Create Your Own Spa Sanctuary At Home

Not everyone is a fan of spas nor can afford to go to one, but you can’t deny they have a special way of transporting you and relaxing your body, soul and senses.

My love affair with spas began 30 years ago. About one month after completing grueling chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer, my then-boss surprised me with a party and a gift certificate to a day of beauty at the famed Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon & Spa. I entered through the big red door – a sign of welcome and sanctuary – and instantly felt transformed. This was the perfect medicine – calmness and equilibrium I so desperately craved after my recent upheaval and ordeal. Subsequently, I was indulged and pampered. And hooked. It’s honestly my dream to have one of the custom swimming pools and spas in my final home so I can spend all day just relaxing!

Coincidentally, I am celebrating my 30-year cancer-versary this Saturday; kicking off my celebration with a massage in the same spot where my love affair began. I’m looking forward to the massage I won in a raffle (I never win anything, ever!) from LiveLoveSpa during their event honoring Wellness Month this past August.

Although we cannot all get to a spa, there are things we can do at home to create the spa experience and transform our own personal space into a sanctuary. What could be better than taking the time to relax in your own home, and at any time of the day? As we all say – “there’s no place like home.” Once you have completed your spa regime for the day, finish your session off by unwinding in your own hot tub, which you can find at places like this hot tub store, to ensure that you get the most out of your home spa experience. It may be the best thing that you ever do, but this is just one of them. Some of them are as easy as dimming the lights, lighting some candles, drawing up a bath made more special with fragrant oils or epsom salts and playing soft, calming music. Or it can be as simple as changing out your showerhead. You could even consider ordering a shower door direct from a company offering those services in your local area. That should give you more space in your shower to utilize whilst you embark on creating a home spa. Others may require a bit more effort, but your senses, mind and body will be so grateful for the effort, trust me.

Some top spas around the country share their secrets below. Keep reading to learn about some of my own favorite product recommendations that never fail to transport me.

The Lodge at Woodloch. This luxury resort in the heart of the Pocono mountains is the recipient of too many awards to list, including a 2018 Top 10 Domestic Spas award from Travel & Leisures Readers Choice Awards and a Travelers Choice Award by TripAdvisor.

Amanda Clabaugh, their Treatments Manager, shares their simple yet effective fall-inspired Hydrating Facial Pumpkin Mask recipe:

2 tablespoons cooked or canned pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon honey

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1/2 teaspoon coconut milk

Mix all ingredients together and place in the refrigerator for 1 day. Apply to skin and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

If you have some leftover candy canes, here’s a way to put them to good use: crush them up and treat your feet (now, that’s a good way to feed your sole!)

Candy Cane Foot Scrub:

1/4 cup grape seed oil

1 cup raw sugar

5 drops peppermint essential oil or 2 drops peppermint extract

1/2 candy cane, run through food processor until very fine

Blend all ingredients and gently rub over feet. This cooling foot scrub will soothe tired feet while leaving you feeling invigorated! Recently one of my friends has told me about the health boosting benefits of an Ionic Foot Detox. If this is something that would interest you, take a look at these Detox foot bath safety tips.

Blu Spas, a spa design company that has created over 400 projects in 38 countries – from the Four Seasons to the Waldorf Astoria – shares some of their secrets for creating your at-home sensory sanctuary:

Bring nature inside with hydroponic, vertical-grow garden towers, which can not only add color to your space but be a ready source of fresh produce.

Create a tech-free space, ideally in a shady corner of the yard, terrace or balcony or inside with ample light. Frame the outdoor area with potted herbs, succulents and fragrant plants. Indoors, set down a soft rug or carpet so you can go barefoot or sit on the floor.

Consider using natural candles (beeswax is idea) or aromatherapy essential oil diffusers.

Lake Austin Spa Resort, an all-inclusive luxury resort tucked away in Texas hill country, is a destination I hope to visit one day; I’ve heard nothing but raves about their services, programs and food.

Their chef Stephane Beaucamp helps you channel your inner chef with their easy, healthful recipe for Meyer lemon vinaigrette salad dressing:

Makes about 1 1/2 cups

1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons light agave syrup
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Combine the lemon juice, light agave syrup, and white wine vinegar in a blender and puree until smooth. With the blender running, add the grapeseed oil in a slow, steady stream until the mixture is emulsified. Add the salt and pulse to blend.

1 Tablespoon of Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
80 calories | 8g fat | 3g carb | 0g protein | df | gf

Maggy Dunphy from Loma de Vida Spa at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, likes to end her day with her two Himalayan salt stones, which she rubs with pure lavender and places in her hands before laying down to rest.

Breathing is something we all do but we all do not do it mindfully. The Four Seasons Lanai offers this simple breathing technique used by yogis, which activates the relaxation response. You can do it anywhere, anytime, and in just three minutes it can chill you out.

Sit comfortably on a chair (at home, or at work at your desk, for example) or sit on the floor in an easy pose (crossed legged).

Relax your shoulders, close your eyes and take a deep, full breath through your nose. Exhale out any distractions.

Bring your right thumb up (as if you are giving the thumbs up sign) and close off your right nostril.

Take a slow, deep inhale through your left nostril and send the breath down to your lower abdomen, allowing the belly to expand and the chest to rise. Exhale slowly and completely, pressing in gently at the navel center. Continue for 1-3 minutes (or up to 11 minutes). Allow your facial muscles to relax, and pay attention to what it feels like.

To end, inhale fully, hold the breath for 10 seconds, then exhale. Make sure you take a moment to feel the difference you have made in your body.

If you’re finding it difficult to breathe through your left nostril, feel free to adjust your hand accordingly. Get creative – the whole idea is to breathe deeply, fully and calmly.

Onward to some of my (very favorite) product picks:

Surround your space with soothing fragrance – it’s easy with this aromatherapy diffuser from The Pure Company that will quietly fill the air with a fine mist of essential oil. And don’t worry if you nod off while it’s running (one of the pleasant hazards of being relaxed): you can set it for two, four or six hours. It even comes equipped with a soft, white LED light to further put you in the mood for…whatever suits your fancy.

You know how when you come out of the shower at a spa, you smell so, so, clean and fresh? Dr. Teals Body wash has a relaxing eucalyptus and spearmint to help restore your tired body; plus aloe vera, shea butter and vitamin E to nourish your skin.

Comphy sheets were developed for spas and are now available to use at home. And I’m so happy I discovered them! They make crawling into bed at the end of the day even more special. I melt right into these silky-soft sheets and I feel like I’m back at the spa. A girl can dream, can’t she?

Did you know Ugg made bathrobes? Neither did I until my husband surprised me with this one (Happy Chanukah, honey!) It’s soft and warm and makes my body feel pampered every time I wear it. I wouldn’t be surprised if some spas don’t already offer these to their clients as part of the experience.

Wahl wants everyone to be able to have a massage whenever they desire. And they make it possible with their extensive line of massage at-home multi-function massagers. Create your own spa-like experience and take matters into your own hands to soothe those pesky aches and pains that plague you. And say ahhhhhh.

If you can’t get to a spa, you can read about one – 200 of them, to be exact. Lonely Planet’s new book, Wellness Escapes, can take you on journeys to some of the world’s most inspiring and relaxing wellness retreats. Who knew that there were ancient thermal baths right in New York City?

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