How to have a spa day from the comfort of your home
Is anyone else craving a spa day to relax, take a break and let the stress just ease away? At the moment, due to lockdown, we aren’t able to head to our favourite spa haven. Luckily there are lots of things we can do to recreate the experience for ourselves from the comfort of our own home.
Spending time pampering yourself is an amazing way to unwind after a stressful week, relieve any aches and pains, calm the mind and increase happiness. The fact that we have lots of time at home means that we have the ability to achieve a pampered, peaceful escape!
Here are just a few things you can do to recreate that wonderful spa experience…
Setting the mood
To create an all-embracing spa experience, we must incorporate all of our senses to plunge into deep relaxation.
Sight
Prep by cleaning and clearing a space of clutter and distractions. This should help calm your mind as you won’t have to worry about any mess. Then, create soft lighting by putting on lamps (especially a salt lamp if you’ve got one!), lighting some candles and putting up some fairy lights.
Sound
There are so many calming, accessible playlists on Youtube, Spotify and Soundcloud that can instantly lift you up and carry you to serenity. Find your favourite one by having a browse, then let the good vibrations wiggle through your ears and seep through the rest of your body. If you are surrounded by busyness or noise, consider plugging in your earphones and tuning out the the background commotion. Ambient or classical sounds can be used even when you are taking a shower in the morning to really set you up for a peaceful day.
Smell
Aromatherapy is not only a treat for your nose, but for your whole body, mind and spirit too! It is said to reduce stress, anxiety and agitation, treat headaches and migraines, improve digestion and improve sleep quality, so it is a wonderful tool to send you straight into a tranquil atmosphere. Scented candles, incense, essential oils, sage and smudge sticks, all work beautifully to establish a spa-like aroma.
You can find all of your aromatherapy incense, candles, sage, and smudge sticks, healing crystals, bath salts and much much more online at:
The Physic Tree:
Taste
Drinking herbal teas is a great relaxation technique and has numerous health benefits. Having one with you throughout your day can keep you hydrated, positively affect your mood and act as a remedy to sooth bodily functions.
Keep a jug of water in the fridge infused with cucumber, lemon, mint or any other fresh fruit and herbs you think will taste well together! This gives the water a really refreshing taste and adds some extra nutrients depending on what you decide to infuse. Your inner body is going to thank you so much for treating it so well!
If you’re fancying something with a bit more of a kick, why not open that bottle of wine and let the bubbles circulate around your body and burst with positive energy.
Eat well today! Cut up some fresh fruit and put in it in a bowl to snack on. Have a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner and then indulge in some tasty treats in between!
Touch
Put on something that you can be comfortable in all day long. If you really want to get in the spa spirit, wear your swim suit and a bath robe with a pair of comfy slippers or flip flops. If not, just get as comfy as you can!
If you have any crystals, hold them and set an intention for your day based on their healing properties. You can learn more about crystals here:
When you are in your bathroom, turn off the fan and shut the windows to create a steam room to really recreate that spa room affect. Feel the humidity of the room and notice how cleansing it feels. Steam opens up pores, helps to loosen the buildup of dirt at the same time as improving circulation by dilating the blood vessels. When you leave the room notice the difference in the air. Is it cool and breezy? Hot and dry? Or something in between?
Treatments
Once you’ve set the mood you can get started on some pampering treatments!
Run a bath
Things to do in the bath
• Listen to a guided meditation to cleanse your mind and body.
• Write out your thoughts- your hopes, dreams, ideas and anxieties.
• Read a book or magazine- keep it a nice ‘n easy read!
• Watch a movie or TV programme on your laptop, tablet or phone.
• Have a glass of wine or a mug of tea or hot chocolate.
• Do some colouring.
• Just be with your thoughts and let them wonder.
• Listen to music or browse for some new music.
• Apply a face mask.
• Apply a leave in hair conditioner.
Face Masks
Face masks are so much fun and can be added to a regular skincare regime for a lasting affect. It is important to recognise what skin type you have and what your desired outcome is. For example if you have dry skin, a hydrating mask will give your skin a much needed moisture boost. If you have oily skin, a purifying mask will work wonders for you!
Skin Types:
- Normal skin is well balanced: neither too oily nor too dry.
- Dry skin can feel tight and rough and look dull.
- Oily skin has a glossy shine and visible pores.
- Combination skin consists of a mix of skin types.
You can either purchase a wide range of easy face masks at beauty stores such as Superdrug (who are against animal testing, affordable and have many vegan products!), or you can make your own at home using the contents of your cupboards!
Make it yourself…
Flaxseed Face Mask – Tightens and Tones Skin
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
• 3 tablespoons water
1. Pour water into a glass container
2. Add the ground flax seeds and stir for a few seconds. Let them soak for 15 minutes.
3. After 15 minutes, the mixture will attain a slimy consistency (similar to egg white). At this point, stir it once again.
4. Use a cosmetic brush to spread the mask all over your face, except for the delicate area around your eyes.
5. Let it dry completely. Wash it with warm water followed by cold water.
6. Follow up with a light moisturiser.
Cucumber Face Mask- Refreshes Skin
• ½ cucumber (grated)
• ½ lemon
• 2-3 mint leaves
1. Take the grated cucumber in a glass bowl.
2. Crush the mint leaves and add to the cucumber.
3. Squeeze the juice from the halved lemon into the mint-cucumber mix.
4. Combine all the ingredients well.
5. Use a cosmetic brush to apply this cooling mixture on your face. Let it stay for at least 20 minutes.
6. Once it is dry, clean your face with cold water.
Banana And Turmeric Face Mask- For Dry and Dull Skin
• 2 tablespoons banana (ripe and mashed)
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1. Mix the mashed banana and turmeric in a glass bowl.
2. Add the bicarbonate of soda and combine.
3. Apply the mask over your face.
4. Let the face mask dry.
5. Wash with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry.
Leave-in hair conditioner
Leave in conditioner has many benefits and uses e.g. helps to combat frizz, add a sheen to your hair, protect hair against environmental damage and moisturises dry hair. As well as this, it can be a fun and creative activity to make your own mask then sit back and relax whilst it seeps through your hair and works its magic.
You can purchase leave-in hair conditioner at a beauty store or make your own! Here’s a few examples…
Anti-dandruff conditioner for soft, shiny and detangled hair
• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 240ml of water
• A few drops of your favourite essential oil (optional)
1. Mix all of the ingredients together
2. Massage into your hair and scalp, and then rinse.
Deep conditioner for smooth hair
• 1 avocado
• 240 ml of coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1. Peel, pit, and mash your avocado.
2. Add the coconut milk and coconut oil and mix until smooth.
3. Work this conditioner through your hair and let it hang out for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rinse and then shampoo.
Conditioner for soft, glossy and manageable hair
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of agave
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1. Mix all of your ingredients together
2. Massage your conditioner into your hair and scalp.
3. Leave for 20 minutes before rinsing and shampooing.
This yummy smelling treatment will leave your hair soft, manageable and fling-worthy.
Foot spa
You don’t need to own a fancy foot spa with bubbles and a massage machine to treat your feet with the care they deserve (although if you’re lucky enough to have one then by all means use it!) Soaking your feet in a bowl of warm water with epsom salts or bubble bath with be just as effective! Soaking your feet once a week for 30-60 minutes can soothe your muscles, hydrate your skin, relieve aches and pains as well as preventing bacteria from forming. If you have dry feet, be sure to use a moisturising bubble bath or less epsom salts.
Foot soak
• basen
• warm water
• epsom salts or bubble bath
• towel
• pumice stone/exfoliation cream
• moisturiser
1. Soak feet for 30-60 minutes in warm, (not hot!) water.
2. Once you have soaked your feet, pat them dry with a towel.
3. Exfoliate your feet with a pumice stone or feet exfoliation cream whilst the skin is soft.
4. Moisturise your feet.
5. Paint and/or trim your toenails.
6. Put on some soft cotton socks.
Massage
If you have a loved one who is able and willing to give you a massage, you’re in for a treat! Find some oil from your cupboard- coconut, olive or sunflower each work well. Alternatively you can buy massage oil from your local beauty store or use a body moisturiser. Be sure to have some candles lit and some relaxing music playing!
You can also give yourself a massage whilst applying moisturiser to your hands, neck, shoulders and anywhere else you think needs some love and attention. When you apply the moisturiser, rub it into the skin using a circular motion and apply more pressure than usual.
if you still feel as though your body needs some soothing, why not try some simple stretches that will ease the tension?
Be mindful of the senses
When you trigger the five senses, really notice the sensation of each sense. When you are carrying out an activity or relaxing, bring your awareness to sights, sounds, smells, tastes and physical feelings. Focussing on them will bring your being into the present moment and allow the thoughts in your mind to simply drift away like clouds in the sky.
Sight
Notice the colours, objects and textures of all the things around you. Understand the space around you and see your body take up space in the room.
Sound
Listen to the all sounds you hear and let them fill you up. The music playing, the sound of water flowing from a tap, and the sounds created when you touch or move something. Listen to how they make you feel without labelling that feeling with a word, and simply appreciate the sounds.
Smell
Bring your awareness to all the different smells in the air. Your shampoo and scented candles, the scent from your tea and the fresh air coming through your window. Really pay attention to each scent and simply acknowledge it.
Taste
Pay attention to your taste buds as you consume something. Notice the flavour of your food and drinks, are they sweet, savoury, sour or bland? How does this make you feel?
Touch
Tune into the physical sensations happening to your body. Scan your body from head to toe and release all the tension you are holding in your eyebrows, jaw, shoulders and any other places that are tight.
When you are applying moisturisers, body scrubs or anything that you apply to the skin, really notice how it feels as you rub it onto your body.
Notice your posture as you sit and stand- are your your shoulders hunched over or is your spine straight? Keeping a straight spine can work wonders for your body as well as your confidence, so it can be a good habit to check in regularly on how you are standing.
Feel the sensations in your body parts that are touching other things, such as your feet touching the ground as you walk or your hands as they open a bath bomb package.
