Experience Homemade Spa Bliss

Give your body, mind, and spirit the ultimate spa experience by following these four steps.

Step 1 – Create the mood.

Atmosphere is important.  Light a few scented candles (lavender, ylang-ylang, and rose are all soothing) about 10 minutes before you’re ready to bathe, and let their fragrance fill the room.  Then fill the tub with warm water. (Temperatures of 92°F to 100°F are best; over-hot baths are energy sapping and dry the skin because they wash away too much natural sebum, which helps hold moisture.)  Finally, unplug the telephone and put your cell phone in silent mode so you won’t be disturbed.

Step 2 – Pour in the fragrance.

Add essential oils like lavender (about 20 drops) to your bath; its complex chemical composition promotes sleep-inducing alpha waves.  Alternatively, dried chamomile (about 2 ounces tied inside a piece of cheesecloth or muslin) can also help to soothe frazzled nerves.  Chamomile contains azulene, anti-inflammatory oil that’s known for its tension-relieving and headache-banishing properties.

Step 3 – Add the soothing extras.

Take the de-stressing process one step further by including therapeutic ingredients in your bath.  Sea salt, for example, draws out lactic acid from your muscles, helping to ease away aches, pain, and stiffness.  Adding evaporated milk and honey to tub water not only moisturizes skin but produces a soft, relaxing scent.

Step 4 – Turn on the music.

Classical music pieces whose rhythm matches your resting heartbeat (70 to 80 beats per minute) work well to ease stress because, as you listen, your breathing and heartbeat become synchronized to the music.  This helps to lower blood pressure and make you feel calm and serene.  A few favorite classical selections include:  Debussy’s “Afternoon of a Fawn” or “La Mer” and Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.”