How you can create a spa experience at home

We’re firm believers of taking time out and looking after your wellbeing, especially if you’re feeling a little stressed or anxious. If you’re spending more time indoors, make this your opportunity to give yourself some TLC by creating your own serene spa experience at home. Here’s our guide on how to turn your home into your own luxurious little sanctuary.

Create a calming atmosphere

Creating a spa-at-home experience is easier than you might think. If we were going to bring a touch of Ragdale to you, we’d start with some soothing background music- think gentle sea-waves, waterfalls or birdsong to tune out the world around you. You’ll need some soft lighting to create ambience, so light a few candles (scented, if you have some – we love the soothing scent of geranium, orange, lavender and ylang ylang) to give you a sense of calm. Set up your pampering den wherever is best for you, whether this is on your sofa, or in your bedroom or bathroom.

Clear the mind

Before you begin your pampering session, a cup of herbal tea will help you unwind (we love Chamomile tea for its antioxidant properties which help promote sleepiness – ahhhhhh).  Sit or lie down for half an hour or however long you feel you need, without your phone or tablet and just let the tension slowly melt away. With only your thoughts to keep you company, it can be difficult to feel completely de-stressed, so try this simple breathing technique to help free the mind of any worries:

• Sit comfortably with your back straight. Put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach.
• Breathe in through your nose. The hand on your stomach should rise. The hand on your chest should move very little.
• Exhale through your mouth, pushing out as much air as you can while contracting your abdominal muscles. The hand on your stomach should move in as you exhale, but your other hand should move very little.
• Continue to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try to inhale enough so that your lower abdomen rises and falls. Count slowly as you exhale.

Run a bath

The home-equivalent of a whirlpool, a soak in the bath is the perfect end to any day. You can also add Epsom salts to your bath water to help ease your muscles – or opt for your favourite bubble soak. For an added sense of escapism, unwind and switch off with a few chapters from a good book.

Keeping your skin glowing with a facial 

Nothing says ‘spa’ more than a pampering facial – to achieve this at home try adding a little more time to your usual skincare routine to help you enjoy the pampering benefits. Begin with a fragrant balm cleanser to help melt away any stresses and any build up of oil and grease on the skin – on application, take a few deep breaths to allow the soothing fragrance give you that ‘ahhhhhh’ feeling. Follow with a gentle exfoliator to ensure the skin is primed, before applying a face mask. Sit back and let the mask do its magic, and follow by washing your face with lukewarm water. Complete your pampering facial with a toner, moisturiser, eye cream/gel, etc. and don’t forget to apply suncream if it’s daytime. 

A treat for the hair 

There’s a good chance you’re missing your hairdresser at the moment, so now is the perfect time to give your hair some TLC and add a hair mask into your at-home spa experience and give your locks a hydrating boost. If you don’t have a hair mask in your beauty cupboard, you can always reach for the coconut oil in your kitchen cupboard – simply melt 1 tbsp of coconut oil (you may need a little more for longer hair) and apply from the roots to the tips and cover with a shower cap Leave for 15-20-minutes and then rinse.