During an especially stressful week or for any time you or your partner need something extra to help you relax and let go, try this simple, do-it-yourself body wrap.

It’s probably easier to have a partner help you get wrapped up, but I’ve done it myself and so can you. It can be done with any of your favorite aromatherapy oils, but lavender is a good choice for just about anyone.

To be safe, if you’re under a doctor’s care for any medical condition, ask your doctor for his or her blessing before using any aromatherapy products.

Supplies needed:

• An old sheet
• 2 blankets (big enough that you can wrap them around your body)
• 2 pillows
• 1 washcloth
• Small spray bottle
• 1 cup water
• 5 drops lavender essential oil (an aromatherapy oil you can find in the “beauty” section of most health food stores)

Pick a spot where you can lay down comfortably on your back (on the floor, a bed, a long sofa, etc.). Make sure you have your space prepared in a way that’s restful to you: turn the lights down, play soft music, light some candles, etc.

Lay one of the pillows down where your head will be, and put the other down so that it will lie under your knees (just give it a good guess). Next, layer the blankets and sheet down over the pillows as follows: blanket on the bottom, blanket in the middle, sheet on top.

The pillow where your head will be will probably not be covered by the blankets (since you won’t be wrapping up your head), but the pillow that will go under your knees will be.

Fold the washcloth in half and lay it down on the pillow that will go under your head so it’s within easy reach when you’re lying down.

Fill the spray bottle with a cup of water, and then add the five drops of lavender essential oil. Shake really well and begin to spray the lavender water mixture all over the sheet until it’s slightly damp. Also spray the washcloth a couple times just so you can smell the aroma on it.

Get completely undressed and lie down on the sheet so that the pillows line up under your head and knees. If you’re working with a platonic partner, of course you can keep your underwear on, but you’ll want to have as much skin exposed as possible. Wrap the sheet around your body like a burrito. It will be slightly cold at first, but you’ll quickly warm up beneath the blankets.

Then, your choice: you can choose to wrap either one or both of the blankets around the lavender-infused sheet to keep you toasty warm. Put the folded washcloth over your eyes to block out the light of the day, then lie back and relax in your cocoon, allowing the lavender aroma to soothe and heal your nerves and brighten your spirit. Stay wrapped up as long as you want.