For the last month, I’ve felt less “owner” and more “owned” in terms of our business. The transition after Chad’s departure has been more challenging than I expected; especially since we were sans-delivery-driver for the first two weeks, and down a designer in the days leading up to the holiday weekend. Managing the shop as a one-woman show has been all kinds of exhausting!

I’m about to let you in on my numero uno stress-busting, body-ache-relieving, sanity-restoring secret…

You ready?

Epsom salt baths.

Go to the drugstore, and throw down six bucks on a giant bag of Epsom salt. Then go home and run a hot bath. Toss in a few cups of Epsom salt, a generous squirt of natural lavender body oil, and a bath pillow. Grab yourself a good book or magazine, sink your tired bones into the tub, and soak in the steamy heat for as long as you can stand it (at least 15 minutes). The Epsom salt soothes tight achy muscles and gives a magnesium boost, while the lavender calms your senses and eases anxiety as you sweat out lots of yucky toxins.

I also love to scrub down with a good organic sugar scrub while I’m in there, for soft skin and a super close shave that lasts for days. Afterwards, I moisturize with 80 Acres Olive Oil Body Balm, brew a cup of chamomile tea, and sleep like a worry-free baby.

We keep Epsom salt stockpiled at Chez Lennox. I’ve converted all my friends to believers, and they swear by it for sore muscles and sports injuries (a subject I know nothing about).

Hope your Labor Day is relaxing!

Note: Despite the benefits, Epsom salt baths aren’t suitable for everyone. They generally aren’t recommended for people who have conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure or diabetes. If you aren’t sure whether an Epsom salt bath is safe for you, please consult your physician.