As a parenting coach, I understand the value of self-care for parents. When we feel good and relaxed, as opposed to stressed out of our minds, we are so much better parents. We are more calm and patient, and better able to guide our children. So it is super important to make time for self-care.
We can’t give to others if we don’t also give to ourselves.
There are thousands of ways to do this, but today I will be sharing a DIY recipe for a soothing foot spa with essential oils and epsom salts.
The wonderful thing about these DIY recipes is that there is less wasteful packaging and no harmful chemicals involved. Win-win for both us, and Mother Earth! Have you noticed that oftentimes the things that are healthiest for us, are also the very same things that are healthiest for our planet too? Wonderful isn’t it?
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of epsom salts
- 3 drops of lavender essential oil
- 3 drops of chamomile essential oil
- 3 drops of lemon or orange essential oil
- 1 tablespoon of carrier oil (this could be olive oil, sweet almond oil or any other carrier oil you have)
Please note: If you have nut allergies check with a doctor before using sweet almond oil, or opt for a different carrier oil.
Instructions:
Take a large bowl, or washing up bowl and add the epsom salts.
Drop the oils into the epsom salts and then fill with warm water, so that there will be enough water in the bowl to cover your feet when you immerse them in the bowl.
Boil a kettle of hot water.
Get yourself comfortable, bring whatever you need as you won’t be able to move around for a while while you relax your feet. This includes a towel to dry your feet with afterwards. I always bring a big glass of water too. Other things I recommend are a journal, or good book. You could light a candle or incense, and get into comfortable clothes or pyjamas.
Do whatever YOU feel inspired to and makes you feel relaxed!
Sit in your comfortable sofa or chair, and immerse your feet, pouring more hot water in whenever you need to. Be careful to not pour too much hot water in at a time, and take care to remove your feet when you do so that there is no chance you’ll burn yourself. Use caution and sense so that the foot spa will be a pleasurable experience.
Enjoy until your feet are wrinkly and the water isn’t as warm anymore!
Pro tip: When your children see you make a foot spa, or do any acts of self-care, they too are learning about the value of self-care and how necessary it is to our health and well-being.
Epsom salts have so many beneficial properties. Epsom salts also known as Magnesium sulphate can:
- increase serotonin
- soothe sore muscles
- can help release headaches and migraines
- soften hard skin
- improve sleep
- has been used to treat pre-eclampsia
- has been used to treat lead poisoning by vets
The essential oils are all very soothing as well, especially the chamomile and lavender which are known for their relaxing and calming properties. The fresh uplifting scent of the lemon and orange citrus oils are known to boost mood, and they act as a beautiful balancer when combined with the other two essential oils.
When you are done with the water you can pour the water down the toilet and make your bathroom smell amazing or give it back to the earth by pouring it on the grass.
Fun fact: Did you know that the pores of your skin on your feet are some of the biggest on your body? This means we absorb things much more and at a faster rate through our feet than other parts of our body. So all the healthy properties from the epsom salts etc., can benefit us so much when we make a foot spa.
Kids usually enjoy spas too so don’t be surprised if your little ones want to join you! You can always use less essential oils in a foot spa for your child if you are considering their sensitive skin.
HAVE FUN!
Camilla Gammelgaard-Baker is Parenting Coach and Psychodynamic Counsellor working with clients all over the world. With a background in psychology and with 20+ years experience of working with families, she is known for her work with Mothers to overcome self-doubt and burn-out. She currently lives a very eco-friendly life in Denmark with her husband, son, cat and dog.