Spa Day at Home

As I was waiting for a prescription to be filled in my local pharmacy recently, I found a display with various items that would make a fabulous spa day at-home package.

This got me thinking. I decided right then that I want to have my own spa day basket in my bathroom for when I feel the desire to pamper myself.

Table of Contents

• Special Treatment
• Essential Oils
  • Open Bottles
• Essential Oil Diffuser
  • My Newest Diffuser
• Candles
• Bath Salts for Use During Your Spa Day at Home
• Soothing Sounds
• Fluffy Towels
• Calming Lotion
• Setting Up Your Spa Day

Special Treatment

It’s important to take care of yourself – both physically and mentally.

Of course, physical activity, such as walking, doing weight exercises, and eating “right” is something that we should do on a regular basis.

But taking care of our mental well-being is just as important through rest and relaxation.

Today, we’re focusing on giving ourselves some special treatment.

Here are some ideas to put in your spa basket to be ready when a pamper session is in order.

Essential Oils

The use of essential oils has become quite popular.

There are so many things that these oils can be used for. In addition to diffusing, essential oils can be used to make:

• cleaning products
• lotions, butters, salves, and roll-ons for multiple purposes
• salts, bombs, and melts
• soaps, and
• sprays

There are many different brands of essential oils and specific oils themselves.

Essential oils can have various properties that when used, can impact how you feel. They can calm, promote energy, and heighten senses.

So, when selecting the essential oil to use during your spa day at home, you may consider these calming ones;

• lavender
• ylang ylang
• sandalwood
• pine scents
• bergamot

After you’ve made your selections, experiment with blending your oils to get the aroma that you find calming.

Remember, you will not need many drops of oil to achieve a relaxing atmosphere. Your oils are concentrated so less is more.

Open Bottles

If you are just getting started, there is a temptation to buy every essential oil that you can find.

The problem with this is that many oils have a shelf life. The potency of the essential oil will be diminished once the bottle is opened and the oil is introduced to oxygen in the air.

Be sure to tightly screw the bottle cap on when not in use and store it away from light and heat.

Essential Oil Diffuser

I’ve been using a diffuser for a number of years and have several.

When selecting a diffuser, choose one that suits your personality. Many light up when running. And the lights are usually clear or can be changed to glow in various colors. You decide.

One thing to take note of when purchasing a diffuser is the size. If you plan to diffuse lavender in the bedroom, and that bedroom is more compact, then a smaller diffuser is in order. If it will be placed in a larger living room setting, then buy one that will diffuse more square footage. Just take note of the description when choosing the right diffuser.

Remember, don’t set your diffuser directly on wood furniture. You may spill water as you are filling it. But also, the diffuser spreads mists into the air and droplets may fall on and damage wood.

My Newest Diffuser

As I was paging through an essential oil website, I came across a diffuser model that I haven’t seen before. The light comes through the top and illuminates the mist. It appears as though the mist is fire! So cool.

Take your time when selecting a diffuser. Not only does the scent of essential oils promote calmness, but the lights should also have a soothing effect. It’s also a plus when the diffuser adds to the decor of the room, particularly when not in use.

Candles

If diffusing isn’t “your thing”, you may want to keep an assortment of candles to light for your spa day at home.

I find that I can’t pass by a candle display without stopping to sniff each one. And when I find one that pleases my senses, I buy it.

So, if you’re thinking about lighting a candle in the bathroom, make sure that when you shop for one, you have your spa day in mind.

Look for an aroma that isn’t overpowering.

Remember, you’ll be using it in a small room. If you have a candle burning for ambiance and the smell gets to be too much, you’ve just defeated the purpose of burning a candle for relaxation.

Bath Salts for Use During Your Spa Day at Home

If you’re going to soak in the tub, beautifully scented bath salts are a must.

I enjoy using Epsom salts in my bath when I soak. Epsom salt is known to have soothing qualities that aid in releasing tense, stressed muscles.

Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution has a few options for pleasant-smelling salts. I like the lavender scent as it aids in relaxation and sleep. So, it’s a very calming bath.

Or, you can make your own salts.

There are many recipes online for homemade salts. Most usually call for:

• Epsom Salts
• Sea salt or Pink Himalayan salt
• Baking Soda
• your choice of essential oil

You may also find recipes where carrier oil is an ingredient.

I will often look at Sarah’s recipes for all kinds of mixtures using essential oil at One Essential Oil. Her directions are easy to read and well-explained.

Sarah has a post entitled 15 Recipes for Relaxing Bath Salts. Check it out and try one, two, or all of her salts. They will make your spa day at home a truly relaxing experience!

I usually use about 2 cups of bath salts for a warm soaking bath when I enjoy a spa day at home.

If you are taking a shower rather than a bath, you will find recipes for shower melts on Sarah’s page as well.

Soothing Sounds

Everyone has their own idea as to what kind of sounds or music is soothing. While some are calmed by listening to gentle rain, a thunderstorm, or waterfalls, others may find any type of falling water sound irritating.

One evening, while visiting my son and daughter-in-law, I helped put my two young granddaughters to bed. After they were all snuggled in and finished reading a nighttime story, we said goodnight. The girls begged me to stay with them for a couple of minutes so I burrowed down between them. While their mom was leaving, she asked Alexa to play relaxing violin music. The little ones fell fast asleep almost immediately; I found myself drifting off as well.

I now know that violin music is my soothing sound. See what you think. Check out “Relaxing Music – 50 Best Violin and Cello Instruments. on youtube.

There are so many sounds and music to choose from to help you to escape. Here are some that you can experiment with:

• Forest sounds
• Beach waves
• Chimes
• Spa Music
• Instrumental Music
• Jazz
• Classical
• Soul Music

Once you have found your favorite, download a few hours’ worth of soothing sounds to be ready and available when you decide to have a spa day.

Fluffy Towels

Having fluffy towels to wrap yourself in after a bath is such a luxurious feeling.

Did you ever wonder how to keep your new towels feeling that way?

Just a few extra steps when doing the laundry and you’ll have the soft, fluffy towels that you didn’t realize you were missing.

Too much detergent – Adding too much detergent to your load of towels causes excess suds which stays in the towels. After a while, this causes a build-up in the towels and leads them to feel stiffer.

Add white vinegar to the load – Try decreasing the amount of detergent you use in each load and add about 1/2 cup of white vinegar for an average size load. The vinegar will help to strip the detergent buildup that has happened over time. Do this every other week and towels will be softer.

Baking soda will also do the trick – It will pull build-up from the towel but can also cut odors that towels can often have when pulling them from the washing machine. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda into the detergent compartment rather than the detergent.

I went shopping with a friend recently. She bought 2 large bags of baking soda. When I asked her what she was going to do with them, she said she uses it in all of her laundry loads to help to brighten clothes. Please note * that baking soda may cause fading.

Dryer sheets can also cause product build-up in the towel fibers – Try using dryer balls instead. I purchased Norwex drying balls when one of my daughters hosted a party. You can find these at many of the big box stores as well. I like to add a couple of drops of baby powder essential oil on to the balls. It gives the towels a wonderful light smell of baby powder as you pull them from the dryer.

Additional thoughts

• Try washing only towels in a load and don’t overload.
• Give each towel a good shake when coming out of the washer and out of the dryer. It helps to fluff up the fibers.
• Don’t overdry towels. If they are slightly damp coming out of the dryer, hang them up until completely dry.
• Give them another good shake to fluff them up before folding and putting them away.

Of course, having a soft, fluffy towel for your spa day at home is sumptuous. But wouldn’t it be nice to have them for everyday use as well?

Calming Lotion

Don’t forget to stock up on your favorite body butter or lotion.

There are many, many different brands out there with an innumerable amount of scents.

After a spa day at home, you want to make sure that the scent you use continues the calming effect that you have achieved through your relaxing bath.

Next time you’re shopping for body lotion or creme, make sure you take notice of the following calming scents:

• lavender – a soft, floral tranquil scent
• citrus smells will calm but it will also help your focus
• vanilla can not only calm but can uplift your spirits.

There are also brand-name lotions that have their own mixtures that promote relaxation. Check out what Bath and Body Works, Aveeno, and Vaseline have to offer.

Another favorite of mine is Hempz. It comes in beautiful scents and feels so nice on the skin.

Particularly in the winter, I pamper the dry skin on my feet and legs with Mary Kay’s Mint Bliss. It’s advertised as energizing but I love the soft lingering smell of the fresh mint. And even though it takes a bit of time to massage my feet it is so worth it!

Or, you may decide that you want a lotion with little to no scent but need deep moisturizing. Once again, there is a plethora of brand names advertising exactly that.

Check out Gold Bond Ultimate Overnight Deep Moisturizing Skin Lotion or Neutrogena’s brand. Sometimes you can find a store-brand lotion that delivers the same kind of moisturizing and skin hydration.

You just have to keep sampling to find your favorite.

Setting Up Your Spa Day

First, start your diffuser as you’re getting everything else ready. This will give a bit of time for the light scent of the oils that you’re diffusing to fill the air, allowing you to get the full effect.

If you are planning to soak, move a small table next to the tub (if you don’t have a bathtub tray to traverse across the tub). This allows for easy reach to any items you’ll be using while taking your bath.

Items to have on hand:

• Good book
• loofah sponge
• facial mask or a chilled eye mask if you aren’t doing a facial
• luxurious bathrobe and
• fuzzy slippers

When you feel that you have everything prepared and set up, dim the lights, slip into the warm water, and enjoy.

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Disclaimer: I do not receive any compensation from the sale of any products suggested in this article. Anything stated here is my opinion only and does not guarantee any type of outcome by using said products. See additional disclaimer information here.