Making Pillow Mists with Jodie

We took aromatherapy to the next level with care assistant Jodie, who taught a group of residents to make their own relaxing pillow mists using essential oils.

Helped by nurse Jackie Kellett, we mixed essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, vanilla and frankincense with a distilled water base, and poured them into a dinky spray bottle, which we then decorated with a pretty label. Jodie told us that the oils are great at improving sleep or helping relaxation and can be used in meditation or to mindfulness practices.

Muriel said, “I’m going to spray this on my pillow an hour before I go to sleep, and I’ll be relaxed all night.” Birgit decided she preferred the lavender to all the other oils and said, “it’s a very nice smell, and I must remember to keep the bottle in my room.” John chatted about his work as a chemist and as he was mixing the essential oils, told us how he used to combine different chemicals in a centrifuge in his laboratory. He told us jokingly “I’m going to give this to my wife, to make sure she smells nice!”

It was a fun and relaxing activity, especially as we all took the time to smell the different oils and to discuss how they might help day to day life. Everyone was very proud of their finished pillow mist and the kitchen team reported that the dining room smelled of lavender and chamomile for the rest of the afternoon.