A Mini-Spa Experience at Home

I try to go to a health spa/fitness resort twice a year. I try to go to my favorite day spa once a month. And I try to create my own mini-spa experience at home once a week.

The following is my routine. It may not appeal or work for you. But if you get even one new idea, then investing your time to read this article is worthwhile.

1. Set aside one and a half to two hours when there is a high confidence of being uninterrupted

2. Prepare the bathroom:

• Light a candle. My favorite lately has been Mississippi River Traders /Exporters Aromatherapy Candles (Knowledge, Harmony, Tranquillity ) I also have used the Stress Relief Candle from the Bath & Body Works

• Start filling the bathtub with tolerably hot water

• Put about a tablespoon each of the following into the tub under the running water:

1. Crabtree & Evelyn's Citrus Body Shampoo

2. Crabtree & Evelyn''s Aloe Shower & Bath Gel

3. Bath & Body Work's Stress Relief Mineral Bath Salts

(I don't remember how I came up with this combination, but I like it better than any of the more expensive spa products I've tried)

or

Aromafloria's Sensual Harmony

• Make sure the following is easily accessible from the tub:

1. A washcloth

2. A razor with a new blade (I prefer shaving to waxing)

3. A nylon net scrubbing puff

4. Oil of Olay Moisturizing Body Wash

• Attach an inflatable terry cloth pillow to the wall behind the tub

3. Take care of maintenance - pluck, bleach, remove fingernail polish, etc.

4. Apply a facial mask

5. Dry brush entire body to exfoliate

6. Rub Jurlique's OPC Tea Tree Body Exfoliating Gel all over body

7. Get into the tub

8. Lay back and rest head on pillow

9. Practice relaxation techniques for 10-15 minutes

• Take a few deep, cleansing breaths

• Clear the mind of all outside thoughts and concerns

• Mindfully tell the muscles to relax. Start with the face, move on to the neck, shoulders, and finish with the toes.

10. Remove the facial mask with the washcloth.

11. Put Oil of Olay Body Wash on the net puff and scrub all over. Use the foam from this to shave legs and underarms.

12. Rinse off, get out of the tub,and pat dry.

13. Gently apply a moisturizing body lotion. I like High Desert available from Enchantment Resort. I also like St. Ives Swiss Formula Aloe Vera Therapy Lotion.

14. Apply a moisturizing face cream. I like St. Ives Swiss Formula Alpha Hydroxy Facial Renewal Lotion. I also use a few drops of Jurlique's eye gel around my eyes to combat puffiness and dark circles.

15. I then put something comfortable on, lie down on my bed, and listen to a hypnotic relaxation cassette tape.

16. Shape and polish nails.

This routine leaves my skin feeling soft and the rest of me feeling very refreshed. Even if you don't follow my routine, I think it's important to establish one of your own. Everyone needs and deserves to pamper themselves now and then.

More Spa At Home Ideas can be found in the following articles:

• Spa Day - Guest article by Jyl Steinback. How to create a full spa day within the privacy of your own home with exercise, body treatments, and delicious food for under $25.

• Partnered Meditation and Massage
  Guest article by Margaret Doner, LMT co-author of The Wellness Center's Spa at Home.

The following books have great Spa-At-Home Ideas :

The Body Code: A Personalized Wellness and Weight-Loss Plan Based on Your Genetic Type Developed and Time-Tested at the World Famous Green Valley Spa by Jay Cooper, Kathryn Lance - Includes information on four different genetic types, four customized diet solutions, and one regimen from the energizing wellness guru and director of the acclaimed Green Valley Spa.

The Herbal Home Spa : Naturally Refreshing Wraps, Rubs, Lotions, Masks, Oils, and Scrubs by Greta Breedlove - Great book with more than 110 recipes and remedies for natural body care. Alternatives are provided for commercial skin, hair, and other care products.

Home Spa by Anne Harding, Janice Biehn - Terrific ideas for creating a spa in your own home.

The Home Spa Aromatherapy Massage Set by Bramley

Home Spa: Pamper Yourself from Head to Toe by Chrissie Painell

Home Spa : Recipes and Techniques to Revitalize by Manine Rosa Golden, Marsha Burns (Photographer), Ed Marquand - This book provides ways to look and feel better and to relax by using simple, natural ingredients to create inexpensive versions of the formulas and techniques used in luxurious spas. 74 color photos.

The Natural Beauty & Bath Book : Nature's Luxurious Recipes for Body & Skin Care by Casey Kellar, Leslie Dierks - Shows how to create natural beauty products at home with 80 color photos. For people who care about how they look, who like natural products, and who need a little pampering.

The Natural Beauty & Bath Kit by Casey Kellar - Includes book described above and accessories to make the products.

The Natural Beauty Kit : Simple Recipes for Healthy Skin, Beautiful Hair, and Vibrant Looks by Joanna Sheen - Features recipes and five key natural, additive-free ingredients for making your own natural cosmetics and skin and hair care products. Illustrated.

Natural Home Spa: Recreate the Luxurious Beauty Treatments of a Professional Spa in Your Own Home by Sian Rees - Recreate the luxurious and soothing spa treatments at home! Includes 10-minute pick-me-ups, thalassotherapy treatment, hands, legs, face, and shoulders massage, "rub and scrub" with loofahs, natural sponges, or mitts, a complete wrap, a facial, highlighting hair with organic colorants, and more.

Rituals for the Bath : From the Renaissance Women by Kathy Corey, Lynne Blackman, Nancy Palubniak (Contributor) - Inspirational quotes, aromatherapy formulas, and suggestions for personal rituals to encourage tranquillity accompany 58 easy, inexpensive recipes for bath products from natural ingredients.

The Royal Treatment: How You Can Take Home the Pleasures of the Great Luxury Spas by Steve Capellini - A Spa Guide Favorite! Renowned spa therapist Steve Capellini reveals the pampering secrets of the world's most exclusive spas and shows how you can practice them yourself easily at home. Read the Spa Guide's review.

The Secrets of the Spas: Pamper and Vitalize Yourself at Home by Catherine Bardey, Zeva Oelbaum (Photographer) - 75 spa treatment recipes for shampoos, conditioners, hand and feet care, finger nail strengthening. Includes list of over 100 spas around the world, 20 spa food and beverage recipes and a shopping guide.

The Spa Life at Home by Margaret Pierpont, Diane Tegmeyer, Jill Uris (Photographer) - A practical guide for everyday life showing how to reduce stress, stay fit, and live a balanced, healthier life based on the structure of a typical day at a spa. Lots of color photos.

The Tropical Spa by Sophie Benge, Luca Invernizzi Tettoni (Photographer) - Great photos, tips, and recipes for natural stress-relieving Asian therapies.

Water Magic : Healing Bath Recipes for the Body, Spirit, and Soul- by Mary Muryn - Based on principles of aromatherapy and homeopathic cures and comforts, these healing bath recipes are guaranteed to bring vitality and balance to the mind and body. Detailed instructions and advice.

The Wellness Center's Spa at Home by Kalia Doner, Margaret Doner, Dale Grust, Inc Wellness Center - A comprehensive guide to making your home a peaceful retreat which includes massage, facials, body wraps and shampoos, mediation, exercise, nutrition and menus.

Spa At Home Reference Library

Spa Secrets at Home - Spa secrets from the La Costa Resort and Spa, a winner of the Condé Nast's Readers' Choice Award for Top 10 Spa Resorts in 1998 and 1997. Includes special baths, diet, yoga tips and aromatherapy. 50 minutes long.