You know those weeks, or months, that it seems like no matter what you do you can’t seem to get ahead? That is what this month has been for me so far. There wasn’t any one major event, but a whole bunch of hurdles that appeared out of nowhere. After a while the little things started to feel like big things and I began to unravel.
Then I sat down with an essential oil warm compress pack that I had made a while ago and placed it on my head. In about ten minutes, I had calmed down significantly. So much so that I just knew that I had to write a post about it right away. Sometimes a bad day can generate a good idea, I guess.
Originally this essential oil hot pack was made for my son when he was having trouble sleeping due to some stress and muscle tension. It was a project I found online and tweaked to fit our needs.
Making a DIY essential oil hot or cold compress pack can be helpful for a variety of different needs. Sometimes the body can benefit from heat sent to a specific area. Other times it can benefit more from cold. This essential oil hot or cold pack can be used to support normal body temperatures, help soothe muscles, release tension, or initiate relaxation. The covers can even be personalized for the members of your family, so that each person has their own. An essential oil hot or cold compress pack also makes a great spa-themed gift idea too.
How to Create a DIY Essential Oil Hot or Cold Compress Pack
What You’ll Need:
* Fabric: Unless you happen to have a pouch at home and handy, you will need two pieces of fabric. I found a cute patterned pouch that I could use if needed.
Be sure to use a tightly woven fabric. You can purchase your pieces at the store, or even (like I did here) use an old cotton shirt or towel. Note that if the fabric used for your inner pouch is thick, you may not feel the need to add another layer. You will need a 9 1/2″ x 13″ piece of fabric for the outside and an 11″ x 13.5″ piece of fabric for the lining.
* Fabric Scissors
* A Needle & Thread, Sturdy Fabric Tape or A Strip of Velcro
* 20 oz. of Small Glass Marbles: These can often be found at your local dollar store, craft store, or ordered online very inexpensively. The oval flat marbles are just as good, or may even be preferred to, the round ones. If you are making this in a bind and don’t have marbles handy, you can use 20 oz. of organic whole flax seeds, which can be found at most grocery stores. Flax retains its consistency at different temperatures, unlike beans, which will soften when warmed.
* Preferred Essential Oils: The other night I used a combination of Peppermint essential oil and Stress Away™ in my hot pack. Peppermint invigorates the mind and senses, inspiring a sense of peace. Stress Away™ essential oil was created to combat normal stresses, helping to induce relaxation and restore emotional equilibrium.
There are many other options to add to your DIY essential oil hot or cold pack too. Eucalyptus essential oil may support the respiratory system and soothe muscles after exercise. Thieves is terrific when you are in need of extra immune support. M-Grain™ is calming, particularly in the head and neck areas when applied topically. Orange essential oil can create a sense of peace, harmony, and creativity. German chamomile essential oil has been used to support the body’s natural response to irritation and injury. Roman chamomile is relaxing and calming for both mind and body, especially for restless children. Roman chamomile is also beneficial for helping to relieve muscle discomfort after exercise. Peace & Calming® is a popular option for creating a relaxing environment, especially for homes with children. And of course, Lavender essential oil is popular for promoting balance and relaxation. Use whichever essential oils will help you to gain the desired result.
Instructions:
Inner pouch: If you already have something at home that can be used for the inside of your essential oil hot or cold pack, you can skip this step.
* To make the inside, first cut your fabric for the inside into a 9 1/2″ x 13″ rectangle.
* Fold the fabric in half. If your fabric is not the same on both sides, you will want to fold the fabric so that the unfinished side is facing out towards you.
* Stitch along the bottom and side of the fabric together, using about 1/4″ seam, depending on the thickness of your fabric. The top should remain open and unsewn.
* Turn the pouch right side out.
* Fill the pouch about 2/3 of the way full with the marbles. Make sure that when the pouch is flat, there is enough room for the marbles to lie flat too.
* Add up to 5 drops of your favorite of essential oil(s).
* At this point you have two options. You can now stitch along the top of the pouch to seal it off completely, or you can attach a Velcro closing at the top. I prefer the latter option, so that the marbles can be taken out an replaced if needed. This also allows you to take the marbles out and wash the fabric as needed too.
* Set the pouch aside.
Outer pouch: If the fabric used for your inner pouch is thick, you may not feel the need to add another layer. In that case, there is no need to create an outer pouch.
* Cut the fabric you chose for the outside cover about 1 ½” to 2” larger than the inner pouch, such as an 11″ x 13.5″ rectangle.
* Follow the same directions as you did to make the inner pouch.
How to Use:
To use warm, heat the pack in microwave for 30–60 seconds or until warm. To use cool, place it in a refrigerator or freezer until cool.
Treat yourself with this easy DIY essential oil hot or cold compress pack and you too can jump life’s hurdles!
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