Who ever has time for a long, luxurious bath in the middle of the work week? When Mama Nature grants you plenty free time in the form of a snow day, seize the chance to run a steamy-hot bath that will soak your stress away. By adding a few drops of essential oils to the tub, you can enhance your bath’s health benefits and even wash away some everyday ailments. Sweet orange, grapefruit, and geranium oils, for instance, are all said to banish winter blues, while lemon and rosewood oils can give you an energy lift when the winter’s left you feeling fatigued and draggy.

But don’t just go shaking your aromatherapy oils straight into the tub: You need to mix each with a carrier oil (like olive, jojoba, or almond oil) in order to effectively dilute it. Care2.com suggests blending 15 to 30 drops of essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice - here’s how to combine the oils properly:

“Fill small-mouth jar with carrier oil, leaving 1/8 inch of space at the top. Add the essential oils drop by drop, cap the jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well. Use 1-2 teaspoons of oil per bath.”

One of the most bath-appropriate essential oils, lavender has calming, restorative, and antidepressant properties. Ideal for when you want to sleep more soundly, the elegantly scented oil has become a favorite for Nicole. “I regularly put it in baths for some extra soothing effect,” she says. “It also works wonders on a jumpy nervous system.” And you don’t need to hop in the tub in order to tap into those soothing effects: “If you can’t sleep (or your kid can’t) put some lavendar oil on the bottom of the feet and before you know it you (or they) will be knocked right out in a delicious sleep,” Nicole adds. “It’s also great to dab on our hand and take a few deep inhales when under stress.”

One of the most common wintertime health troubles, coughs and colds can be dispelled with a few drops of ginger oil from Aura Cacia. Like the ginger found in products such as kimberlycharles’ beloved Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger tea, the herb’s essential oil form acts as an antiviral and boosts your health by stimulating circulation.

Kara loves to get her chamomile from Mighty Leaf’s Herb & Fruited Chamomile Citrus tea, but using essential oil of chamomile in the bath may alleviate muscle aches and help relieve PMS symptoms. Try a product like Simplers Roman Chamomile Essential Oil, made with organic botanicals.

And essential oils aren’t the only natural remedies that can turn your tub into your own private healing center. Oatmeal’s often recommended by dermatologists for relief of cold-season skin problems, so seek out soothing treats like the Oatmeal Milk and Honey Milk Bath selected by LittleMissPrissAndCo. Discovered on Etsy, the blend features milk powder, buttermilk, and ground oats to nourish troubled skin and help lift away tension all over.