HOW TO CREATE A CALMING HOME SPA EXPERIENCE

Begin with a foot soak

This is a practice that has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine. Says Neha Ahuja, wellness expert, “Start your regimen with a foot soak. Use Epsom salts, lavender or chamomile and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. The feet are ‘super sites’ in the body with some of the highest nerve endings. They also have to endure a lot and have to be cleaned thoroughly. Thus, even a 15-minute soak helps reduce fatigue.”

Set the scene: Use dried flowers, candles and bath bombs

From rose and lemongrass incense sticks to green tea bath salts, let the fragrances bring about a sense of calm and tranquility. Aromatherapy candles are a must-have and they’re a delight. Go with ylang-ylang and vanilla that are known to be calming or orange, spearmint and eucalyptus that reduce stress. You could also relax with bath bombs. The round little balls that bubble away when wet, add a fizzy touch to the experience and make the skin soft and smooth.

Choose your essential oils
Add an essential oil to the scrub or use it in your diffuser. Each oil has its own properties — while lavender is calming, orange and bergamot lift the mood, peppermint is a de-stressor and rosemary reduces fatigue.

Oil massage
Abhyanga, a traditional form of healing, involves applying oil to the skin. Shares Neha, “You can try this at home. Blend 1gm of saffron with 100gms of sweet almond oil and add 5ml of lavender oil. Give yourself an Abhyanga massage by applying the oil starting from your feet with circular massage movements, finally reaching the chest and back. Let the oil soak for 15 minutes.”

Soak in a tub
A long soak in the tub will help you relax. Use herbs, essential oils and flowers that suit you. Add a bath bomb for some fizzy fun.

This is an easy to make, calming remedy. Combine Himalayan salt with Epsom salt in a glass bowl. Add a few drops of the lavender essential oil to it. You may also add a touch of chamomile or neroli. Using a wooden spoon, stir it well and allow it to stay that way in an airtight jar. Scoop out two spoons of the salt into your warm bath