10 Ways to Transform Your Home Into a Spa Right Now
For those seeking a useful way to spend their time during social distancing—or anyone simply interested in forging a deeper connection with their homes—HB has launched Home Love, a series of daily tips and ideas to make every minute indoors more productive (and gratifying!).
You don't have to leave the house to get a quality spa treatment. While your home might feel far from serene—say, if you live in a small studio apartment or have little ones running around—there are things you can to do to create a more soothing atmosphere. "The big thing about a spa is that it’s a multi-sensory experience," says Bonnie Friend of Spabreaks.com, a spa booking agency in the UK. "It’s about sight, sound, scent, and the power of touch." How your body perceives the space around it really plays into the spa experience. We rounded up 10 ways to help you channel that spa sensation at home. You can also check out these tips on making your bedroom more relaxing.
Leave lavender under your pillow
“Scent is extremely powerful, it can change your mood in an instant,” Friend says, explaining that finding small ways to bring aromatherapy into your home can really make a big difference. She suggests adding a few drops of lavender to a tissue in the morning, then leaving that tissue under your pillow until bedtime. By night, many of the drops will have evaporated, leaving behind a light aroma guaranteed to help you unwind.
Use rose water for household tasks
While ironing clothes may seem like the devil of all chores, Friend suggests that you can turn it into a more therapeutic activity by adding rose water hydrosol (distilled rose water) in your steam iron. Not only will this leave your clothes and linens freshly scented, but, as you iron, the perfumed steam will freshen the air. Plus, rose water can be very good for cleansing the skin. If you don’t have time for a full face mask, a little splash of this flower potion can leave your skin feeling healthy.
Create a clean space for yourself
Creating a neat, tidy, and isolated space for yourself to just “be” is so important, says Friend. "Make it somewhere you can retreat just for you, and imbue it with those scents and sounds that mean a lot to you," she says. Having a place where you can escape to, away from others living in your house, is so important to just check-in with yourself. Make sure to leave your electronics behind—it can all wait.
Dress in clothes that make you feel pampered
Tapping into our sense of touch, what you wear at home can really set the mood. While you might feel compelled to dress down in sweats or flannel jammies, Friend reminds us to dress ourselves in items that don’t feel messy. Choose fabrics that feel good on your skin. She suggests buying loungewear made of soft blend wool, silk, or satin. When it comes to linens, good-quality, simple cotton can really do the trick.
Light some candles
Candles are a big part of the spa experience not just for their scents, but in how they change a room's lighting. A few glowing candles in a darkened room can create a rather holistic experience. No need to save your votives for special occasions or limit them to night use. “Light it in the middle of the afternoon for the sheer enjoyment of it,” Friend says.
Make your own sound bath...
Friend explains that sound bath healing has become an increasingly popular practice in spas. During a sound bath (which involves no actual water, by the way) clients will lay down on a mat as an expert plays instruments like a Tibetan singing bowl, drums, or shakers. Fortunately, you can find a handful of videos on YouTube like the one below to help you virtually experience a sound bath. We suggest laying down on a yoga mat, your bed, or sitting cross-legged in a safe and quiet place as you immerse yourself in the soothing chimes.
…or forest bath
We already know that plants are scientifically proven to reduce anxiety. But to really reap the wellness benefits of greenery indoors, a tiny succulent won't cut it. Go big when picking out plants and place them in areas of the home where you can really enjoy them. Friend explains that “forest bathing” is a popular activity as spas have been bringing outdoor elements inside. The practice actually originated in Japan: Known as shinrin-yoku, which translates to bathing in the forest atmosphere, it's not a hike or run through the woods, but rather allowing oneself to savor the sounds, smells, and sights of nature, and ultimately let the forest in.
As with sound bath healing, the forest bathing does not involve actually bathing yourself. However, the bathroom is still a good place to try and replicate the experience. Try adding some eucalyptus to your shower, using soaps with natural earthy fragrances, and listening to nature sounds in the background while you bathe. Spotify has a whole genre dedicated to soothing music.
Choose products scented with essential oils
Even if you’re not a huge fan of burning essential oils, using products that contain them on the daily make all the difference when you’re washing your hands or wiping down the kitchen counter. Swap out chemical cleaners for some more natural cleaning products that won't leave your home smelling funky. Target's Everspring line of cleaning products is not only eco-friendly, but 100% created with natural fragrances. Choose from options like their Lemon & Mint All-Purpose Cleaner, Lavender & Bergamot Liquid Laundry Detergent, Germainium & Herbs Liquid Hand Soap, Mandarin & Ginger Room Spray, and more. The line also offers essential oils.
Invest in an infrared sleeping bag
While most of us don't have the luxury of installing a sauna at home, you can mimic the experience with an infrared sleeping bag or blanket. These blankets hug your body with heat helping you sweat out all the toxins while soothing your aches and pains.
Take a Little extra time on yourself
Having the right products is one thing, but taking the time to appreciate them is another. "When it comes to washing your face in the morning or washing your hands in the day, take a little extra time to really massage products into your skin, breathe scents in deeply, and pay attention to how everything feels," Friend says. Simple steps, like applying body lotion or spritzing the home with fragrance, can feel all the more special when you take the time to absorb them.
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For more Home Love ideas, head here—we'll be launching a new one every day until April 1st. And tag your own home project photos #homelove for everyone to enjoy!
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