“The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day,” said the Greek physician Hippocrates. The father of medicine surely knew the secret of two potent sensory perceptions at play thousands of years ago--namely sense of smell and touch!

A healing touch when combined with aromas of essential oils can be powerful and alleviate one’s state of mind many times over! Essential oils are condensed essences extracted from different parts of a plant or tree (flower, fruit, bark, stem, leaves). 

An aromatherapy massage has been proven to reduce depressive moods and anxiety in many studies. It almost acts as a natural anti-depressant by releasing feel-good hormones such as endorphins or into our body.

Today, life may be a lot more fast-paced since the age of Hippocrates, but the remedy to good health remains the same. Don’t let your routines and chores overpower your need for quality self-care. In this article, we take a look at four simple and quick aromatherapy massages that can be done on the go, be it a spa or at home!

EAR MASSAGE

An ear massage can be a simple and easy way to relax. It can be done anywhere, anytime - at a traffic light, while watching TV, in the waiting room, or during a vacation. Squeeze a couple of drops of aromatherapy massage oils, rub it on your palms to generate frictional heat and start pressing all along your ear cavities. Now, tug along the ear and feel the heat rising! Since the ears are physically closer to the brain - our control center, and the nasal tract - relaxation sets in faster. The ears also have more than 200 acupressure points! So an ear massage can serve dual purpose. Plus, you can do it all by yourself!

LOVE LANGUAGE

FOOT MASSAGE

A end-of-the-day foot massage with aromatic oils could go a long way in not just keeping your soles soft, but also soothing your nerves. Foot reflexology, a concept that each part and gland of the body have nerve endings on the feet, dates back to the age of Hippocrates. Foot reflexology improves blood circulation, reduces pain, enhances sleep and relaxation. Getting someone to massage your foot could well be the cherry on the cake!

NAVEL OILING

According to Ayurveda (the ancient Indian medical system), the navel region is crucial to channelize the cosmic and bio-energy field. Oiling the navel can unclog this energy flow and aid digestion. It's no wonder that pediatricians suggest a belly rub for soothing colic issues in babies. For adults too, navel oiling with a dash of peppermint essential oil could do wonders for digestion. Begin by tapping a couple of drops of any natural oil into the navel. Now, clearing out your navel pit, massage your belly gently for a couple of minutes in a clockwise direction and that's it!

Just like your vehicle gets serviced regularly, your body needs servicing and rejuvenation too. An aromatherapy massage is like taking your vehicle to the best service provider in town! So go ahead and give your body and mind the best servicing it deserves!

How do you try and incorporate aromas and touch in your daily life? We’d love to hear your tips and tricks!