There are tons of ways to nourish yourself, but when we think of the ultimate relaxation, the first thing that comes to mind is often a spa day!
Fun fact: the word “spa” is actually an abbreviation for an ancient Latin phrase. From the Latin ‘Sanitas pro Aqua’ (‘Health through Water’), the abbreviation “spa” has become an internationally recognized word synonymous with rejuvenation and indulgence.
Modern spas offer dozens of treatments and cosmetic procedures for any taste and need, while their general purpose remains the same: to provide a space where you can banish everyday worries, calm your mind and tune in to what your body and mind really need.
If a spa day seems unattainable due to time conflicts or financial reasons, we totally get it — plus, we have some great news for you. An enjoyable and equally fabulous spa day can be organized right at home, and (wait a minute!) you can benefit even more from it! Your home – your rules! No one knows what you need for total relaxation and revitalizing rest better than you do.
Are you ready to create your own personal paradise? Then keep on reading for a step-by-step guide on how to organize a perfect at-home spa ritual.
Step 1. Preparations
Plan the date and time for your at-home spa session and book it in your calendar! Setting aside 1.5-2 hours will be enough to accomplish the entire program.
During the day, eat light meals and skip alcohol and most caffeine to ensure you feel your best and most relaxed. Drink plenty of water, and try to eat your last meal at least two hours before starting your at-home treatments.
Prepare all cosmetic products you are going to use and put them all in one place for convenience. You can go either with ready-to-use cosmetics or natural ingredients.
Grab a fluffy towel and your favorite bathrobe and slippers.
Set the mood! Play relaxing music, take your time, and put your phone on airplane mode.
Step 2. Creating the atmosphere
A professional spa experience is multi-sensory – it’s about sight, sound, scent, and the power of touch. Your main goal here is to create a relaxing, soothing, and comfortable atmosphere that will resonate with your body and mind in your own home.
Dim your bathroom lighting and light candles (we recommend natural, unscented ones).
Turn on quiet music or sounds of nature.
Add some drops of essential oil to your bath for an olfactory experience. Some of the most popular oils for relaxation are cypress, lavender, jasmine, rose, cedar, vanilla, honey, and mandarin. You can also add some rose petals, or some slices of orange, lime or lemon for both aesthetics and their scent.
Step 3. Cleansing
It’s important to cleanse your skin first to prevent irritation during scrubbing. Plus, it will help the skin to better absorb additional products. Take a shower before starting your spa treatments!
Step 4. Scrub
Start with a face peel and body scrub. These treatments will remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, activate blood circulation, and boost lymph flow to improve skin tone. Scrubs should be done as gently as possible so as not to injure skin.
Body scrubs that normally suit everyone are salt- or sugar-based scrubs with added coffee, coconut flakes, or essential oils. Salt draws out excess water and toxins from the subcutaneous tissue which may help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Our hands need a specific attention. To keep them soft even during the cold months, mix sugar with grapeseed oil, lightly massage the mixture into your skin, and then rinse it off with warm water.
For a gentle face peel, try a natural mask and scrub made of honey and oatmeal. You can use this on your lips, too!
Step 5. Bath
Choose your bath salt based on the desired effect. Epsom salt is relaxing and can soothe sore muscles, while Himalayan pink salt nourishes the skin with various minerals. Dead Sea salt heals the skin, helps to get rid of rashes and irritations.
The ideal bath time is 15-20 minutes, and keep the water warm and cozy, but not too hot. Steaming for too long can lead to lethargy, and if the water is too hot, it will make it more difficult for your skin to absorb the minerals in the salt.
Step 6. Massage
After taking a bath, try a relaxing and nourishing self-massage. Take coconut oil and use a massage brush or your hands to massage it over your body. Perform each movement smoothly and along the lymphatic pathways.
Step 7. Body wrap
A body wrap is a classic spa treatment that works to remove toxins and excess water, and ensures the penetration of important minerals and vitamins into the tissues. Think you can’t do it at home? You totally can!
Try a honey wrap (mix of liquid honey and egg yolks with a few drops of orange essential oil), or a delicious mix of cocoa powder and warm water. Spread the mixture onto your legs, arms, and abdomen. You can even wrap those areas in plastic wrap to lock in warmth! The mixtures can stay on for up to 40 minutes. Carefully rinse off in the shower, and be very cautious if the floor gets slippery! Rinsing off with cool water in what’s called a contrast shower is a great way to tone the skin.
For your feet, try coconut oil; it perfectly moisturizes rough skin. Apply the oil to the skin with massage movements from heels to toes, and put on plastic shoe covers or socks for 20 minutes. Be very careful when you rinse this off! Put some socks with grips or slippers on afterwards to ensure you aren’t sliding around and putting yourself at risk of falling.
Step 8. Face & hair mask
While you’re doing the body wrap, you can also take care of your face and hair. A clay face mask will help to even out the tone of your skin, or a DIY banana and honey mask is a fun (and edible) option. There’s also a wide choice of easy-to-use fabric sheet masks for each skin type.
To strengthen your hair, apply coconut oil all over your hair and cover your head with a turban towel. Shampoo, condition, and rinse extremely well when you get in the shower!
Step 9. Body lotion
Apply moisturizing, toning, anti-cellulite, or nourishing lotion or cream – your choice! – evenly over your entire body.
Step 10. Rest
The final chord of any spa ritual should be a warming or refreshing drink. Have a cup of herbal tea to restore water and salt balance in your body. Water with lemon or other fruits or herbs is also great for re-hydrating. If you feel hungry, go for light snacks and fruits. Take a well-deserved rest! Instead of dashing back into the madness of your day, enjoy watching your favorite movie or reading a book instead.
Include this reviving at-home spa ritual in your weekly or monthly schedule and see how you feel! We bet you will feel healthier, happier, and last but not least – more relaxed for sure!
Safety tips! Be sure to note that natural remedies can also cause allergies, so test them on a small area of skin before using. Baths should be taken with caution in case of hypertension, varicose veins, and certain cancers. If you are pregnant or have a chronic medical disease, make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any at-home treatments.
Go to dailyburn.com for more relaxing practices.
All images via Shutterstock