For total mind and body relaxation and a dose of inner reflection, there's nothing quite like pampering yourself for a weekend at your favorite spa… but not everyone has the time to drop everything and go. The good news is, with a little creativity you can easily create your own at-home spa experience. Whether your at-home spa experience is aimed at lowering your stress level or simply improving your quality of life by creating some "me time," bringing positive energy into your living space can help bring on greater financial, spiritual and emotional success. And what could be more positive than creating your own spa?
To begin your spa experience, start by removing all clutter from your house. Easier said than done, right? Try making a weekend out of it. Buy some additional storage units and get to work. Once you discover the amount of space you've created, you'll already start feeling the stress melt away. You might also want to rearrange some furniture to create a better flow. To tell if there's good flow, imagine opening your front door and having a large amount of water rush in to fill your home. Does the water get stuck in certain places and stagnate, or does it evenly disperse throughout your space and leave everything refreshed?
Incorporate the five elements of Feng Shui to truly reveal its power:
Wood promotes creative energy and motivation. If you have furniture made of wood, you're all set. If not, try finding a piece of art made of wood.
Fire is thought to be the most powerful element in the Feng Shui family and represents passion. Keep a few candles around and light them regularly to let the effects seep into your living space.
Earth can be represented by stones or crystals and creates a sense of stability and permanence. Place a glass bowl full of stones or a beautiful piece of crystal on a coffee table for accent. Place the arrangement in an area with lots of activity for the full effect.
Metal conducts heat and energy, so metal in your home helps generate attention and transmit energy to a certain area. Metal picture frames can do the trick. Just don't use too much metal in a space because it can attract too much attention and create negative vibes.
Water signals networking and professional opportunities. Purchase a trickling fountain and let the soothing sounds of falling water bring you to a new era of success.
Of all the five senses, scent is the most enduring. It can transform the way we feel and heal our bodies. By closing your eyes and concentrating, scents can even take our minds to another place and time. Incorporating different aromas into your living space will help transform your home into the spa you've always wanted.
Different scents can lead to different mentalities. Opening your mind to the aromatherapy experience can help you balance, relax or even get in a romantic mood. For instance, the scents of jasmine and lavender can give you a much-needed boost of confidence and energy when you feel depressed. Feeling overwhelmed and stressed out by a tight deadline at work? Let the scents of cedarwood or bergamot calm your nerves. We all have bad days, so when nothing seems to be going right, surround yourself with the smell of chamomile to ease your anxiety. Taking the time to relax and slowly sip a nice cup of hot chamomile tea could be just the thing to transform your frame of mind. When you've reached a point of relaxation and are ready to face the world, scents like sandalwood or frankincense can help you achieve a more social mind-set.
Try these easy self-massage techniques to release all the tension of the day and discover a newer, more relaxed you:
- Scalp Massage — Start with your thumbs behind your ears and fingers spread out on top of your head. Make little circles that move your scalp back and forth for about 20 seconds.
- Eye Massage — Close your eyes and place your ring fingers near the bridge of your nose, just under your eyebrows. Slowly increase pressure for about 10 seconds then gently release. Repeat a couple of times for maximum effect.
- Sinus Massage — Begin with your fingertips at the bridge of your nose. Slowly slide your fingers down and across to the top of your cheekbones and right next to your eyes.
- Shoulder Massage — Reach one arm across the front of your body to your other shoulder. Using a circular motion, press firmly on the muscle right above your shoulder blade. Then try moving your circular motion closer to your neck. Repeat on the other side.
Creating your own experience at home is about more than just pampering yourself. Taking a break from your hectic day and letting go of life's constant demands can help you discover a whole new you.
