There’s never been a more important time to ensure we are taking care of ourselves. With stress, uncertainty, and significant disruption to our daily routines, taking some time to check in with yourself and take a breath is paramount for both physical and mental health.
While we might be restricted in some of the usual activities we do to relax, there are a number of ways to practice self-care in the comfort of your own home. The HoMedics range from Harvey Norman has everything you need to unwind and promote good health and wellbeing. I was recently lucky enough to test out 3 of their fantastic products; the HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion with Heat, the HoMedics Supreme Foot and Calf Massager and the HoMedics Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser.
Read on to discover my favourite features and benefits of having these HoMedics wellbeing products in my own home.
Troubles melt away with HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion with Heat
Alright, full disclosure. My favourite thing about going to get my hair done is not walking out of the salon with bright, bouncy locks – it’s the massage chairs they sit you in to get your hair washed. If it were up to me, I’d never wash my hair myself again, and go twice a week just to sit in that chair and have all my troubles melt away.
You can imagine my excitement then, at the thought of having a HoMedics massager in my own home. The Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion helped me re-create one of my favourite experiences from the comfort of my very own couch, with a portable design that turns the chair of your choice into the ultimate relaxation station.
With 3 different back massage zones, as well as a soothing heat setting, the HoMedics Shiatsu Massage Cushion can work on your entire back, or isolate upper and lower, to target your preferred areas. You can choose between the gentle relaxation of a rolling massage, or a deeper, more focused massage with the kneading shiatsu setting.
For those wondering, Shiatsu is a traditional massage technique that uses fingers, thumbs and palms to apply pressure to the body’s surface to relieve pain, relax muscles and correct imbalances in the body. The word ‘shiatsu’ is an abbreviation of the Japanese word meaning ‘finger pressure treatment’. This was definitely my favourite setting to use, as it gently worked tense muscles in my back and helped me to completely unwind.
With an easy-to-use control panel, you can also adjust the height and width of the massage rollers to suit your preference, and let me tell you, once I was set up, I was not moving. Regular back massage is incredibly beneficial; to not only relieve stress but release tension in your muscles and to improve posture. I found that after a long day sitting down at work, the HoMedics back massager helped release my muscles and loosen my shoulders significantly.
Overall I am a huge fan of the HoMedics Shiatsu Massage Cushion, and particularly liked the convenience of being able to move it around the house easily.
Foot rub anyone? Testing the HoMedics Supreme Foot and Calf Massager
If the HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion wasn’t heaven enough, coupling it with the HoMedics Supreme Foot and Calf Massager took my relaxation to another level.
How many times have you begged your partner for a foot rub after a long day? And – be honest – how many times have they ever agreed? Not as many as you would like I’ll bet. With this HoMedics foot massager, you’ll never need to bother them again. It’s the perfect way to soothe sore muscles and relive tension in not just your feet, but right up your calves as well.
Calf and foot massage are important for improving circulation of both the blood and the lymphatic system. It also helps with posture alignment, reducing pain and increasing your range of motion. The HoMedics foot and calf massager lets you work both zones either separately or simultaneously, and you can choose between 3 massage options (compression, kneading and vibration) as well as 2 intensity levels. It also comes with a convenient 15-minute automatic shut-off so you can easily enjoy the recommended amount of massage time.
Unlimited access to free foot rubs meant that there was high demand at home for the HoMedics foot and calf massager. Everyone from my boyfriend to my grandmother was obsessed, and all agreed that it was one of the best additions to the living room. Pairing the HoMedics Supreme Foot and Calf Massager with the Massage Cushion created the ultimate set up for complete relaxation, and was the perfect way to take a moment and unwind at home.
Transforming your bedroom into a spa; Why you need to try the HoMedics Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser
Despite the undisputed indulgence and incredible benefits of the Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion and Supreme Foot and Calf Massager, I’ve saved my favourite product from the HoMedics range til last – the Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser. This diffuser uses water vapour with essential oils to gently emanate a scented mist, transforming any room into your very own oasis.
Although a long-time fan of essential oils for beauty and wellbeing, I’ve never owned a diffuser and was excited to give the HoMedics Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser a try. I was blown away from the very first use!
The Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser is remote control operated and features a relaxing colour-changing light, as well as a selection of ambient music tracks to create a relaxed atmosphere. Filled with the recommended 160ml of water it can run for up to 10 hours straight, or up to 20 hours on the intermittent setting. The diffuser itself emits a very gentle bubbling noise which I found incredibly relaxing, especially when going to sleep, recreating the experience of drifting off to the sound of soft rain.
A selection of essential oils are available separately from HoMedics for use with the diffuser. I tried the HoMedics Ellia Triple Pack Essential Oil featuring Be Centered, Open Up and Let Go. All scents had their own unique benefits in promoting wellbeing, and my favourite for throughout the day was ‘Be Centered’. It has a woody, citrusy smell featuring cedar wood and orange, which is great for lifting your mood and de-stressing. I also enjoyed ‘Open Up’ with lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary which helps relieve fatigue and promote respiratory health by opening up your airways.
My favourite to fall asleep to was ‘Let Go’, with a mix of lavender and peppermint to soothe and de-stress the mind.
I now use the Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser most days and nights. In my opinion it’s one of the best essential oil diffusers on the market in Australia.
Wellbeing with HoMedics; the perfect way to de-stress
Giving yourself permission to take a pause and relax is one of the best things you can do to look after your health. From my experience using the HoMedics range, I can definitely recommend the Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion, the Supreme Foot and Calf Massager and Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser for relieving stress and tension effectively in the comfort of your home.
Where to buy HoMedics Massagers and Diffuser
If you’d like to give these great HoMedics products a try in your own home, they are available now from Harvey Norman. You can shop the HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion with Heat, the HoMedics Supreme Foot and Calf Massager and the HoMedics Ellia Gather Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser online, or at your Harvey Norman store where our friendly, expert staff can help you with any questions.