Between work, the news, and social media stressors, you’re probably living in a constant state of low level anxiety. You’re not alone. So many of us spend all our time thinking about others or taking care of business that we never stop to take time for ourselves.
Instead of getting stressed about work or reading about the latest horrible thing that happened in the news, take a break. You can give yourself the spa day of your dreams without ever leaving your house or apartment. It’s a great way to relax and unwind on a budget.
You’re about to discover everything you need to turn your favorite room into a soothing haven. After your DIY spa day, you’ll have softer skin, rejuvenated hair, and that glow that comes from enjoying at least an hour with zero stress.
Set Up Your Space
Before you do any treatments, take a little time to set up your space and get into the relaxation frame of mind. Put your phone in the other room, play some soothing music, and take some slow deep breaths. All of these things send signals to your brain and body that the next hour or so will be all about you and all about relaxing.
Then, make your space as appealing as possible.
Candles
Candles = instant relaxation. They give your room a perfect glow and tell your brain it’s time to chill. Get a huge pack of tea lights that will last you through many spa days to come. To really set the mood, use this sea salt candle holder. Then, light an aromatic candle (like this one) to give your room that perfect spa scent.
Cucumber Water
When do you ever drink cucumber water? Only at the spa, right? Cut up some cucumbers and let them float in your cutest pitcher while you prepare the room for spa time. Add some lime or mint for an extra treat.
Get Your Spa On
Now that your mind and room are ready, it’s time to get your spa on. You can do any variety of treatments you like, but here are some ideas to get you started.
Face Mask
Try the Korean beauty Bubble Clay Mask for a totally unique at-home experience. It gets your pores super clean and has a fun, fizzy feeling. This mask is incredibly popular and how often do you get an excuse to play with bubbly clay?
Hair Mask
You don’t need anything fancy for a hair mask. In fact, you can use stuff that’s already in your kitchen.
For Normal to Dry Hair
Try an avocado mask. Just blend an avocado with coconut oil until you get a thick (maybe still a little lumpy) consistency. Apply it all over your hair and let it sit at least 20 minutes. Then rinse! Your hair will be hydrated and shiny and you can eat any of the ingredients that are left over.
For Oily Hair
Mash up a banana with a teaspoon of honey and apply from root to tip. Let sit for at least 20 minutes before rinsing. Your hair will enjoy the added nutrients and stay clean and oil free.
Perfect Nails
To take your nail treatment to the next level, start with a dab of cuticle oil. This milk and honey oil nourishes skin and repairs cracked cuticles. Give yourself a gentle massage as you apply the oil and let it sit on your fingertips for at least a minute. You’ll get super soft hands and healthier cuticles.
When it comes to painting your nails, if your manicure skills aren’t quite on point, use this liquid latex to keep your polish where it should be. Paint the latex wherever you don’t want the polish to go. Then polish your nail normally. Once everything is dry, peel off the latex and marvel at a job well done.
Super Smooth Feet
If you want smooth feet the second you step out of your home/spa, try this organic tea tree oil foot scrub. The light scrub exfoliates while the tea tree oil kills germs and bacteria naturally.
If you don’t mind waiting a couple days for results, spring for Baby Foot. Sure, your feet will look super gross for a day or two, but ALL the dead skin comes off! Seriously, if you have a strong stomach, check out the Baby Foot before, during, and after photos. You’ll have to deal with a lot of peeling, but it’s all in the name of having the softest feet ever.
Body Scrub
To save money and get crafty, make your own DIY scrub. Just combine sugar, an oil of your choice (like almond, coconut, or olive oil), and an essential oil for a pleasant scent. Lavender is great for a relaxing scrub or—if you want a more energizing scent—try an oil with ylang ylang.
If you don’t have time to make your own, try this Dead Sea salt scrub. It contains over 20 essential minerals to keep your skin in optimal condition. Plus, it’s much cheaper to get this scrub than it is to take a trip all the way to the Dead Sea.
Bath Bomb
Soak all the masks and scrubs away with a vegan bath bomb. Whether you want a little fizz in your tub or just a gorgeous scent, this set has you covered.
After all that pampering, you’ll be ready to face the stress of your day with a sense of calm. And when you need some dedicated me time again in a week or two, you’ll have all your DIY spa materials ready to go for another round of soothing treatments.