5 Simple Spa-Like Luxuries at Home
This week, several women in my sphere have bemoaned feeling blue. The worst part about feeling a little worse for wear is not having the energy to do the things you usually love. While perhaps a walk through the park or a trip to the accessories department of Forever 21 would normally lift your spirits, you — sad little creature — hardly have the will to lift a finger. Here, a short list of comforts to turn to when your tank is running on empty.
Light a candle. The other night I couldn’t bear to trek through the cold rain to the gym. I decided instead to do a relaxing yoga practice in my cramped living room. I lit a tall candle pillar and placed it a few feet out from the top of my mat. Whenever my mind started to wander, I would focus back on the flame. So fond of the warm flickering light, I left the candle burning on the coffee table afterward. It cast a relaxing glow on the living room for the rest of the evening.
Have a cup of tea. Some of us rarely, if ever, drink herbal tea at home, yet when it’s offered before a yoga class or beauty treatment, we’re the first in line to sign up for its calming benefits. The ritual of it is so appealing: have a cup of tea, start to relax. Sit down at home with a cup of peppermint, chamomile, or ginger. And really, if you’re going to take the time to take a couple of deep breaths over the steam of the cup, milky black tea (my favorite) will surely do the trick as well.
Apply a face mask. We don’t always feel that we have time to devote a lot of time to pampering ourselves, but putting on a facial mask is like pressing the pause button on life. You will likely sit quietly alone, either reading, watching tv, or listening to the rain outside for at least 10 minutes as the goop does its job. Sometimes that’s all the time you need for a shot of freshness to your face and your spirit.
Get in the bath, preferably with reading materials. This is as time-tested a cure as there ever was. Grab your novel, a magazine, or the book of poems you’ve been meaning to read and sink into a hot tub. True, it’s not the best for your skin (the hot water saps your skin’s natural moisture), but it is the best for a tired mind and an achy body. Low on luxurious bubble baths and oils? Squirt some shampoo directly into the water stream in a pinch. Afterward, wrap yourself in the nicest robe you have, slather your feet with thick moisturizer, and put on socks.
Retire to bed. When a bad day strikes, why prolong it? I know plenty of grown women not afraid to get under the covers at 7:30 on a bad day. In a dark room, and starting at the top of your head, imagine every part of your body relaxing: your scalp, your eyebrows, your ears, and work your way down to your toenails. Much more effective than counting sheep.
Self-massage. This is so simple, yet so satisfying. Place a few drops of aromatic massage oil or lotion in your palm, and rub your hands together to heat it up. Knead the muscles at the top of your shoulders and the back of your neck. Apply pressure to your temples, the fleshy pad below your thumb, and the arches of your feet. Ahhh…
Amy C: Very timely! I’ve got the “piggie flu”, and have been going stir-crazy stuck at home all week. I finally drew a hot bath last night and drizzled in lavender oil and epsom salts. With a cup of chamomile tea, ahhhh…heaven.
A face mask would be nice today. I’ve been breaking into hives and rashes..I’ll bet it would feel really good.41 weeks ago
You poor thing! You know what else would feel really good? Wearing silk. Do you have a silk nightgown or blouse you could put on? The fabric feels so cooling against irritated skin. When I got chicken pox for the second time as a kid (true story), my mom let me wear her silk blouses and it was so calming. Hang in there and take it easy! (PS I am only calling it piggie flu now. Seems way less scary that way.)41 weeks ago
Aimee: Very good ideas. I love to put on a favorite album and listen to it to boost the mood. Dancing around always helps too.
41 weeks ago
Laureen: And now I know exactly what I will be doing tonight!
Amy C — Look for something with oatmeal in it–it’s supposed to be good for rashes–or make your own, there are lots of home recipes online. Hope you feel better soon!41 weeks ago
Nikk: Timely for me too. I’ve been drinking lots of tea to nurse a virus I have. I think I’m going to try to self massage tonight. During these times it’s hard to justify going for a massage, but just finding those pressure points might be the thing.
Thanks for the tips!41 weeks ago
LoveFeast Table: Great tips! Of course almost all of them would be even better with a nice glass of red wine!!41 weeks ago
LoveFeast, Yeah, I think you just put your finger on what I want to do this evening: [insert anything here] + red wine.41 weeks ago
Emily: This is perfect. I also note that most of them can be done in less than an hour. I work nearly all the time, but I’ve found that if I take an hour for myself when I get home (even if it means an hour less sleep!) I’m much more ready to face the next day.41 weeks ago
Jenna Sais Quois: I am planning on doing ALL of these this coming week. They’re always things you think about doing, but never get around to and I hereby vow to make it happen!
It’s like you read my mind!41 weeks ago
Amy C: I took an oatmeal bath and now have my silk pj’s on! Much better… thanks for the support girls, it honestly made my day
41 weeks ago
Margaret: I finally found what I wanted to put up here, thought it was appropriate: [from a scrap of paper saved long ago from a Bigelow Teas box]:
When your day seems topsy-turvy
And as stormy as can be
There’s nothing quite as tranquil
As a nice hot cup of tea.
While you savor this ambrosia
Your problems fade away
Its warmth will bring you comfort
And brighten up your day.
So take a private moment
There’s calmness, as you’ll see
All because you briefly stopped
To sip a cup of tea.
Hope that brought a smile to your face!
41 weeks ago
alliemarien: i just made a cranberry bread that smelled like a yankee candle…very much an at home luxury41 weeks ago
Avril: Oh thank you for this post! I’ve had a blue blue blue week! And it sent me off the edge when work (which I love) began to annoy me. I knew it was just an ‘off’ phase. Im a chai freak…have always been one
I add a dash of cardamom powder or lemon grass to my tea as its brewing. The sweet aroma of these additions makes me feel calm with every sip. Thank you for the reminder on the candles - I took a course and do a pretty decent job of making candles - which I havent done now for 4 years. But I am going to make some soon, and I plan to make a special cinnamon scented one just for ‘blue’ days. Some special time with my husband, like holding hands or kissing for like 10 mins straight makes my day feel better! Have a good weekend everyone! 
41 weeks ago
Carrie: So very much what I needed. I plan on incorporating all of these into my weekend! Thanks for posting.41 weeks ago
regina: Such a nice list of tips. I feel a little cold coming on~ a spa day sounds perfect!41 weeks ago
Evon T.: Hey, although the hot bath water may be depleting, it can actually be healthy for you if you add epsom salts. I was reading about the benefits of them just a week or so ago, and vowed to soak in a bath of epsom salts at least 3x a week for 30mins. What I read is that the magnesium in the salts is essential for every cell in your body. And with today’s modern diet, most of us are magnesium deficient. This doesn’t help at all with my PMS/PMDD, so perhaps we can give this a try. And the best part is that epsom salts are so cheap but they soften your skin wonderfully. XOXO.41 weeks ago
Anna of Live Solid: Love this! You should post to Live Solid - beauty from the inside to out!41 weeks ago
rachael: Thanks Sara!
Wow, I have such a great resource to pick from now. Even though we have never met, I consider you to be one good friend.41 weeks ago