Calming steam gently opening up your pores. Gentle scents soothing your soul. Soft lights leading you toward deep relaxation. The serene feeling that you have no cares in the world. These are all hopefully moments you experience at a spa. However, what if you could bring them into the comfort of your own home? 

What Are the Benefits of a Spa-Like Experience?

 

Sure, you may like visiting the spa, but did you know that it comes with tangible benefits ranging from improved mental health to long-term higher levels of wellbeing and physical health? Beyond the obvious pleasure associated with spending your day relaxing in a spa, there are actual scientifically-proven benefits to visiting the spa. In 2008, German researchers found a correlation between spa visits and a statistically significant reduction in hospitalizations and other measures of health. However, they raised the point that the cost of regular spa visits prevented many people from participating in this sort of preventive healthcare. Enter the at-home spa. With just a few upgrades to your bathroom, you can relax comfortably in your own bathtub or shower without paying the expensive fees of a conventional spa. 

What Are the Components of a Spa?

To effectively install a spa-like experience in your home shower, it's important to consider what makes a spa a spa. As you read through this list, think about what stands out to you as the most personally relaxing; these are the components you'll want to prioritize in your own space for maximum self-care and health benefits. 

Lighting:

Spas almost always feature calm, soothing lighting rather than harsh, bright fixtures. 

Scent:

While they aren't usually overpowering, spas nearly always have some sort of relaxing fragrance wafting through the area. In many cases, it's something like lavender or eucalyptus, both of which have been shown to have calming compounds to relax the brain. 

Luxury:

It's rare to find a spa that doesn't offer plush towels, fancy soap, high-quality products, and a generous tub or shower along with accessories to make the experience as perfect as can be. After all, it's their job to make the experience as lavish and relaxing as possible. 

Atmosphere:

Spas are meant to be calming places, not hubs of activity. You'll usually find all the other features combine to create a haven of rest rather than a buzz of adrenaline. This can be accomplished through soft, calm music or perhaps a sweet silence, punctuated by the lapping of the water and the gentle touch of scented soap. The atmosphere is also established through the decor; while all spas are unique, most rely on a light, uncluttered motif, often with plenty of natural light and greenery included, from plants indoors to impressive outdoor views. 

How Can I Replicate These Components at Home?

The good news is that there are several simple ways to bring these spa characteristics into your own home, and they don't need to include an entire bathroom renovation! Let's walk through each of the aforementioned qualities of spas and adjust these characteristics to fit into your shower space.

Lighting:

Many bathrooms are rather harsh and fluorescent thanks to the rise of white-LED lights. However, you may be able to find a more soothing lighting option by simply switching out your white LED bulbs for a warmer hue of light. Yellow light has been shown to be more relaxing and better for your Circadian rhythm, so go ahead and make that switch if you can! The goal is to have a calm and welcoming lighting experience.

Additionally, many bathrooms offer dimmers and other options to adjust the intensity of light and you can use these to your advantage as well! If you have a window in the room, you may also want to look into incorporating more natural light into your bathroom with translucent curtains or other light-friendly options. 

Scent:

The smell of a bathroom is what can make or break a relaxing experience. One of the most critical senses for relaxation, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your bathroom smells clean, fresh, and calming. 

Consider purchasing a eucalyptus bundle to hang over your showerhead. Not only will it contribute to a pleasant fragrance in the room, it will also elevate your visual aesthetic. You can also experiment with different fragrances for your bundles, from lavender to rosemary to myrtle to a combination pack. As you shower or bathe, the steam will cause the leaves to diffuse their calming aromas and establish a spa-like scent for your experience.

Scented soap is another option that is guaranteed to contribute a pleasing aroma to your at-home spa experience. Along with essential oils, it provides an easily accessible option to make your nose feel like it's at the fanciest of spas. Candles can also offer a pleasing scent and there are nearly infinite options that you can choose based on personal preference. 

Finally, consider shower steamers for an extra pop of scent that you can add just for your special spa time. Simply place the rounded shower steamer in the floor of your shower and enjoy the minty scent that will fill the air after you turn on the water! 

Luxury: 

This is where things can get pricey if you aren't careful. Yes, spas tend to offer only the best in terms of products, tubs/showers, and towels, but that doesn't mean that you need to buy everything new. Instead, think about what it is that appeals to you most about a spa and determine how you can bring that component into your space.

For example, if you dream of the plush, luxurious towels at the spa, consider investing in a set of especially soft and plush towels for your own spa nights. Or, if your showerhead annoys you to no end with its lack of water pressure, take some time to see if you can fix it or replace it with one that makes you feel like royalty. Luxury is often best in small doses so you can best appreciate it and one of the perks of designing your own home-spa is that you can pick and choose where to allocate your resources based on your own priorities. 

Atmosphere:

A simple way to make your bathroom feel more spa-like is to declutter it. If you have 37 items haphazardly strewn across the bathroom counter, it isn't going to feel relaxing or spa-like in the slightest. The same goes for inside your shower. This isn't to say that you should be a minimalist, but it will go a long way if you can keep your excess to a minimum and your basic items organized. 

Another idea for your bathroom is to add more plant life. Plants have been shown to be stress-reducing and they add a green beauty to the space that cold products and furniture can't compete with. 

What Extras Can I Add to Bring Self-Care Practices Into My Shower?

If you've implemented the above tips into your shower, you're well on your way to your ideal at-home spa shower experience. Nevertheless, there are always a few extras you can add to further personalize your spa time at home. 

A large portion of self-care is about getting to know and becoming comfortable with yourself. For many people, this process can be helped by shower affirmation cards: cards with encouraging affirmations that easily adhere to tile of showers, bathroom mirrors, and more. After all, what better way to take care of yourself mentally than to remind yourself how strong, capable, and blessed you are? This also adds a personalized element that is difficult to find in a commercial spa. 

Finally, you may want to treat yourself to a spa experience bundle! This incredible option includes all the at-home spa essentials: an aromatic sampler bundle for your showerhead, shower steamers, and self-care affirmation cards to bring health and relaxation to your mind, body, and spirit. 

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While a visit to the spa is always a fun treat, you don't need to leave home and spend tons of money to take good care of yourself; you can enjoy a spa experience from the comfort of your own shower with just a few simple upgrades! At Self-Care Shower, we are committed to elevating your shower experience with our vast array of sustainable, locally-sourced products. We wish you a summer full of self-care and spa days!

Image Sources:

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Self-Care Shower Stock Photo

Self-Care Shower Stock Photo

Self-Care Shower Stock Photo

Self-Care Shower Stock Photo