Spa days are often the first thing people think about when self care is discussed or when they think about pampering themselves. Spas provide patrons with services intended to improve your health and beauty. They additionally help with relaxation. Overall, spa treatments help you reduce stress and improve your well-being. Unfortunately, spa treatments can be costly. And furthermore, they can also be difficult for people who are not comfortable being with strangers. By creating your own personal spa session at home, you can get the benefits of the spa experience in the comfort of your own home, at a fraction of the cost.
Benefits Of A Spa Experience
Spas are a big part of the wellness industry. The focus is usually on pampering the client through various treatments that improve their well-being. From massages to skin exfoliation, the spa caters to various needs. Some people rely on spa days for their self care, but it is limited in access and the effects are often short-lived.
A good massage can ease the tension in your muscles and trigger a release of those feel-good hormones. Other body treatments can include the sauna, a steam room, a whirlpool, a mud bath, or more. Some spas provide beauty treatments which can include facials, body scrubs, waxing, manicures and pedicures.
Spas often use aromatherapy as part of their treatments, they are quiet, and have subdued lighting. This creates a relaxed atmosphere that caters to all of your senses. The staff tend to speak in a soft, slow voice which reinforces the concept of slowing down. Hydration is encouraged before and after treatments. This is to flush toxins out of your body. Some spas even go as far as providing nutrient rich snacks for you to consume in between treatments.
Why are spas popular? Well, they make you feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and grounded. A spa day can act as a reset. I know I’ve felt like a new person when I’ve been able to go to one. That is because it allows you time to slow down and recharge. Sometimes the only way to focus on yourself is by going to the spa. But that luxury isn’t available to all. So how can you reap the benefits?
How To Bring The Spa Home
Spas work as self care because they turn the focus onto yourself. It is about putting yourself first even for just a couple of hours. And that is the key. Blocking time to focus on yourself and slow down to recharge. By creating the spa experience at home, you can pamper yourself to reduce stress and improve your well-being.
Step 1. Plan your spa day
Figure out when you can give yourself a spa day and block it off in your calendar. Commit to doing it. It will take some preparation and scheduling. If you have a family, see if you can arrange to have the time alone at home to maximize your experience. If the kids or the dog are banging on the bathroom door, odds are you won’t reach your goals. Make a list of what you will do and what you need to buy.
Step 2. Prepare for your needs
In order to maximize your spa experience, make sure to prepare what you can in advance. Pick up any supplies you will use. These should be identified in the planning phase based on what you are going to do. At home, clean your clothes, towels, and sheets in the days leading up to your spa day. Prepare snacks and drinks the day prior. Create a playlist that will induce relaxation. Review your plan and make arrangements so that you can have the space to yourself. If you live alone, make sure your friends and family know you will be temporarily unavailable so you can focus on your self care.
Step 3. Spa day
On the day of your spa experience, try not to get stressed leading up to your time block. Make sure that the activities you need to do afterwards are also stress-free so as to maximize your spa time. Bringing the spa experience home doesn’t have to compromise on what you do. Focus on the things that will recharge you. Whether it’s having time to put an eye mask on, running a bubble bath, letting the steam open up your pores, or doing your own mani-pedi, pick the things that feel good for you. Consider the space you will use and ensure it is clutter-free and distraction free to create calm.
Listen To Your Mind & Body
Maximize your home spa by considering all your senses. The goal is to not only quiet your mind, but also to release the stress your body is carrying from the days prior. Creating your own spa experience is an exercise in mindfulness. You carve out time to focus with intention on your mind and body.
Set the mood
Use candles to soften the lighting and instantly relax you. Your playlist should be soft music, you’re not trying to push through a hard workout so be selective on what you choose. Don’t forget about your sense of smell. Use essential oils in the shower, bathtub, or with a diffuser. Your olfactory system can trigger calming sensations to your overstimulated system. Be cautious not to mix too many scents which can lead to confusion. Also be aware of any sensitivities. This is why advance preparation helps. Smelling the oils also helps to remind you about your breathing. Take deep breaths to induce relaxation.
Connect with your body
Consider how you will pamper your skin. This will speak to your sense of touch, cozy and luxurious come to mind. Do you like exfoliating scrubs? They remove rough skin and leave your skin feeling soft to the touch. You can start with your face, and once you are comfortable, look at body scrubs. You can even make your own to control what ingredients you expose yourself to.
Remember to moisturize well. Not only your skin, that can go for your hair as well. A hair masque provides penetrating moisture for hair that undergoes lots of stress from chemicals and heat. And don’t forget your hands and feet. They help us do so much and we often forget that they also need some love. Once you are done, clean towels and a cozy robe with slippers, help you transition to the rest of your day. Wrap up your spa day by having clean sheets in your bed. I know it always makes me feel good and helps me get a better night’s sleep, even if my spa experience was earlier in the day.
Nurture from the inside out
And finally, make nutrition a part of the experience. Healthy snacks can provide vital antioxidants and improve your immune function. Healthy foods also support your brain health making it easier to think and recharge. More importantly is hydration. Drink plenty of water before and after your spa experience, it is critical to function well. Limit how much caffeine you have on that day, and drink other fluids that make you feel good. Healthy fruit juices or infused water are popular options. Mocktails can also make the occasion feel special. I don’t recommend having alcohol in your spa experience as this is intended to cleanse and rejuvenate you.
Pamper yourself, you deserve it!
The spa experience isn’t for everyone, especially if you are not comfortable having other people touch you or you suffer from social anxiety. Cost is also another deterrent to splurging on a spa. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still experience the spa. Create your own spa routine at home by understanding what feels good to you. Plan and prepare in advance so as to cater to all your senses. Try it out once and see if it’s your cup of tea. At the very least, it helps you carve out a little time for yourself and focus on self care principles within a different framework. This mindfulness exercise helps you to feel relaxed and recharged. As a bonus, it’ll help you get better sleep that night too!
IMAGE CREDIT: Pexels | Cottonbro Studio.