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Create a Home Spa Experience


Calm your mind, soothe your nerves, and pamper your body--because you deserve it!

by Janice Hughes, Share Guide Publisher



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Many of us are guilty of not taking time for ourselves. Whether it’s because of work, children, or some other responsibility, we rarely stop and rest unless we are on vacation. That’s why the day spa industry has done so well; visiting a spa is a wonderful way to rejuvenate yourself, and you don’t have to travel far or take days off work. But the costs of a spa treatment are pretty high, and not everyone can afford it or will justify the expense.
    So why not create a home spa experience? You’d be surprised at how easy it is to do--all you need is a bathtub. (It’s even better if you have a jacuzzi and/or a sauna in your home, but we’re not all that fortunate.)   
    Most likely the hardest part is taking this idea past the thinking-about-it stage and actually implementing it. That means setting aside the time, and getting the house to yourself (or at least letting everyone who lives with you know to give you a couple of hours of peace). You’ll need to assemble a few supplies, such as candles, soft music, essential oils, and sliced cucumbers (to place over your eyes).
    Starting your home spa experience with a massage would be ideal. It helps if you have a personal friend who practices massage therapy, but you can also practice self-massage or use a variety of massage tools on yourself. Simple self-massage strokes help ease the eyestrain, stiff hands, and repetitive strain injury that can follow long hours working at the computer.
    Set up your “spa area” in a way similar to the front cover of this magazine. Light some candles, put on some soft music, and start the bath running. You might even pour yourself a glass of wine, or a more healthy drink such as ice water with lemon and mint. Get out a soft, fluffy robe to put on afterwards, and plenty of nice towels. Put a dish of sliced cucumbers next to the tub. You might think it’s silly until you try it--it’s extremely soothing and reduces puffiness around the eyes. Lastly, you’ll want a cushion for your neck. If you don’t have one of those inflatable pillows made for tubs, a rolled up towel will work pretty well.
    Now it’s time to ready your bath. One option is to create an herbal bath (see facing page). My first choice is to use essential oils, which have many relaxing and restorative qualities, as well as glorious scents. Adding them to a bath can do wonders for you. Here are a few of my favorites.

Essential Oils for Bathing
Janice Hughes is the editor of The Share Guide and a great lover of spas, bodycare products, and essential oils. For resources to create your home spa experience, flip through this issue or visit www.shareguide.com.Janice Hughes is the editor of The Share Guide and a great lover of spas, bodycare products, and essential oils. For resources to create your home spa experience, flip through this issue or visit www.shareguide.com.Janice Hughes is the editor of The Share Guide and a great lover of spas, bodycare products, and essential oils. For resources to create your home spa experience, flip through this issue or visit www.shareguide.com.Janice Hughes is the editor of The Share Guide and a great lover of spas, bodycare products, and essential oils. For resources to create your home spa experience, flip through this issue or visit www.shareguide.com.Janice Hughes is the editor of The Share Guide and a great lover of spas, bodycare products, and essential oils. For resources to create your home spa experience, flip through this issue or visit www.shareguide.com.Chamomile - a gentle oil with a powerful aroma. It’s great for stress relief, muscle aches, and irritated skin.

Neroli - with a sweet, intense aroma, neroli has long been a classic remedy for stress. It helps to combat depression, relax the mind, and soothe the nervous system.

Bergamot - this delicious smelling essential oil is great for creating a more relaxed and happy feeling, relieving urinary tract infections, and fighting oily skin, acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.

Geranium - this oil has a sweet, floral aroma that resembles rose. It is said to have a calming effect on both emotional and physical conditions.

Lavender - this oil has a distinct and wonderful floral scent. It combats stress and crisis, while the antiseptic properties help with cold, flu, and other ailments.

Frankincense - this oil has a wonderfully calming effect on the mind and helps to create inner peace, while helping to soothe the respiratory and urinary tract and relieve pain associated with rheumatism and muscular aches.

Orange - creates a feeling of happiness and warmth, while calming nervous digestive problems. Orange also helps with colds and flu, and eliminating toxins.

Clary sage - although expensive, clary sage oil is great for easing depression and nervous burn-out. It’s also recommended by practitioners for a host of female complaints and for relieving congested complexions.

Lemon - this clean smelling citrus essential oil is not only good for helping you make decisions and improving concentration, but it also cuts down on acidity in the body.

Peppermint - refreshing and cooling, this oil is a highly effective mental stimulant. It also reduces skin redness and calms skin irritation and itchiness.
    During or after your herbal bath, try doing a mini facial with a good quality mask, toner, and moisturizer. There are lots of great bodycare products available that are made with strictly natural ingredients--several of them featured in this magazine.
    After you get out of your bath, don’t just rush back to your normal routine. Try doing 15-20 minutes of gentle stretching or yoga. It’s a great time for this because your muscles will be relaxed and pliant from the bath.
    Next consider a short meditation session, or follow along with a guided meditation CD. It’s important to allow yourself time to transition back to your normal day. Why not follow up by making yourself a nice, healthy spa-style meal? If you have the time, I’m envisioning a green salad with lots of raw veggies, a piece of salmon, and a glass of fresh vegetable juice. If you don’t like to cook, buy something already prepared and have it on hand to complete your day of pampering.


Janice Hughes is the editor of The Share Guide and a great lover of spas, bodycare products, and essential oils. For resources to create your home spa experience, explore www.shareguide.com. 

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