Even though hot showers are already calming and pleasant, you can make yours seem like an opulent spa.
All you need is a basic wooden clothespin and an essential oil. Suddenly, taking a morning shower can help you feel happier, more alert, and more in control.
Additionally, taking a shower before bed can help you de-stress and unwind so that you can sleep better. The best part is that the preparation for this trick just takes a few minutes.
The Clothespin Essential Oil Shower Hack
You will need:
Wooden clothespin (plastic won’t work)
Your favorite essential oil scent
Directions:
1. Pick your oil
Not all essential oil brands are equal. Look for high-quality products that contain only plant compounds with no additives or synthetic oils. Research the brand before buying to ensure their products have a good reputation. Here are some scent suggestions:
Lavender is a popular, subtly floral scent that can aid with sleep and relaxation.
Roman chamomile is also calming with a lightly floral and herbal smell.
Rose can help with anxiety and its scent may be familiar to those new to essential oils.
Vetiver has a smoky, woody, sweet scent to relax the body and boost moods.
Citrus oils, like orange, grapefruit, and lemon, can give a shower a fresh and energizing feeling.
Any essential oil that smells pleasant to you. You can also use a combination of two or three smells.
2. Apply the oil
The clothespin has to be wooden so it can soak in the oil. Simply place a few drops of oil onto either side of the clothespin. You don’t need to drench it since you will eventually have to reapply the oil anyway, depending on how often the shower is used.
3. Clip it to your showerhead
Next, clip the clothespin to the top edge of your showerhead where it won’t get wet. Instead, the steam of the hot water will release the scent into your shower, like a diffuser. If the pin won’t fit on your showerhead, clip it onto your shower curtain or any other area where the steam will reach it but the water won’t.
4. Enjoy heavenly aroma
The healing and restorative effects of essential oils are often exaggerated with little to no scientific backing. Don’t expect these scents to cure mental illnesses or chronic pain but pleasant-smelling oils can improve people’s moods and make them feel more relaxed and energized. They can also encourage deep breathing, which can lead to health benefits like reduced stress, improved digestion, relieved pain, lowered blood pressure, etc.
So take a few deliberate breaths to reap the extra benefits of a soothing shower with your favorite essential oil. Whether you shower in the morning or before bed, a simple refreshing and calming smell can have many positive effects for the rest of the day/night.
However, essential oils may cause side effects like rashes, allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and headaches. So look out for these symptoms and stop using the oils immediately i they appear. Also, there has been very little research on the effect on oils for pregnant or breastfeeding women, so they should avoid them for the time being. Oils can also cause adverse reactions to children and pets. And essential oils should never be ingested under any circumstances.