This How To Have An At Home Spa Day is part of our staycation series. It is partially sponsored. Just because you can’t go out doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time.
Let’s be honest.
Right now, everyone is stressed. People aren’t working, people are worried about getting sick, everyone has an opinion on how the world should reopen.
And it feels like no one agrees on anything. Even people who agree can find a way to argue.
That’s been turning people into keyboard warriors, even more so because people are at home more, meaning they have more time to argue on social media.
Me? I’m in my little bubble of happiness. I’m not stressed, I’m not arguing with anyone, and I’m using the skills I learned taking karate in second grade to karate chop away any negativity. Like nope. You and your stressed out attitude can’t come for my happiness, thank you very much.
If spas were open, people could just go there and have a spa day. Spend the afternoon with mud on your face, cucumbers on your eyes, sniffing in aromatherapy. Add in a back massage and some tranquil music and it’s a lot easier to find a zen attitude.
Right now, you have to be a little more creative to find that moment of zen. So we definitely recommend an at home spa day.
The majority of the items used during your at home spa day are items that you already have at home. Go through the list as you’re planning your spa day, just to see if you need to refill any of your products. Then, when you have everything, let the at home pampering begin.
How To Have An At Home Spa Day
This at home spa day list is in chronological order. You can jump around and skip things, of course. If you don’t have time for everything, just choose what you can fit into your day.
Make some infused water or soothing tea
The spa we usually go to has this amazing ginger tea that you drink while you are filling out paperwork. It’s so good. Ginger is really great to smooth inflamed muscles too, so it’s a great way to start relaxing your body. If you don’t have ginger tea around, infused water is a good way to hydrate as well.
Make the water or tea before you start your spa day. Once you’re in spa mode, you don’t want to do any sort of work.
Put on a comfy robe
Every time I’ve had a spa day, it has started with a robe and slippers. You just feel more relaxed when you’re not wearing pants, right? Why should your spa day at home be any different?
So ditch your restrictive clothing and lounge around in your comfiest robe.
Wear your coziest slippers
I love slippers. There’s something about them — maybe it’s because the slippers are giving your feet a hug (work with me here). So if you have cozy slippers, put them on your feet for now.
Turn on spa music
The music at spas is always so tranquil. Maybe you can relax to rap (I think Pete can, honestly), but something more peaceful — think Enya — is always playing at the spas we go to. So make a playlist for the day, or just find one you can stream online, and get your relaxation on.
Diffuse essential oils
If you have an essential oils diffuser, add some calming essential oils to it. Lavender is usually calming. If you have something else that helps you relax, diffuse that into your home or whatever room you’re having your spa day in.
Run a bath
Baths can be so relaxing when you’re able to sit back and enjoy it. So often, people just rush through baths. So set up a relaxing one with Epsom salts, which is really good to ease any tensions in your muscles, or homemade bubble bath.
Get your favorite cold beverage and a good book, if you can really take your time.
Use an exfoliator or dry brush
While you’re taking a bath, use an exfoliator or dry brush to remove any dead skin.
We actually got the chance to try the Prana Ionic Dry Brush. I used it after the shower and my skin was so soft. The bristles on the brush are made from copper, so they are a little scratchy. But it’s worth it. Those scratchy bristles quickly remove your dead skin, leaving your skin so smooth.
Plus, according to the brand’s website, using an ionic dry brush increases your energy levels, detoxifies your body, creates negative ions and neutralizes free radicals, and reduces cellulite. So it’s definitely something you should use on a regular basis, even if you’re not doing a full at home spa day.
If you don’t have any of that, even a scratchy Japanese washcloth will help with removing dead skin and keeping your skin smooth.
Change into comfy loungewear
I sleep, mostly, in yoga pants and t-shirts. But, I do have a few of the comfiest pajama sets as well. I’m sure you’re the same way. So when you’re pampering yourself during your spa day, your post-shower outfit should be something cozy, like comfy loungewear or a pajama set. Don’t put your restrictive yoga pants on, even though those are comfortable. Let your body and skin breathe.
Use a sheet mask
A great way to hydrate and add moisture back to your skin is through a face mask.
To use them, you want to wash and pat dry your face (which is why we are putting this part of your spa day here, after the shower). You open the package and unfold the mask, then put it on your face — as best you can. Honestly, if you haven’t used a sheet mask before, it may take a little practice to make sure you are fitting it properly to your face. You want to align the holes to your eyes, nose, and mouth so be sure to lay the mask properly on those features.
Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes. Small aside: If you leave a sheet mask on too long, it can actually start to dry and remove moisture from your skin — which totally defeats the purpose. So don’t think you’re adding value to your face by keeping it on longer than directed.
When you’re done, remove and discard the sheet mask. Pat any remaining serum into your skin. Don’t give in to any temptation to wash your face after. You can use a moisturizer after, though.
File and paint your nails
While you’re relaxing with your face mask on, file and paint your nails. A quick manicure and pedicure will make you feel so much better.
If you skipped the bath (I don’t know why you would, but you have your reasons), be sure to use a salt or sugar scrub on your hands and feet before painting your nails, just to give a little exfoliation to your skin.
Then, since your nails are wet, just lay back and relax. You can’t do anything while your wait for your nails to dry anyway, so take this time to just breathe in the essential oils and give your body and brain a break.
Use a foam roller or at home massager
Now that your body is super relaxed, now is a good time to stretch it out and work out any tense muscles. A foam roller is a great way to roll out your back, which is awesome if you work a job where you sit a lot.
If you have a wooden foot roller, this is great time to use it on your feet (obviously) but also your calves, quads, biceps, and triceps. It’s not intended for that, but I’ve had one for decades and I always use it on my muscles.
A wooden pressure point massager is good to use too, but it’s a little hard to use on your own. If you have someone at home who could give you a massage, this is great.
And, if you have a couple bucks to spend, there’s an electronic massage ball that we saw on television that looks amazing. It uses heat and vibration to work on your muscles. We haven’t tried it, but I do want to get it for Pete because he works construction and this could really help him. It’s a little pricey, but it’s less than you would spend on a full spa day, so it’s worth it.
Have a light snack
When we went for a spa day at a resort, we were given champagne and a light snack at the end. We sat in a room with essential oils and calming music — which you already have going on, so you should end your spa day with a light snack, something special that you don’t usually have.
What tips do you have for an at home spa day? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
Elise Ho
Monday 31st of August 2020
I love all of your tips though I would say that my favorite is the reminder to use my Dry Brush. I just love the way my entire body feels afterwards.
Rebecca Payne
Tuesday 25th of August 2020
I love it. I love my sheet face masks.