Spa Day at Home

Bonjour!

I’ve spent a lot of time at home over the last six months and had the pleasure of spending extra time with L’Husband and Le Chien. We are adjusting to our new home in Vermont and working from home. And despite the uncertainty and stress of the pandemic, we are trying to stay positive and also trying new things. I’m also doing more of what I love, such as taking baths and reading for pleasure.

In my previous posts about life during quarantine, I’ve shared pictures of Mon Chéri learning to bake, baby bunnies in the backyard, and flowers from the garden. Since I just spent a week of staycation in Vermont, I’m feeling recharged. Today’s post shares how I created a relaxant, restorative spa day chez moi.

A Spa Experience at Home

“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” – Hermann Hesse

One of my oldest friends, Ryan, who lives in Birmingham, Alabama, inspired this post on having a spa day at home. She sent a box of indulgent self-care goodies all the way to Vermont for mon anniversaire – including chocolate-covered almonds (mmm). She’s a gal after my own heart!

With my new spa accoutrements, I soaked in the tub, used face and eye masks, sipped tea, and nibbled almonds. You can readily find these items at Target, Walmart, or online, and don’t have to spend a lot to create a calm oasis at home for an afternoon or evening.

Spa time is as much about how you feel (present, calm, light) than what you do (bath, face mask, tea, candle, book). The pleasure principle, or le principe de plaisir, prioritizes activities that restore and nurture. For me, spa time is necessary for joyful living and for taking pleasure in simple activities.

Combating Le Stress

“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” – Mandy Hals

Because le stress is easy to come by these days, from the pandemic to the upcoming U.S. presidential election to systemic racism writ large in American society, relaxing and unwinding is more important than ever. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day to breathe deeply and reset your parasympathetic nervous system, to reflect on gratitude and cultivate optimism. And make sure to build in time each week to really unwind. If we can’t make space in our lives for self care and good habits now, when will we?

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, mais non! It’s essentiel. If you don’t feel good, you can’t do good. If you can’t do good, you can’t help make the America we want, need, deserve for ourselves and each other.

As I used to remind my students when I taught yoga, be gentle with yourself. No matter your age or gender, relaxation is for everyone. Soak in the tub. Try a new face mask. Do some yoga. Dab on some essential oils. Try new things and find out what works for you. There is no one right way to relax.

How would you create your own spa at home?

Merci for reading and please subscribe and share!

À votre santé,

Katie