Mental health is an essential aspect of our wellbeing that should not be overlooked. Your physical health is extremely important, but so is your mental and emotional wellbeing. It has been estimated that 6 in 100 people in the UK will be diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, and over 8 million people are experiencing an anxiety disorder at any one time (Mental Health UK). If you find yourself experiencing severe anxiety, depression, or another mental disorder, be sure to contact your doctor or therapist for help. They will provide you with the right advise to help you to heal and recover.
None of us are excluded from this conversation. There are many unprecedented challenges that we encounter in all of our daily lives which can cause stress and anxiety, and have a negative impact on our mental and emotional health. As a result, many people are exploring new ways to reduce stress levels and prioritise a healthy mind and heart as well as a beautiful skin. At Bath House, we are dedicated to providing a positive association between skincare, fragrance and the way it makes you feel.
Ingrid Thompson / Skin & Fragrance Expert talks about the different products she uses to improve her mental wellbeing. “Having a mindful skincare routine can help everyone’s mental health. I’d like to share some of the self-care products that I use to unwind and relax, even on the busiest of days.”
“My first ‘go to’ for a simple, easy destress is a warm bath. There’s nothing quite like it to help me unwind and let go of the stresses of the day. The feeling of sinking into the warm water and letting my mind drift can be incredibly therapeutic. I always find that, as I adjust to the warming effects of the water around me, my stress levels are lowered. If you are feeling anxious, a bath can physically force your body to change how it processes that anxiety. It’s also good for helping with sleep, vital to a healthy mind as a side effect of the bath.
Using Bergamot & Amber bath soak is my favourite way to unwind and relax after a long day. The warm and comforting fragrance creates a calming atmosphere that helps me to destress and unwind. So next time you have a choice of taking a shower or a bath, do as the romans did and step into a warm aromatic bath. It might just change your life.”
“Massage therapy – it’s my go to treatment for trying to gain an equilibrium when life throws too much at me. It dates back thousands of years to ancient cultures around the world and is one of the oldest and most natural forms of healing. It reduces stress, improves mood and promotes deep relaxation. It decreases the effects of anxiety on the body and mind, providing two types of benefits, immediately and cumulative. Today, we all live such hectic and fast paced lifestyles, so it’s important to prioritise yourself, unwind, step back and rejuvenate.
Relaxation is so important for our physical and mental wellbeing. Aromatherapy massage is my favourite type of massage; essential oils promote relaxation, improve the mood and uplift your spirit. I use the Rose Absolute massage oil as it’s a calming therapeutic oil blend that has a wonderful aroma of warm floral rose and herbaceous geranium, that is deeply relaxing.
If you can’t afford or make time for a professional massage, a self-massage is a good way to reduce stress. The important thing is that you relax and really take time for yourself to enjoy the experience. Massage is a great way to help provide relief from life’s ups and downs, so always make time for yourself and you will see the benefits.
“Fragrance and emotional wellbeing do have connections. Like a diary entry smell, a perfume and your memory registers this, so the next time you smell the same scent, it may take you back to the first experience, be it positive or negative. It could be the memory of walking through fresh green leaved woodlands, the intoxicating fragrance of honeysuckle drifting on the night breeze, nostalgic scent associated with your mother, father or home which will remind you of security and happiness. These aromas remind us of experiences of the past and immediately we are transported to that time. This lowers our stress levels and improves our overall mental outlook and explains why they have the potential to influence our mood and psychological wellbeing.
The fragrance that I love is Climbing Trees. It has citrus and bergamot ingredient notes, evoking invigorating feelings of uplifting mood and a pick-me-up but it equally captures warm undertones of earthy woody notes. These attribute feelings of being grounded, deeply rooted and cocooned. But as a middle note, it has the clean aroma of white floral jasmine which provides a cleansing of the mind and alludes to the fresh nature of this fragrance. So whenever I want a relaxing calm environment, this is my go to fragrance, whether it be a spritz when going out or a relaxing night in.
“Taking care of my skin is an important part of my self-care. I set aside a time each morning and evening to follow a skincare routine – this becomes a meditative practice. Having an organised and set routine makes me feel happy, it’s a time when I can relax in my safe place, where I can take care of my body and have fun. I use the Kombu Seaweed range which has become my daily ritual, occasionally enjoying an ‘at home’ face mask which can be fun and it all helps to positively impact my mental health by encouraging self-care, as it strengthens self-worth and reduces stress.
If you suffer from mental health such as anxiety or depression, your self-worth may be low, and you may not participate in self-care because you don’t feel like you deserve it. But we all deserve self-care in our lives, and it can be as simple a thing like washing and moisturising your face. This can be a comforting and regular activity to your day, giving you confidence and self-worth even on days when you don’t feel like doing anything. Skincare can seem like a small thing compared to other aspects in our lives, but don’t underestimate its ability to improve your self-worth. The small things in life can make all the difference.
Overall, incorporating these self-care products into my daily routine has been a game-changer for my mental and emotional health. Taking the time to relax and unwind has helped me to reduce stress levels and prioritised my wellbeing.
Life isn’t all about getting on and rushing to the next thing! It’s also about relaxing and taking care of yourself. Skincare and fragrance are great tools to do just that; they help you take an important moment in your day to tune into how you are feeling. So next time you establish a face care routine, spritz your favourite perfume or have a luxurious bath, you’ll be amazed at the mindset shift you will experience towards your body, towards self-love and your skin.
So don’t forget to take time for yourself and enjoy.
