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Stress and anxiety have become an unfortunate reality for many of us in recent times. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to disrupt our daily lives, it’s important to find ways to soothe the mind and promote relaxation.
Luckily, you don’t have to leave your home to enjoy the benefits of a spa day. With a few simple changes to your bathroom routine, you can transform your space into a sanctuary for the mind, body, and soul. Here are 7 tips from spa experts that will help you get started:
- Embrace the Power of Water – Holly Glynn, Spa Manager at The Spa at Ardencote, suggests that being close to water can help reduce stress and anxiety. Even the sound of running water can be beneficial, so make a conscious effort to relax and listen to the sound while taking a bath. Holly explains, “Bath salts which contain minerals will mimic the natural elements of sea water, so use these when you can for a similar wellbeing boost”
- Experiment with Temperature – Carly Boothroyd, Operations Manager at Titanic Spa, suggests utilising the steam from your shower or bath to enhance the wellbeing experience. Breathing in the vapour is a great way to destress, and the perfect opportunity for your skin to absorb products. She adds, “For another layer of indulgence, you could use Rasul mud on the skin to allow the product to deeply penetrate the pores and draw out any impurities, ensuring you’re getting the best at home spa experience possible.”
- Aromatherapy for the Mind – Kate Lake, Spa Manager at The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel, suggests incorporating aromatherapy into your bathroom routine to heal the mind. The sense of smell is powerful and can affect our emotions. Choose an essential oil that suits your desired outcome. Kate’s tip, “Pick up some fresh lavender when you’re next out or invest in some eucalyptus leaves that you can tie around your shower head. The steam from the shower or bath will carry the drift of the aromas to create a natural scent throughout the bathroom and help you reap the benefits.”
- Cold Water Swimming – Lorela Movileanu, Spa Director at Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, suggests turning your shower to the coldest setting for the last few minutes of your routine. This will invigorate the body, improve circulation, and reduce stress hormones. Lorela says, “The trend for cold water swimming has grown significantly during previous lockdowns, particularly on our own doorstep, in the beautiful Lake District. Whilst you may not have a local lake you can swim in, you can still achieve some of the same health benefits from the comfort of your own home. By turning your shower to the coldest setting for the last few minutes of your routine you will wake up the body, invigorate the skin and improve your circulation, which in turn can result in a strengthened immune system and reduction in stress hormones within the body. For best results, try to do these two to three times per week. For the fantastic health benefits, it is well worth feeling the chill!”
- Bring the Outdoors In – Jess Mellors, General Manager at The Spa at the Manor House, suggests bringing the benefits of nature into your bathroom. House plants can improve air quality, fight off bacteria, and give you a boost of energy. Jess tells us, ““When it comes to your bathroom, make sure that you’re bringing the outside in. Nature has plenty of fantastic benefits to our health from improving air quality to fighting off any lingering bacteria – that’s why our spa garden is based on a classic English Country garden! Studies have also found that house plants can give you a boost of energy! Many people don’t think about putting plants inside the bathroom, but the moist and warm environment is not only perfect for the health of the plant but will also do wonders for your health too. A plant like a fern will thrive in the bathroom”
- Relaxing Soundscapes – Penny Weston, Director at Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat and MADE Wellness Centre, suggests listening to a relaxing playlist or podcast while taking a bath. This will help you switch off and enjoy your peaceful sanctuary. Penny suggests, “When taking a relaxing bath, it is not just the products we use that matter, but the whole experience. To help soothe the mind further, listen to a relaxing playlist or podcast. This could be anything from meditation, calming music to the latest podcast from your favourite content creator. Having tailored your listening to suit you and your needs, this will ensure the right type of ambience and help you to switch off and enjoy your peaceful sanctuary”
- Magnesium for Relaxation – Penny Hamilton, Co-Founder of Westlab and Salt Specialist, suggests using magnesium-rich products in your bath to promote relaxation. Magnesium plays an essential role in the production of serotonin (the happy hormone), the regulation of melatonin (the sleep hormone), and the reduction of cortisol (the stress hormone). “If you want a spa bathing experience then magnesium has an incredible calming effect on the body. It is known to be linked directly to stress, meaning when the body is deficient or low on magnesium, it increases adrenalin levels allowing individuals to feel more anxious or worried. Magnesium is vital in supporting relaxation as it plays an essential role in the production of Serotonin (the happy hormone), the regulation of Melatonin (the sleep hormone) and the reduction of Cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body.”
There are many simple and affordable ways to transform your home or bathroom into a relaxing spa experience. By incorporating these tips into your routine, it is possible to create a peaceful sanctuary in the comfort of your own home and reduce the stress and anxiety caused by the current challenges we are facing.
Photograph by: Daniel Faro
Disclaimer: The links to spas in this post are for informational purposes only and are not sponsored or endorsed by Mental Movement Magazine. We do not receive any compensation for mentioning the spas in this article. We encourage you to do your own research and make informed decisions.
