DIY Home Spa: Create Health and Relaxation at Home
Feeling stressed? Us too. Maybe you’re thinking of getting a massage, facial, or mani/pedi, but… self-care can be expensive! A day at the spa can easily be a huge blow to your wallet. Why not create your own spa experience?
In this blog, we offer tips and steps for creating your own DIY home spa — from the products you might want to how to create the perfect ambiance. Before you know it, the stress will be melting away.
10 DIY Home Spa Essentials
Let’s start at the beginning. While your DIY home spa should be personalized for you, we’d like to offer a few suggestions for what you might want to include, to help you get started:
- Candles and essential oils for aromatherapy
- Face masks
- A comfortable robe and slippers
- Dry brush
- Face roller/gua sha tools
- Bath bombs, oils
- Epsom salt
- Eye mask
- Exfoliating body scrub
- Hydrating moisturizers, oils, balms, or butters
True, these items can elevate your home spa experience, but many of them also have proven health benefits. For example, Epsom salt might help reduce joint pain. Toss a handful into the bathwater to combat any aches. Aromatherapy can reduce stress. Lavender is a good go-to! Gua sha can improve lymphatic drainage and blood flow. Head to YouTube to learn different ways to use these tools.
This probably goes without saying, but aim for products that are naturally made without any harmful ingredients. For instance, avoid bath bombs made with synthetic dyes and fragrances, as these can be a bit harsh on the skin and body for some people. A quick Google search for “all-natural bath bombs” will introduce you to friendlier alternatives. You can even try to make your own!
The same goes for candles. Burning candles made of paraffin wax can release toxins into the air, even though they might smell nice. Opt for beeswax or soy candles instead. Similar to bath bombs, you can also make candles right at home. Your local craft store should have everything you need, like wicks, scents, wax beads, and jars.
How to Set Up Your At-Home Spa
You’ve gathered all of the must-haves, and now you’re ready to create the home spa of your dreams. Here’s some advice to guide you along the way.
Lighting Matters
If you want to relax, then some say that red light helps produce melatonin, a hormone that makes you sleepy. Lighting that is more orange or yellow is also conducive to a peaceful state of mind — perfect for your DIY spa night. Dimmable lights are even better.
Avoid any lighting coming from gadgets like phones or tablets. This is probably blue light, which can suppress melatonin production, waking you up and disrupting your spa night.
Remove Clutter and Tidy Up
We know that keeping the home clean can feel like a real pain, but there’s a good reason to set aside a few minutes every day for straightening up.
Did you know that being around clutter can cause stress and anxiety? Having an overabundance of things around you can be overstimulating and make life feel more chaotic. Plus, the more clutter you have lying around, the more dusty your home is going to be. Dust can trigger allergies and symptoms of respiratory issues.
Ahead of your at-home spa experience, consider cleaning off and wiping down the countertops. Use an air purifier to take care of the rest — not just dust but dust mites, animal fur/dander, hair, and anything else lurking in your home (like mold, smoke, or bacteria/viruses).
To achieve a truly serene ambiance, cleanliness is key. Eliminating the clutter around you is going to allow your mind to finally slow down and rest.
Choose Your Audio Wisely
Use music to your advantage! Audio that’s around 60 beats per minute can make the brain sync with the beat, guiding you into alpha brainwaves, which have a frequency of eight to 14 hertz. This is the state you need to be in for relaxation. Expose yourself to this for at least 45 minutes during your spa session, and you’ll turn into putty (in a great way).
If you live in an especially noisy area (like in an apartment that faces a busy city street), try white noise. This can muffle the background noise and might even train your brain to better understand that it’s time to settle down.
Stay Hydrated for Your Health
While it’s incredibly soothing, your DIY home spa can leave you dehydrated. The heat from your bath (which makes you sweat) and Epsom salts can both remove moisture from your body. Throw in a glass (or two) of wine, and the dehydration can be even more significant. This is because wine is a diuretic.
Replenishing is a must!
Keep a pitcher of filtered water handy and sip frequently. Purified water makes a big difference. Who knows what’s lurking in your tap water? Pesticides, metals, minerals, microplastics — the list goes on.
Want to make your water even more hydrating? You lose sodium chloride (salt) through your sweat. This is an important electrolyte. Add a pinch of sea salt to your glass of water to nourish your body.
Recharge With the Right Snack
Since you might be feeling dehydrated, snacks that contain a lot of water are a smart idea. Think of things like cucumber, watermelon, and cantaloupe. You might also consider foods that can further induce relaxation. Tart cherry juice can help you sleep better. Nuts (and nut butter) and even oatmeal are good picks.
Avoid excessive sugar, caffeine, and anything spicy. These can work against you and make it harder to chill out.
You don’t have to break the bank to have a rejuvenating spa experience. With the right products and setting, you can treat yourself to the ultimate at-home spa experience any day of the week.