How to organize a home spa day on a budget?
The daily demands on any modern day mom, make pouring a hot bath and soak away the stress of the day an ultimate highlight. Sometimes, it’s all you need to reset and feel yourself again. But, what if, with a little planning, you could top that?
Why not take the time to enjoy a well deserved spa day, with all the bells and whistles, right in your own home… and on a minimal budget? There are loads of ways you can have a near perfect spa day, without spending any money. Here are some great tips to help you get the most out of your well deserved pamper day.
Create the Space
The one thing you know for sure when you’re relaxing at a spa, is that you’ll have no interruptions. The same can’t always be said when you’re at home. If you can’t send the family out for the day, it’s absolutely essential that you create a space in which they know, from the moment the “Spa Day” starts, to when it ends… NO INTERRUPTIONS.
Create a “Spa Zone” where everyone knows not to interfere or even utter the word “Mommy”. If you have a main en-suite attached to your bedroom, it’s the perfect area to close off and transform into your luxury retreat.
Get the Drinks Ready
The solution to pollution is dilution. By drinking a lot of water, you’ll cleanse your body more effectively than even juicing could. Of course, this is a spa and you can’t drink just any old water. Cut some fresh fruit like berries, apples, lemons and cucumber and scoop them into a large jug of chilled water. Add some mint for extra flavor or green tea for its additional detoxifying properties.
Prepare Snacks
A typical spa meal would be a light chicken salad with lettuce, chick peas and avocado. Add some strawberries for sweetness, and a little feta cheese and olives to finish it off just right. For the rest of the day, a large bowl of your favorite fruits and nuts will keep you from becoming peckish as you enjoy your relaxation session.
Set the Atmosphere
Draw your curtains to create a calm, quiet and dreamy atmosphere. Scented candles and light meditative music will make the room feel like a real spa and remind you why you’re here. By turning your bedroom into an upmarket hotel like suite, you’ll instantly feel relaxed and 100% pamper-ready. For tips on how to create that hotel room feel, or to select plants that will cleanse the air in your bedroom to helping you relax and sleep better, check out wellworthliving.com.
For the ambient music, make sure to use a waterproof Bluetooth speaker, or wrap your phone in a small plastic bag to keep it from getting wet.
Once you’ve set the scene, it’s time to start the head-to-toe treatments.
DIY Hair Mask
Half a cup of honey mixed with 2 tablespoons of olive oil attracts helps lock in moisture. It will bring a natural, smooth shine to your hair and it’ll feel fantastic.
Apply the mixture to damp, clean hair. Make sure to apply to each strand and focus on the ends. Wrap your hair in a dry towel or plastic wrap and climb into the tub. Leave it in for as long as you’re in the bath. You’ll shower it away a bit later, after your body gets its own special attention.
Soak It Up
Fill a warm bath to the brim and add 1 cup of whole milk and 6 tablespoons of honey. A milk and honey bath will leave your skin silky and soft. The protein and lactic acid in the milk helps exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells and leaving the new skin hydrated. The honey promotes moisture retention so will lock in the benefits.
If you are experiencing any muscle cramps, add Epsom salt to your bath to ease pain and relieve inflammation. Let it dissolve as you mix it into the water. While you lie there listening to the soft tropical beats in the background, let your mind drift away as your body relaxes right down to the core.
If you feel like taking on a creative project, try your hand at making your own DIY bath bombs beforehand.
A Facial Steam
The hot bath would have started the process of opening up your pores and airways. When you’re ready to climb out the bath, place a bowl of hot water infused with essential oils on a stable surface. Make sure it’s at the right level so that you can comfortably lean over it with a light towel draped over your head. Steam for around 8 minutes to help prepare your skin for the next treatment.
Scrub-a-Dub
By mashing together 3 tablespoons of granulated brown sugar, 1 spoon of Olive oil and a few drops of vanilla extract, you’ll have created the perfect face and body scrub. If you’re happy to go the extra mile, you could even add some avocado or banana for texture and aroma.
Massage the scrub gently on the face… but make sure to treat your whole body. This especially works wonders on dry elbows and knees. After you’ve thoroughly scrubbed yourself into a silky velvet marshmallow, it’s time to hop in the shower, rinse away the scrub and hair mask, revealing a fresh, new version of yourself.
Foot Massage
Jump out of that shower refreshed and wrap yourself in the plushest towels you own.
To create the perfect massage oil, you’ll need to combine 1 ounce of “carrier” oil like sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil, with 10 drops of “essential” oils. You can create your own aromas by combining different essential oils into one enchanting potion. A great combination for soothing feet is sandalwood, rosemary, jasmine and eucalyptus.
Make sure to rub your whole foot from the upper heal all the way to the tip of each toe. A wooden hand massager will ensure your fingers don’t get tired. Feel the tension release with each stroke.
Last but not Least: Mani-Pedi
It’s time to settle in for a good mani-pedi while you relish the tranquillity you’ve created.
Go classic and glide on a neutral varnish or, make a statement with a bold color that will remind you daily of your self-love session.
By now, you should feel completely relaxed and ready for a good nap. Your perfect budget home spa day… a complete success!