How often do you relax? Really relax? Vegetating in front of the TV doesn't count, neither does sleeping. Relaxation is something you do, not something that just happens when you're not busy. It's a gift you give yourself, but it's also a necessity of life. We all know what happens when you get wound too tight. Stress leads to everything from bad hair and skin to heart disease and cancer. Who needs that?

Not everyone can take a week off to go to a luxury spa and be pampered. Not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars on products and fancy bottles, either. But you can take an hour or two each week, some easy to find ingredients and make your own spa at home. It's all about giving your body, mind and spirit some well-deserved time off.

Atmosphere

Choose just one room in your house where you can be alone and quiet. The bathroom is the usual choice, but it can be anywhere. Prepare your space ahead of time so you can relax during your spa time. Clean, declutter and dust the space. It doesn't have to be perfect; but your mind needs to be at peace, not looking at the pile of clothes to be folded. There should be no reminders of "stuff I should be doing instead of relaxing."

Now that the space is cleared, start adding things that will help you relax. Soft music, scented candles or incense, fresh flowers, photos of loved ones or special mementos can all be beneficial. Just be sure you don't reclutter the space you just cleared.

Do you relax better in the company of good friends? Why not invite the girls over for a spa party? You can divide up the ingredients list and ask everyone to bring one item.

Ingredients

Ingredients for the recipes that follow can be found in the grocery store, pharmacy or health food store. You don't need to spend a lot of money buying ten different essential oils all at once. Start with one or two relaxing or energizing scents and add to your collection over time. A home spa is something you want to do regularly, so you have the rest of your life to try new ingredients.

Herbs and essential oils are strong medicine. If you are pregnant or nursing, ask your practitioner if any of the ingredients you plan to use may be dangerous to your child! Certain oils such as juniper are toxic during pregnancy. Do not take any essential oil internally.

Essential oils are so strong you only need to use a drop or two at a time, so they will last a long time. You may even want to split a bottle with a friend to lessen the cost. Different oils have different effects on the mind and body.

If you want to re-energize instead of relax, or you want to clear your sinuses or relieve muscle pain, you can switch out one oil in the recipe for a different one with the properties you desire. You can also use two or more different oils together, say for relaxation and pain relief. There are whole books devoted to explaining the different properties of oils and herbs. Take the time to educate yourself. You might just find that cure for your tension headaches.

Because these treatments are made from fresh ingredients, they spoil easily. Make only what you need. They have no artificial preservatives, so they don't have a shelf life.

Herbal Properties

Here are some common household herbs and what they are used for. If you use dried herbs, use about 1 teaspoon in your recipe. If you use fresh herbs, chop them up or crush the leaves to release the oils and use about 2 teaspoons.

• Peppermint: cleansing, toning, refreshing
• Rosemary: stimulating, pain relief
• Thyme: cleansing, refreshing, toning
• Sage: cleansing, toning
• Lemon Balm: soothing, calming
• Sweet Marjoram: soothing, calming
• Chamomile: soothing, cleansing, anti-inflammatory
• Essential Oil Properties

Here are some common essential oils. There are hundreds of different kinds, so don't limit yourself to the ones listed here. You should be able to find most of them at any natural food store. Essential oils can break down quickly, so store them in dark bottles to preserve their potency.

• Arnica: pain relief, bruise/tissue trauma healing
• Lavender: soothing, relaxing, anti-depressant
• Lemon: cleansing, toning, antiseptic (avoid unprotected sun exposure for 12 hours after use)
• Juniper: cleansing, improving circulation (especially for cellulite), decreasing fluid retention
• Cardamom: stimulating, warming for stiff muscles and backache

THE RECIPES

These recipes are just a starting point! There are hundreds of refreshing, relaxing concoctions that have been written down over the years. Why not get a special journal for recording your favorites? You can even experiment with making up your own recipes. Have fun with it.

Enjoy!

Facial Steam

Cleanse your face normally. Then pour almost-boiling water into a bowl. Don't over fill it. Next add herbs or essential oils according to the benefits you want. If you want to deep clean, you could add juniper, sage, thyme or peppermint. If you want to relax, add a few drops of lavender, sweet marjoram or lemon balm. You can mix and match or just use one at a time. If you are using herbs, be sure to let them steep for about five minutes for maximum effect.

Put your face over the steaming bowl and place a towel over your head to make a tent. The steam opens your pores, and the herbs help deep clean and refresh. Stay under your tent for 10 to 15 minutes.

Steaming is also a great way to relieve sinus headaches and allergy congestion.

Acne Tonic

Put 2-3 teaspoons of dried basil into one cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 20 minutes. Cool and apply to acne with a cotton ball. This tonic will keep in the refrigerator for up to 90 days.

Avocado Facial

• For Dry Skin: use 1 egg yolk and 1 avocado
• For Oily Skin: use 1 egg white, 1 tsp. lemon juice, and 1/2 an avocado

Mash the inside of the avocado and blend with the other ingredients. Apply to your face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with plain water.

Deep Conditioner for Hair

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup olive oil (2 T. for oily hair)
• 4 drops rosemary oil (promotes hair growth)
• 1 tsp. xanthan gum (available at health food stores)

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and store in a clean plastic bottle. Apply to damp hair, wrap hair in a warm towel (warm it up in the dryer or microwave) and leave on for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse with cool water.

Hair Mask for Chlorine Damaged Hair

• 1 egg
• 1/2 eggshell full olive oil
• 1/4 peeled cucumber

Mix in a blender until smooth. Massage into hair and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse as usual. Use this mask monthly during peak swimming season.

Sea Salt Body Scrub

Mix together 3 Tablespoons fine sea salt and 6 drops grapefruit or lemon essential oil. Get in the shower and rub the mixture briskly all over your body. Then rinse well. The sea salt exfoliates and the oils cleanse and detoxify the skin.

Hot Paraffin Dip for Hands and Feet

This popular spa treatment will leave your hands and feet feeling incredibly soft!

• 1 cup quality beeswax or paraffin
• 10 Tablespoons sweet almond oil
• 8 Tablespoons virgin olive oil
• 5 drops lavender oil
• 3 drops chamomile oil

Melt the wax in a crock pot on low heat. Do not use medium or high because wax will burst into flame if it gets too hot. When the wax is melted, add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Pour the wax into a pan large enough for your hand or foot. A turkey roasting pan works nicely. Make sure the wax is not too hot. You can check it with a candy thermometer. 91 to 98 degrees is just right.

Dip one hand or foot in at a time until it is completely covered by the wax. Take your hand out of the wax and wait about 8 minutes for the wax to set up. Peel the wax off.

Don't throw the wax away! You can reuse it several times. Just remelt it. If the formula gets too dry or loses its scent, just add a little more oil.