Home / Life A spa day at home is possible, here’s 10 ways to make it happen Key ways to replenish from the inside out after baby is born. By Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis January 8, 2021 Rectangle Did you know that pampering yourself is the best way to recharge from nurturing others? The best part is, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars or hours of time away from your bundle of joy to do so. Your home is your sanctuary—the sacred place where you unwind and let go of the stressors of the outside world. With minimal effort, some of nature’s best ingredients and a vivid imagination, you can create the perfect spa day at home. Here’s how to have a perfect postpartum at-home spa day + must-haves to try: Step 1: Enjoy a cup of hot lemon water. Tension, stress and fatigue are your body’s way of letting you know it needs mental and physical rest. It’s good to first cleanse the body while prepping to relax and release. Beginning your pampering session by drinking a cup of hot lemon water or decaffeinated tea will give your insides a good ole’ fashioned rinsing. Must-have: MOTHERLY Mama Mug Step 2: Set the mood. Wear your favorite robe and turn on some music that sets a serene atmosphere. If reading is soothing to you, be sure to have some magazines or books nearby. And to add the perfect touch to your day of bliss, no bathroom is complete without a live plant or orchid and a perfectly folded towel. Must-have: The Sill marble queen pothos Step 3: Take a bath or shower. There are many ways to tailor your at-home spa. It could be giving yourself a DIY manicure, doing a facial or simply having a moment of total silence and peace just to yourself. I personally find that there’s something very spiritual about taking a bath and visualizing the hot water melting my worries away. Whatever you decide, make sure you have someone to watch after your little one and shut yourself out of the daily grind to allow uninterrupted “me-time.” Must-have: Belabumbum starlet robe in gray Step 4: Don’t forget about bath salts + essential oils. Epson salt is fairy dust for new moms. I sprinkle it in every bath as it not only relaxes aching joints and stiff muscles, but draws out toxins. You can also enliven your senses by putting essential oils in a diffuser or drops directly into the bathtub. My favorite essential oil for bathing and relaxation is lavender—it smells SO good and is a great oil to diffuse for added relaxation, especially before going to bed. Grapefruit oil is a wonderful energizer and mood enhancer. Must-have: Herbivore coconut milk bath soak Step 5: Detoxify + fancy it up. If you’re in search of a more detoxifying experience, add apple cider vinegar to the tub and if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some rose petals in your bathwater. Step 6: Moisturize. Coconut oil is one of nature’s finest ingredients. If you suffer from dry skin, it’s the perfect remedy for adding moisture and leaving you with dewy skin. Coconut oil also makes your skin supple enough to rub your own shoulders in between professional massages. Plus, it’s awesome for firming breast tissue and smoothing away stretch marks. Must-have: BEB organic nurturing oil Step 7: Do a facial. While your pores are open, after bathing in hot water, it’s time to apply your facial. A mixture of avocado and sea salt is a great mask for moisturizing and exfoliating at the same time. Honey, lemon, papaya, olive oil, tea bags and fennel are alternate ingredients that make for great DIY facials. You can also experiment with making your own eye crème by blending cucumber and Aloe Vera gel. Yet, in my opinion, the mask of all masks is pure bentonite clay mixed with apple cider vinegar. This mask has so many benefits it will leave you in awe. Step 8: Do it all in silence. While your facial is percolating, take some time to sit in silence, focus on your breathing and envision yourself happy and whole. If it’s hard to find a quiet corner in your home, put in your headphones and zone out to guided meditations on YouTube. Must-have: Sunday Citizen crystal meditation pillow Step 9: Stretch + hydrate. Culminate your hour of serenity by doing a few yoga poses or stretches, and replenish the fluids you lost in your warm bath by drinking coconut water. Must-have: Chaokoh coconut water Step 10: Close your eyes for a minute—or 10. When it’s all over, you can climb into your own bed and take a power nap. The best part about creating the perfect spa day at home is that you can tailor it to fit your growing needs. Carve out some time on your calendar weekly to create a sacred place to unwind. By activating your senses and enhancing your beauty from the inside out, you’ll come out looking and feeling like the glowing goddess that is you! The latest Motherly Stories I was at high risk for breast cancer. Here’s what I decided to do about it Motherly Stories Donating breast milk saves lives—and is easier than you might think Motherly Stories How a trip to Zimbabwe with my daughter led me on a mission of educating our girls to be the next generation of changemakers Child Learn & Play A love letter to children’s books