In our strange new world where we are socially distanced from friends and family. I have been considering one of our vital senses and its importance: touch.
As an Aromatherapist, smell for me is paramount. However I also offer massage as part of the therapeutic effect of my business, and I have been pondering the lack of touch that some people will be experiencing.
Touch is crucial for our well-being. When we touch or are touched hormones are released into the bloodstream that helps keep us healthy. By experiencing just 25 seconds of touch our cortisol levels drop; the hormone responsible for making us feel stressed. But levels of our ‘feel-good’ hormones, namely Dopamine, Oxytocin and Serotonin rise. These hormones play a role in keeping our equilibrium steady, aiding our sleep pattern, maintaining healthy digestion and just simply making us feel good! So, what can we do in these times when tactile stimulation may be missing?
Having a massage from a professional or a loved one is a great way to proceed, but what if you are alone or self-isolating?
Self-massage can be beneficial to your well-being and will release those hormones. So, follow these easy steps to support your physical and emotional health. The best time to apply massage oil would be after a shower or bath. Leave the skin a little damp to assist with the overall moisturising effect of the application and take your time with the movements.
- Take a small amount of oil into one hand and rub your hands together to warm up your hands and the oil – add more oil as you need at any time.
- Starting at your ankles apply the oil to your legs in slow sweeping movements up to your thighs.
- With one hand, moulding it to the shape of your body, make circles around your belly button.
- Now sweep your hands up over your chest and up towards your neck.
- Using your opposite hand reach up to one shoulder and glide down your arm towards the hand. Repeat for the other shoulder and arm.
- Using both hands lay them gently over your face and slowly glide softly around the contours. Be gentle around your eyes and avoid your lips.
You can use any blending oil, but my personal favourite is Jojoba. It has a luxurious feel on your skin, it penetrates well and doesn’t leave any oily residue. Add your favourite essential oils to the blending oil, or simply try one of our ready-to-go Massage and Body Oils.
Get ready to release those feel-good hormones and enjoy!
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About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
