The sensitive skin and tissues of the feet contain many nerves and blood vessels that readily absorb the healing effects of essential oils and carry them throughout the body. A foot massage can be easily performed on oneself and is a perfect stress reducing activity.

Begin your luxurious foot treatment by soaking in a very warm foot bath, enhanced with the addition of minerals such as Borax, Epsom salt, baking soda, sea salts and French clay powders. Add herbs and flowers such as rose, chamomile, lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus. These will release their therapeutic scents and look beautiful floating in the water. Also add a few drops of relaxing and soothing essential oils to complete this indulgent blend. Here's one suggested recipe:

2 tbsps sea salt • 1 tbsp Epsom salts • 1 tbsp sodium bicarbonate or baking soda • 1 tbsp French white clay powder • 1 tbsp rose petals • 1 tbsp lavender flowers • 8 drops lavender oil • 4 drops rose oil • 4 drops cedarwood oil • 2 drops patchouli oil

Mix the essential oils evenly throughout the dry mixture. Dissolve the mixture in two gallons of hot water, making sure the oils are dispersed.

Aromatherapy helps us counter the stress and tension in our lives with aromas that inspire us to pause and take note of what's most important. If our work rewards us for maintaining a state of stress, we need to reward ourselves in turn with the relaxing and soothing effects of essential oils. Make relaxation a part of your self-care routine with aromatherapy.

Essential oils that help us achieve a state of relaxation include:

chamomile, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, patchouli, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang. To select the oils that produce the response in you want, smell each one individually and notice the physical and emotional responses it evokes. Try using the oils that resonate with you.