DIY Spa Day Tips to De-Stress and Reset

Need to recharge? This looks like a job for … a DIY spa day!

You know how the solution to tech troubles is often to simply reboot the program? People are kind of like that, too.

We all tend to fall into the habit of trying to be everything for everyone. Juggling the roles of parent, spouse, friend, employee, sibling, volunteer and however many hats you wear gets exhausting. The truth is, we all have too many tabs open at once.

But what about you? Even the dog gets time to go out for a walk.

During the pandemic, the realm of self-care was launched to new heights. The importance of checking out became evident, and every little thing that brought happiness was helpful. People started taking hair, skin and nail care into their own hands, not only out of necessity but as a way to pass the time in quarantine and to de-stress when it was needed more than ever.

It is essential to set aside moments every day or as often as possible to prioritize your well-being with some well-deserved me time. A spa day at home – or even just a spa-like treatment – is a special way you can treat yourself and refresh – physically, mentally and emotionally. After all, you can’t fully take care of others until you take care of yourself.

Consider this your at-home spa day checklist.

Set the Tone

The first step to getting your DIY spa day on the right track is to give your home a spa-like atmosphere.

Scents

Fill the air with scents of essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, lemon or patchouli, all of which are calming de-stressors according to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. Use an aromatherapy diffuser to put out a relaxing plume of scents, paired with ambient mood lighting. Or try a luxury candle like the Nest Fragrances Classic Candle in Ocean Mist & Sea Salt. Light this fan favorite and instantly transport yourself to the coast. You can almost feel the sea breeze in your hair!

Sounds

A white noise machine will help to block out the sounds of the street or your neighbors. The Unegroup Sound Machine for Sleeping & Relaxation comes with a sleep timer and the option to select sounds of sea waves, thunderstorms, light rain and more for a brief escape. To get transported straight to the spa, a trickling fountain may also do the trick.

Spa Water & Tea

Every good spa trip starts with a glass of “spa water,” normally infused with herbs and fruit. Make your own with the Prodyne Fruit Infusion Flavor Pitcher. Experiment with different flavor combinations like cucumber mint or strawberry citrus. If you prefer something warm, the Yogi Stress Relief Tea Set has  a variety of soothing teas that feel like a hug from the inside out.

Get Cozy

From head to toe, get comfy and just breathe.

Eye Mask

While you indulge in your DIY spa day treatments, block our distractions with a weighted eye mask. The weights help you to feel more relaxed and some, like the COCOBELA Eye Mask Pillow can be microwaved or put in the fridge for hot and cold therapy. Perfect for meditation or relieving puffy eyes and migraines.

Robe

Ensure peak “hygge” – the Danish term for getting cozy – with a plush robe. One of Oprah’s favorite things, the Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Robe is made for nights by the fire and Netflix binges.

Slippers

Ugg is known for their super-soft soles and cozy aesthetic with their classic boots. Wear their Coquette slippers around the house to keep your toes warm and oh-so-comfy.

Pamper Yourself

A Relaxing Soak

Does anything feel more like a DIY spa day than a warm bath? Take your bath to the next level with a great smelling, skin-smoothing bath bomb. The handcrafted LifeAround2Angels bath bombs are a favorite on Amazon. Don’t have a bathtub? Shower steamers infuse the steam of your shower with therapeutic fragrances.

Skincare

Skin-healing facial masks are a lot more fun than the essential face coverings we all need to wear these days! The Celavi Essence set comes with a variety of sheet masks that cleanse, soothe, moisturize and refresh. For the rest of your body, try a lotion with a calming scent like lavender.

Hands & Feet

Bring the salon to you! A massaging whirlpool bath like the Conair Foot Spa is exactly what you need after a long day on your feet or any time you want to decompress.

Make sure you have the right tools to give yourself a manicure or pedicure. Then finish with a moisturizing treatment: hand repair gloves and foot socks will leave your dry and rough skin feeling smooth as ever.

Hair

A task as boring as washing your hair can easily turn into a spa day at home when you use the right products. For smoother, shinier and healthier hair, give your strands some extra love with a conditioning hair mask.

Not into a DIY spa day? Self-care comes in many forms, whether it’s reading a good book, brewing a cup of tea or taking a bike ride around the neighborhood. Maybe exercising is your thing (did you know that AAA members can save at thousands of fitness centers nationwide with the Acitve&Fit Direct program?) It is whatever brings you a few moments of peace before jumping back into the daily grind. Take care!

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