There are so many aspects of spas that make them such a relaxing retreat, from the décor to the music to the fluffy robes or occasional glass of wine. There’s another thing that adds to the overall atmosphere: the scent. Calming scents like lavender or orange blossom waft through many spas, to give you a subtle sense of calm. Of course, scents in spas are nothing new. What is new, however, is the use of essential oils in various treatments.
No longer is aromatherapy used only for atmosphere, it is being incorporated into stress reduction, mood enhancement, pain relief and even sleep therapy. It’s a perfect fit for the spa industry, which is moving toward more holistic treatment and natural ingredients. There are no chemicals in essential oils, just the pure essence of the item they came from, whether flowers, leaves or other parts of the plant.
Spas are even going a step farther when it comes to aromatherapy with the customization of scents. It’s well-known that scents evoke memory and emotions, and that gives spas the perfect opportunity to customize treatments based on the particular client’s need. It’s natural, it’s evocative, it’s scentsational!
The Benefits of Good Scents
Aromatherapy can be good for you in many ways. It’s a great stress reliever and mood booster, helping you to relax with ease. The body’s response to scent is instantaneous, getting to the brain instantly instead of having to travel through the body to get there. Scents can also unlock pleasant memories, making them a perfect relaxation technique. The scent of salt water can bring you back to a Florida vacation, the scent of apples can remind you of Grandma’s famous pies. Scent links you to your past and brings back happy memories.
Aromatherapy is also good for our health. Studies have found that certain scents can have positive impacts on the brain and even have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Although research is limited, aromatherapy has been found to help with anxiety and depression and improve quality of life for those with chronic illnesses. From insomnia to headaches to emotional problems, aromatherapy shows promise in easing the pain.
Scent Gets Personal
If scents can evoke pleasant memories and help with certain health ailments, it stands to reason that many spas are now offering custom scents based on what the client is looking for. It ties in to the holistic approach of meeting personal needs of spa-goers. Spas are offering treatments with specialized scents or are even custom-blending essential oils based on therapeutic needs
Westin Hotels & Resorts’ Heavenly Spas has partnered with Aromatherapy Associates to offer signature aromatherapy treatments at its locations worldwide. These treatments include massages, scrubs, facials and renewal rituals. Spa guests use the “How do you want to feel?” wellness wheel to determine the best treatment and scent for them.
For example, the Aspire Massage includes customized plant aromatherapy oils and the massage method of your choice. The Revive Facial is a soothing aromatherapy facial in which the oils are blended based on how you want to feel after the treatment.
High-Tech and Down-to-Earth
As down-to-earth as essential oils are, another exciting new offering blends the natural with the technical. Aromatherapy company Body Bliss is coming out with an Aroma Design Bar with Intentional Aromatherapy App in early 2014, which will allow spa owners to access information on aromatherapy in a simple format in order to develop personalized treatments for clients. They can use the app to create personalized products for clients that can be used in treatments and can also be taken home.
Up to 250 different scents can be created based on personal preferences. The therapist and the client will work together to come up with just the right scent. You can choose from Positive Outcomes, based on how you want to feel now; Loving Messages, for a truly personalized gift; Plant Spirits, which focuses on blending; and Special Seasonal Blends, for special holiday-themed treatments. It’s both high-tech and down-to-earth!
Scents and Sensibility
Different essential oils evoke different feelings and can assist with different ailments, as we have seen. AromaWeb offers an Essential Oils Directory that can help you find the perfect scent for your ideal spa treatment or for use in your own home. You can find the perfect scents for your well-being, for the seasons and holidays, or the best citrus scents for you. Here are just a few:
- Lemon Balm is a fresh, lemony scent that can help with anxiety, insomnia and cramping.
- Rose has a strong, sweet scent and is good for depression, eczema and stress.
- Peppermint has a concentrated, minty aroma. It aids with exhaustion, nausea and sinus problems.
- Scotch Pine has a fresh, woodsy, balsamic scent and is good for colds, coughs and the flu.
- Bitter Orange, as its name implies, has a bitter orange aroma and aids with dull skin, stress, and mouth and gum issues.
- Lavender is floral, sweet, fresh and herbaceous. It can help with numerous problems, including skin issues, headaches, insect bites, sprains and stress.
- Eucalyptus is a woody, earthy scent that is good for arthritis, coughs and circulation issues.
- Coriander has a sweet, spicy and slightly fruity scent. It helps with aches, fatigue and indigestion.
Aromatherapy can relax and revive you, soothe your soul and energize your mood (and that’s no oil scam!). It’s the perfect way to eliminate stress and make you feel and smell great. Put the power of scents to work for you at your favorite spa or in the comfort of home. It only makes scents!
Take some time to relax and unwind.
Alicia
Photo by Naomi King.