Winter Essentials

Feeling a little like hibernating now that the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer? Essential oils work on both body and mind. Try these pick-me-ups to put a little sunshine in your life.

Citrus refresher

Keep a bottle of lemon, orange or grapefruit oil (whatever you like best) handy in your shower. Before stepping in, sprinkle a few drops on the back of the tub where the spray won't hit it directly. The citrus scent will rise with the mist to uplift you. You can also add some rosemary oil to your shampoo and work it into your roots for a scalp-tingling lift.

Skin soother

Keep this relaxing blend handy whenever your skin feels dry or you need something refreshing to lift you out of the winter doldrums.

Add to a 60-ml bottle of purified water:

• 6 drops orange
• 5 drops lavender
• 5 drops chamomile
• 4 drops geranium

Orange is always uplifting, like sunshine in a bottle. Lavender and geranium are the great balancers of essentials oils, whether for emotions or an overly dry or oily skin. Chamomile is soothing and calming, and will help diminish red, inflamed skin or broken capillaries.