Part 2: Hygge Beauty Rituals: Aromatherapy Foot Bath 

Hygge Beauty Rituals Part 1 shares about the feeling of coziness and comfort, Hygge.
An aromatherapy foot bath affects our entire body and imparts a feeling of comfort, wellness, relaxation and revitalization.

OUR FEET
Our feet are one of the most neglected areas of our body. We take them for granted. Our feet hold us up, balance our bodies and get us to where we want to go. We stuff our feet into uncomfortable shoes which result with corns or bunions and can be painful. Only when our feet are in pain do we realize how much our feet do for us. Our feet are the foundation of our body and the foundation to our health.

FOOT BATHS
Foot baths refresh, revive and invigorate not only our feet but our entire body. When your nerves are frayed and your energy is low, a foot bath will boost your energy, soothe your spirit and soften your feet. Foot baths work great for sore, swollen and aching feet especially after hiking, walking or bike riding. Foot baths work well for heat headaches. It pulls the hot energy out of your head down and out through your feet. Try 4 drops lavender and 2 drops peppermint essential oil.

You can always fit a foot bath into your busy schedule, you can take a foot bath while watching TV. Although, it’s better to create a spa space to relax and revitalize your entire self. Listen to some relaxing music or music that makes you feel good, burn some candles,  read a magazine or a book, have a cup of ginger tea, a glass of sparkling fruit water or just look out the window to nature and daydream. Keep a pad and pen by you to jot down inspirational ideas.

When your feet are in water you won’t get up to do the many things on your to do list and instead relax and just be. When we do good things for ourselves the list gets done quicker and easier.

THE CONTAINER
Use a metal tub, a big cooking pot, a plastic washing basin or sit on the side of your bathtub. Make sure the container is deep enough so that your ankles will be covered with water. Place a towel under the basin and one to the side to dry your feet. Foot baths are great to do outside on a warm day.

AROMATHERAPY FOOT BATH
1 tablespoon plant oil (avocado, safflower, sunflower, olive, almond, apricot)
2-6 drops essential oil (lavender, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree)

optional additions:
2 tablespoons sea salt
1 tablespoon dried herbs/flowers
1/4 cup fresh herbs/flowers
1/4 cup plant milk
1 tablespoon coconut milk powder
1 tablespoon baking soda

In a small mixing container add  2 tablespoons of safflower oil, sunflower oil, olive oil or a plant oil you have in your pantry and add up to 6 drops of essential oil and mix well. Essential oils are soluble in oil, not water. It is best to add them to plant oil first and then disperse into the water. This will help to minimize direct contact to essential oils. Direct skin contact with essential oils may cause sensitivity to the skin. You can add 2 tablespoons of your favorite sea salt, dried or fresh herbs and flowers and/or baking soda. Fill the foot basin with warm to hot water; a temperature that feels good to you. Add the essential oil mixture to the water and stir well. Make sure the water is not too hot before putting your feet in. Soak feet for 15-20 minutes.

ESSENTIAL OILS
These essential oils are great for the feet plus you receive the added benefits from the aroma of the essential oils.

Lavender essential oil is calming and soothing. Use for sore, swollen feet and heat headaches.
Lemon essential oil refreshes and revives. Use for hot, sore and swollen feet.
Peppermint essential oil is refreshing and reviving. Use for sore, tired, hot feet and heat headaches.
Rosemary essential oil refreshes, revives and stimulates circulation. Use for sore and swollen feet.
Tea tree essential oil is antifungal. Use for fungus or athletes foot.

MASSAGE YOUR FEET
There are so many therapeutic benefits to massage the feet. There are areas in the feet that correspond to other areas in your body. Search and learn about reflexology. After your foot bath, lovingly massage your feet with a foot salve. Foot salve recipe coming soon in this series.

HYGGE BEAUTY RITUALS SERIES
Read Part 1 Hygge Beauty Rituals: Herbal Facial Steam here

Read Part 3 Hygge Beauty Rituals: Massage with Softening Hand and Foot Balm

Read Part 4 Hygge Beauty Rituals: Crystal and Aromatherapy Bath

CREATE YOUR OWN NATURAL SPA PRODUCT LINE
Enrollment is open for the Winter Session Guided and mentored online professional course with cosmetic formulator, herbalist and aromatherapist Joan Morais. Enroll today here…