Treat Yourself: At Home Spa Day

Studies have shown that relaxation plays an integral role in our physical and mental well-being. What can you do this weekend to single-handedly manage your stress and improve your circulation, blood flow, confidence, and skin, plus get better sleep? Use this Bathroom Bliss guide and treat yourself to an at home spa day!
First, atmosphere is key. Set the mood by lighting candles, like the photos above from the Coyle Hospitality Group and below from Bergen Spa Services. Playing ambient music will make it a special occasion; Pandora and iTunes Radio have ambient and yoga stations. Aromatherapy, the use of scents to influence your mood, is another way to create a relaxing environment. Lavender oil, pictured below from Talk Spas, is known for its refreshing and relaxing properties.


Wash away your stress by cleansing from head to toe. After, give yourself a confidence boost by applying a deep conditioning treatment to your hair to make it shiny and silky-smooth. Treat yourself to a special purchase from the beauty store or go au natural with coconut oil (pictured below from Food Matters), mashed up avocado, egg yolks, or 100% pure olive oil to moisturize and shine your locks. Wrap your hair in a towel and leave the treatment in for 20 minutes to one hour to get the most out of treatment.


Steam can reduce tension and loosen up your body. Try creating a steam room by closing the bathroom door and running the shower on its hottest setting for several minutes. For an impromptu facial, boil a kettle of water, poor it into a bowl, and drape a towel over both your head and the bowl to direct the steam to your face for several minutes. The inspiring photo below is featured from Taksim Spa.


After your steam, it's time to exfoliate. Use small circular motions with a loofah or body scrub, like this raw honey and lavendar scrub from Bodhi Basics, below, to make your skin look fresh. Cleanse again.


Next pour yourself a chilled glass of white wine or sparkling water with lemon slices and enjoy a luxurious soak in the bathtub! Add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or rose water, bubble bath, or buttermilk. Grab a good book or magazine and just relax. Now is a great time to put cold cucumbers on your eyes for several minutes. Don't the photos below from Michelle Ebbin and New Latina make you want to climb into that warm bathwater? As soon as you are done soaking, apply a great moisturizer to your skin.