The leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are dropping. It makes you want to cuddle up inside and do some self-care, doesn’t it? What better way to practice self-care than by having a home spa day?
Whether you are renting an apartment in Seattle, WA, renting a house in Seattle, or own a home, you can learn from our experts on how to have a rejuvenating home spa day that will leave you feeling rested and refreshed. Read on to learn more.
Before embarking on your home spa day journey, you’ll need to stock up on all the necessities for a relaxing day at home. “Start with a stop by our Ballard location to stock up on the essentials for creating your sweet staycation,” says Inez Gray of Habitude Salons and Spa, a spa, salon, and gallery located in the Seattle area.
“We recommend a candle, bath salts, a facial mask, a body brush, a deep hair conditioner, an aromatherapy oil, a body moisturizer, our signature tea, and a bit of chocolate. Once you have everything, you can prepare your bathroom by lighting that candle, playing some calming music, and filling the bath with oil and salts. Start with a dry body brush before you enter the tub then as you soak the stress away apply your hair conditioner and facial mask. Take some long cleansing breaths and enjoy the tea, chocolate,, and peace. As you exit the tub, apply your body moisturizer from neck to toes and leave refreshed and rejuvenated.”
Just as Inez touched on, music and scents have a special way of coaxing our bodies into relaxing and letting go of stress. “To create a truly relaxing home spa day, start by setting the mood with soft lighting and calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus,” advises Christy Renée of The Ladies Room, a women-owned silent spa in Greenwood, Washington.
“Set the tone with meditative music or nature sounds. If available, draw up a warm bath with your favorite healing Epsom salts or bath bomb. Incorporate a DIY facial using a hydrating mask and finish with a gentle scalp massage for the ultimate soothing experience,” she concludes.
If you only have time for a quick trip to your home spa before bed, Genevra Cardoso of Zama Massage, the No. 1 rated spa in Portland according to Yelp, has some tips for you on winding down for a blissful night’s sleep.
“Begin with a warm bath, adding 2 cups of Epsom salts and a few drops of your favorite essential oils for relaxation. While the tub fills, dry brush your legs and feet with upward strokes towards the heart. Apply your favorite face mask, and soak for 30 minutes, this will detoxify and rejuvenate your skin. After you rise and dry, apply a pain-relieving cream like arnica to any tense areas, then moisturize the rest of your body with a rich lotion or oil. Finish with a dab of cooling eye cream underneath the eye, and let yourself drift into a blissful night’s sleep.”
For those with a partner, creating a spa night together can be a perfect way to spend quality time together and get some much-needed self-care. Alexandra Freeman of Introductions Inc. and Oregon Matchmaking, a luxury matchmaking website for singles, has a three-step plan for the perfect couples spa night.
“In my years of date coaching and matchmaking, a common topic with my clients is how to spice up your date night. As fun as a night out on the town can be, true dating requires the building of intimacy as a couple. What better way than a date night at home? My top recommendation is an intimate home spa day. With only a few well-planned activities, you and your partner can end the evening closer than ever and feeling fully relaxed and recharged. Here's my recommended schedule for a perfectly pampered evening:
Set the scene!
Light your favorite scented candle and start your soothing playlist. Lower the lights and make sure you and your partner are clean, relaxed, and engaged in the evening. Cut up some fresh fruit and feed each other, anything to start building the intimacy and relaxation of the evening.
Partner massages
Everyone loves a massage, pay attention to the places on your partner that hold stress such as the shoulders, neck, and lower back. Take turns and while you massage you can destress with casual conversation. Make sure you use a good massage oil with a pleasing scent.
Facials and aromatherapy
Invest in some high-quality facial masks (or make your own!) and bath oils. Nothing relaxes like a long soak while you wait for your mask to dry. This is a great opportunity to cuddle and clean off your massage oil from the previous activity.”
Spa days don’t have to include baths, facials, or massages. For some people, just resting and watching a TV show all day is the best way to rest. Listen to Yogini Patil from Travel and Happiness: “My idea of a perfect home spa day is to light up a candle – preferably vanilla scented – brew a cup of green tea, and curl up in the bed with my favorite book all day long.”
The important part about creating a home spa day is that it works for you and your needs. If you feel like you’ve been able to recover your energy and re-center, then it’s safe to call that a successful spa day.
Jeremy Steckler works at Redfin as a Content Marketing Coordinator. He has been cultivating a passion for writing his whole life and is recently diving into a love for producing local and lifestyle content. Jeremy lives in Seattle and loves spending time hiking, playing guitar, and acting in the local film scene. His ideal home would be a decommissioned lighthouse overlooking the water.