By Sam Kinghan | Edited by Anna Finlayson
Picture your proverbial Happy Place. It could be a tranquil garden, a tropical beach, your bedroom, your backyard growing up, or your favourite hiking trail. Whatever it is, close your eyes and envision yourself there. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, smell the saltiness of the ocean. Take yourself wherever your Happy Place exists in the corner of your mind.
Now picture incorporating this way of feeling- this way of being- into your everyday life.
That’s probably hard to imagine in this world that is so fast-moving, demanding, and, sometimes, downright unhappy. We all have that whole “pursuit of happiness” Will-Smith-movie-title thing going on in the inner corners of our psyches. The question is, how can we achieve it? How can we find our everyday Happy Place? In addition to the vital role that professional healthcare plays in both our mental and physical health, there is one form of holistic medicine that may help boost happiness and overall wellness: aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is the use of aromas, typically in the form of fragrant essential oils, for therapeutic purposes. Proponents of aromatherapy assert that it can offer a pathway to a profound sense of balance that is often elusive elsewhere in modern medicine. Although more research is needed to determine if aromatherapy can help treat serious mental health disorders such as depression, some evidence suggests that it may have serious benefits for finding that easy-to-miss road to one’s everyday Happy Place.
Imagine you’re sipping a cup of tea, your fingers wrapped around the warmth of the porcelain mug. As the steam rises and grazes your face, you close your eyes, inhale the fragrant aroma, and let the taste dance on your palate. In this moment, you are not racing against time, checking your to-do list, scrolling social media, or replaying past regrets. You are mindful and present in the simple act of sipping tea. Here, you are engaging in your everyday Happy Place.
As Third Avenue Spa introduces a new sensory experience- an Aromatherapy journey combined with professional relaxation massage techniques and practices- we invite you to consider the benefits of essential oils in your well-being routines.
YOUR WELLBEING JOURNEY: MIND, BODY, AND SOUL
Aromatherapy engages the mind, body, and soul. When combined with relaxation massage, results become more beneficial, with the ability to reach into our very being to orchestrate a certain holistic transformation that transcends the physical.
MIND
When inhaled, aromatic compounds drift through the olfactory channels and impact the brain’s limbic system, the core of our moods, emotions, and memories. As the aromas caress the senses, they have the power to elevate your mood, alleviate stress, and even stimulate cognitive functions. In this way, aromatherapy is the gentle conductor of your emotional orchestra, composing a symphony of serenity in the mind.
BODY
When applied to the skin, essential oils can have a tangible impact on alleviating aches and pains. Lavender, for instance, can ease muscle tension and promote relaxation, while eucalyptus can clear respiratory passages. The oils’ natural compounds can soothe aches, invigorate tired muscles, and nurture the skin. Aromatherapy massages and baths become rituals of rejuvenation, releasing the body from the tensions of everyday life.
SOUL
In the heat of our bustling lives, it’s easy to lose the essence of our inner selves- but the soul will always seek moments of peace, contemplation, and connection. Aromatherapy can be a space to rediscover what it means to feel peace, even if it is just for a moment. As you inhale the ethereal scent of rose, bask in the warmth of sandalwood, or cocoon yourself in steam infused with frankincense, you can transcend the mundane. You can find yourself in a sacred space where time slows, and your soul takes centre stage. The connection between fragrance and the soul is profound, awakening a sense of purpose and inner harmony.
AROMATHERAPY & ENHANCING YOUR WELLNESS JOURNEY
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of essential oils as you embark on a wellness journey, unveiling potent alternatives to nurture your mind, body, and soul. These natural extracts and traditional elixirs steeped in history harbour the power to infuse your life with a sense of equilibrium and serenity. From reducing stress and anxiety to boosting energy and enhancing your overall well-being, aromatherapy relaxation techniques offer a holistic approach to self-care that can be easily integrated into your wellness routines.
Join us as we embark on this fragrant journey towards an everyday Happy Place at Third Avenue Spa, and here’s to a brighter, more balanced future – one aromatic drop at a time.
