February 11, 2010 at 12:16 pm

GREAT post!
I recommend Epsom Salt Baths to my massage clients all the time. But I had no idea about the Epsom Salt website. I love it! Thank you so much for sharing that! I learned so much more about Epsom Salt there.
AND it also reminded me to soak. I have a great tub. But I hate my bathroom. It is definitely time to change that ;) )

Susan February 11, 2010 at 12:17 pm

Lol…My bathroom is one of my most favorite rooms. Doesn’t cost that much to paint, etc!

Marcia February 11, 2010 at 2:09 pm

I just bought a big package of Epsom Salt!!!!
But i did not know all this benefits – great Susan! Thanks you a lot!
Love and Blessings

Lauren @ Eat, Drink, and Be Hopeful February 11, 2010 at 2:34 pm

I absolutely love reading your blog even if I am not 100% raw. To be honest I just started reading about eating raw and about all the benefits. I love getting recipes from here and I can not wait to purchase a dehydrator. The pictures are great too. This bath soak sound luxurious. I love soaking in Epsom salt. I must try this.

Michal February 11, 2010 at 4:59 pm

Sounds like what I need with all of this yucky snow!

rawvelous February 11, 2010 at 5:23 pm

Mmmm, my family loves baths made with salts and essential oils. We’ll try your recipe next… any volunteers? :D

Gwen February 11, 2010 at 8:12 pm

This sounds great – I was thinking this would be good to mix up and give to some girlfriends as a gift….what would be a good item to give the “salt” in? thanks for the great tips!

Dina February 11, 2010 at 10:31 pm

thanks for the “recipe” — I can’t wait to try it

Luz February 12, 2010 at 8:34 am

I always pour a pound of Epsom Salts, some salt, and about a pound of baking soda into my bath water. I keep essential oil bottles in my bathroom just for my speacial baths.

When I’m in the mood I’ll rub in a sugar scrub that I made. I mixed a bag of course dark sugar with coconut oil and then mixed it with all with a few essential oils. It’s delicious and useful as a body scrub.

Susan February 13, 2010 at 10:06 am
Dot D. February 13, 2010 at 1:49 pm

Susan, What are the dark seeds on the salt? Looks inviting….as your pictures always do.

Stacey June 21, 2010 at 5:48 pm

looks like the flowers from a lavender plant. very relaxing stuff!

Dia July 21, 2010 at 5:49 am

YEA!!! I love epsom salts!! My mom would put some in a dishpan, & we’d soak our feet when I was growing up – I also mix essential oils into my epsom salts (several drops of lavender, clary sage & geranium) & put a handful or two into my bath. When my granddaughters visit, the 5 year old often requests a foot bath (in my fancy footbath which vibrates or has bubbles), with epsom salts & the candles . . . bliss!
I often sprinkle some on a washcloth, & put that on my shoulders (also have a small tub)
Re nursing – shouldn’t be at all a problem – esp if you have a fussy baby, you may NEED more magnesium, both external & internal!
In my massage practice, when I encounter clients with ‘rock hard’ shoulders, I often suggest they look into supplemental magnesium, women in the US tend to get ~ 1/2 the RDA, & men ~ 2/3 (RDA is 500 mg; another formula is 2/5-4/5 mg per # of ‘ideal weight’)
Fun to add some lavender flowers!

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