I’ve tried a lot of these “relaxing” bath oils now – mainly due to the fact that I seem to live in a permanent state of self-induced life-stress – and that i can tell you that the Deep Relax from Aromatherapy Associates is one of the very best.
I seem have two functional modes: completely hyper, highly strung, kind of like Roadrunner on speed… and then total collapse. It’s probably not the best or healthiest way to live, but it seems to be the way I’m built. I have to forcibly relax myself at night by hiding my laptop and forgetting where I’ve put it (I have no short-term memory left, so it’s quite easy to lose it on purpose) and the only place I truly, truly turn off is in the bath.
Now look; these things are pricey. But you have to consider it almost medicinal, rather than purely luxurious. This isn’t just a crap quality carrier oil with some drops of artificial perfume put in, this is a highly concentrated blend of very carefully-chosen essential oils. Vetivert, Camomile and Sandalwood to calm, relax and comfort – the most beautiful low-key, sleep-inducing smell. Aromatherapy Associates are, to be honest, near-genius at blending oils – everything they create does exactly what it says around the bottle, whether it’s relaxing, reviving, de-stressing or mind-clearing.
So eliminate the fancy bubbles that smell of cake-shops. If you really want a proper, effective, value-for-your-money treat, this is it: just a capful, which is a teeny amount, and also you transform your bath into a personal spa. And I know that many brands say things like “bring the spa home!”, “create an exotic spa in your very own bathroom!” however this oil actually does do something quite special. I made use of it after I had found my toddler “doing the crossword” on my new, white 1200 thread-count bed linen, and my jaw miraculously unclenched itself, my brow un-furrowed, my fingernails gradually worked their way to avoid it from the palms of my hands…
Deep Relax is the one, I think, if you work too hard, play too hard, have kids way too hard or are generally just alive in the 21st Century. Because it’s almost impossible to change off, isn’t it? Regardless of how many times I’m told to “keep the electronics out of the bedroom”, I can’t seem to abide by the rules. If Mr AMR wasn’t an android, it would be easier, but I can’t perfectly leave him outside the bedroom door. Unless I put him into standby mode.
And in terms of “Light Relax”, the gentler form of this oil that Aromatherapy Associates make, why bother? I am talking about, it’s nice it exists, choices are nearly always a good thing, but when have you ever thought to yourself, ooh, I’d like to just relax, but not totally. Like, I’ll curl up with a book on the sofa but ensure that the cat continuously claws inside my cashmere throw the whole time I’m lying there. Light Relax, Relax Lite. Choose a beach holiday, but take your tax paperwork as reading material. Put on a face mask, but listen to the soundtrack from The Shining. Just relax a little bit. Not too much. Go for a spa day, but bring your most annoying work colleague – Barbara from renewals who never stops referring to her dog.
Ha. I’ll shut up now.
Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil is lb45 at SpaceNK here*.
If it’s pure, hit-with-a-frying-pan sleep-coma you would like, then take a look at the pillow spray from This Works. If it’s some thing uplifting and jolly, I can highly recommend the Energy Burst drops from NEOM. They work in the bath or shower – just like the Aromatherapy Associates oils. If you only have a shower to work with, just press a little capful of the oil between your palms and pat over your body. I like to just use on my upper body so that I can breathe in the scent – should you apply it to your chest it stays there for quite a remarkable amount of time before it gets washed away!
