If you haven’t noticed, the price of just about everything has increased over the last year. Whether you are cutting back on extra expenditures or working extra hours to make ends meet, the need for self-care is more important than ever. One of the ways to carve out a little time for yourself during the week is by turning your bathroom into a Home Spa. Here are a few inexpensive ways to do just that.
Plan Ahead
There are a few things that you can do ahead of time to ensure an authentic spa experience at home. First, choose a set time and make a reservation with yourself, just like you would if you were going to a Spa. If you share a home with other people, let them know a day in advance that you and the bathroom will not be available AT ALL during your designated Spa time. It may feel weird to reserve space for yourself, but only because you are at home. And remember, you are worth it!
Typically, a Spa staff works tirelessly ahead of your arrival to ensure you have an incredible experience. However, with a Home Spa, you ARE the staff! Nothing kills the Spa vibe like a dirty, cluttered bathroom. The day before your reservation, remove all unnecessary items, deep clean the bathtub, and make sure you have all the supplies you need for the Spa experience.
Set the Mood
Next, set your intentions for your Spa experience. Do you need to relax and unwind, or do you need to feel energized and motivated? Do you need to soften and moisturize dry skin, relax overworked muscles, detoxify, purify, and boost immune function? Setting your intentions will help you determine which essential oils and herbs to use, your music choice, and how to prepare your bath. I’ll give you a few suggestions for this after we finish setting the mood.
Change into a 100% organic cotton, eco-friendly robe. Cotton robes are breathable, absorbent, and better for the environment allowing for a guilt-free Spa experience. Make a cup of your favorite herbal tea or smoothie, silence notifications on your phone, play your favorite playlist on low, and you are ready for the tub!
Nothing says Spa like the low flickering light of a few candles. A word of warning, though, is that candles can quickly pollute a small space when made with toxic ingredients. Choose candles that are free from paraffin wax, pigment, lead-core wicks, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. After all, the purpose of a Home Spa is to carve out a little time in your week to IMPROVE your health, not make it worse! Fortunately, so many great 100% soy, lead-free candles are available today. Tip: To save money, buy unscented tealight candles and add a drop of essential oil to the melted wax.
Tub Time
Since you are essentially the ‘Spa staff,’ make your life easier by placing herbs in a cotton, reuseable bag before adding them to the water (kind of like a teabag), making cleanup a breeze. After you add all the ingredients, gently stir the water with your arm before you enter. Here are some suggestions for a luxurious bathing experience.
Tonic Bath
To help stimulate the body and eliminate toxins. The bath temperature suggestion is 97 degrees. Tonic bathes are typically done in the morning on an empty stomach. Ingredient options include Epsom salt (1/4 cup), orange and lemon peels (1/4 cup each), ginger root (1 tablespoon size chunk), fresh pine needles, Rosemary, Parsley, or Sage leaf (1-2 Tablespoons), or any combination of these. Add ¼ cup of Simple Body’s Immune Boosting or Purify + Renew Massage oil for silky soft skin.
Relax & Stress Relief
To prepare the body for sleep. The bath temperature suggestion is 100 degrees. Relax & Stress Relief bathes are typically done on an empty stomach in the evening. Ingredient options include Epsom salt (1/4 cup), Lavender seeds, Chamomile flowers, Rose Petals (1-2 Tablespoons), old-fashioned oats (1/4 cup), or any combination of these. Add ¼ cup of Simple Body’s Stress Relief or Hydrating Rose Massage oil for silky soft skin.
Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the aroma of healing herbs and oils. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to receive the full benefits of a good soak. Take some time to reflect and be grateful for the things you love about your life.
When it is time to exit the tub, take it slowly, especially if you added massage oil to the water, as your tub will be slippery. Wrap yourself in your robe and apply nourishing body butter to your skin to lock in moisture. Always drink a little extra water after a hot bath to replace any lost fluids and to help flush toxins from the body. I hope you enjoyed our suggestions for a home spa experience. Schedule yours today!