Nov. 17. 2017
Articles
Written By:
McKel (Hill) Kooienga
McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN

McKel Hill Kooienga, MS, RDN, LDN

Founder of Nutrition Stripped and the Mindful Nutrition Method™

These DIY Calming Bath Salts can help turn a nighttime soak into a soothing ritual.

There’s no doubt about it, this time of year is one of the busiest for most of us. Everyone is in full-on holiday prep mode, and schedules are jam-packed. Now, more than ever is the time to come back to the simple acts of self-care to feel your best. This easy tutorial for DIY Calming Bath Salts can help turn a nighttime soak into a soothing ritual and bring on must-needed relaxation for the mind and body.

Taking care of yourself looks very different for everyone and it doesn’t have to be a complicated plan, like a trip to an exclusive spa or several hours carved out of your night. Baths are one of my favorite ways to wind down from a long day, even when I’m in there for a quick soak. When I do have the time, I like to ritualize the little details that make me happy and bring me back to the present moment.  And yes, those are the little things like lighting a cozy candle, putting on a relaxing playlist, and bringing out some of my latest DIY Calming Bath Salts.

If you’re not already making your own bath salt blends, I’d highly recommend this easy and affordable tutorial. One of the best things about making your own bath salt blend is the versatility! You can mix and match your favorite essential oils for whatever effect your mind and body needs; think calming, invigorating, soothing, toning, etc. With this recipe, it includes lavender and eucalyptus essential oils for their spa-like, therapeutic aromatherapy qualities but you could also incorporate peppermint, orange, and bergamot essential oils. The possibilities are endless! There are a lot of claims about the health benefits of Epsom salts, and it’s important to note that Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, not the magnesium in your daily supplement. It’s actually difficult to truly measure how much magnesium is absorbed in a bath, but that doesn’t take away from that fact that it’s a great way to naturally calm down and quiet your mind. Lavender essential oils are a staple in many nighttime routines including mine. Some evidence suggests that lavender can increase slow-wave patterns for better sleep, too—sign me up! And add all of those benefits to the power of a warm bath, and you’ve got a foolproof way of giving your mind and body the relaxation it needs.

Lavender pairs nicely with eucalyptus, which has an invigorating, refreshing scent that can help with better breathing. Apart from using this essential oil in these DIY calming bath salts, you can also create a spa-like steam in the shower by dropping a few drops of the eucalyptus oil on a washcloth and hanging it inside the shower. If you’ve ever wondered how spas always smell so good, it’s the eucalyptus essential oil!

Here’s the “recipe” for this incredibly simple blend:

  1. A bowl or dish for immediate use, or glass jar for storage, gifting. This set of 5 from Etsy that have little wooden spoons for great holiday gifts!
  2. Epsom Salts: you can find this at your local grocery store or Amazon. It’s a great thing to have on-hand in large quantities for whenever you want a relaxing bath time ritual.
  3. Baking soda: this is important to include as it softens the water and makes it less irritating to the skin.
  4. Lavender and Eucalyptus essential oils: OuiFresh or try these

Here’s how:

Using a spoon or scoop, pour 1-2 cups Epsom salts into a bowl or a glass jar, depending on its size and if you want to make a few baths’ worth.  Next, add 1/4 cup baking soda. Follow by 15-30 drops of essential oil(s) into the glass jar. I share this number as a range because you have a little flexibility in how strong you make the smell.

A pro tip is to wait until the bath is drawn at least half-full to add to the warm water. The oils, when paired with the heat, can evaporate. By adding to the bath right before getting in, you’re able to enjoy the invigorating scents and their benefits even more.

If you give this bath salt recipe a try this weekend or make your own DIY Lavender Room Spray, please let us know and share a picture on Instagram so I can see it in action. I hope you have a wonderfully rejuvenating weekend. You deserve a little self-care!