Making Mother’s Day special for you by creating a spa like experience in your home

It’s almost Mother’s Day which means homemade cards, gifts and maybe breakfast in bed. For some of us we might even get a day at the spa. I mean doesn’t a day at the spa sound amazing. But, when was the last time you went to the spa? Do you remember what it was like to take a whole day away? It can be hard as a mom to find time, money, and the energy to spend on ourselves but, for us moms small escapes can add up. I have found that when I plan in a few moments of relaxation to my day I am a better mom, wife, and friend. The calm in the middle of the chaos makes a big difference. Motherhood is messy, noisy, beautiful, chaotic and takes all we have, doesn’t it? We are celebrated on Mother’s Day and if we are lucky, we will get some time at the spa, but if not here are some ideas so that we can have that spa experience right at home in the middle of it all.  

My top 8 tips for soaking up the moment and creating a spa like experience

1. You know that smell when you first walk into a spa? That clean, fresh, and relaxing smell? The smell that tells us it is time to relax and unwind. Those smells can instantly change our mood and set the tone. We can set this same spa vibe at home with a few essentials like oils, candles, lotions, and air fresheners. One of the important things is to make sure that the smells don’t compete. Using smells that complement each other and help us relax are key to creating that spa feeling. Knowing what we love really matters. Most spas will use a lavender or eucalyptus scent to help us feel that sense of calm so these are a good place to start. Other smells to explore are jasmine, ylang-ylang, bergamot, chamomile, rose, lemon, rosemary, vanilla, peppermint, cinnamon, sandalwood, and frankincense. Creating a calm with coordinated smells in our lotions, candles, oils, and products will create an overall relaxing atmosphere. 
2. Tea is my passion and my daily pause. I love the smell, taste and the how it helps me slow down. You can’t drink a cup of tea fast, so it makes me stop for even just a moment. On days when I only have a moment to pause teatime gives me a moment to breath and calms me down. So, creating calm can be as simple as a cup of tea or coffee. Most spas offer tea and almost all spas offer spa water too. Hydration at a spa is important and a big part of the spa experience. Have you ever made spa water? In the summer I like to make a pitcher of spa water to stay hydrated. There are so many ways to make it, but the key is to keep it fresh. Some of my favorites are mint and cucumber, lavender, lime with blueberries and strawberries, rosemary with lemon and mint and any fruit infused water.  Fresh fruit, oils and herbs make it easy to create spa water at home and putting it in a beautiful glass pitcher will help with the mood as well. 
3. The little details are what makes a spa special. I like to heat up my towels wet in the microwave to put on the back of my neck while I soak in the tub. I often will use wet, hot towels to soothe tired feet after they have soaked in Epsom salts. And adding those essential oils to the towels helps as well. Heat is relaxing and will make a big difference from towels to even heating body lotion before applying. These little touches will go a long way for creating that spa vibe. 
4. Deep condition hair, put on a face mask and soak your feet. These are all small luxuries that can help us escape. A deep lip conditioner and even extra soaking of hands and feet are good touches. Covering hands with a deep lotion and wrapping them will leave them refreshed. And starting with a good exfoliation before hydration also helps us feel pampered and renewed. 
5. High quality towels, robes and slippers will make your home spa even more luxurious. Have a set of towels, washcloths, slippers, and robe that is only used for spa days. Get the best quality and keep them fresh and launder them with lavender. Adding a spa mask and special soaps, lotions and candles only used for spa day will instantly create that spa like atmosphere. 
6. Lighting is a big part of spa day and softer light can calm us instantly. Think about changing the bulbs to a rose color or turn off the lights and only use candlelight. A candle can change the mood in an instant and softens the room and will create a relaxing glow and smell. 
7. Bath time is a great way to get away. Using Epsom salts, bath bombs and candles to light the room will set the mood. Taking a bath is a great escape and a wonderful way to feel pampered and refreshed. 
8. The final step to spa day is to always remember a few of your favorite things. For me, one of the things I love about the spa is the chance to slow down and just soak up the silence. I like to use this time to catch up on reading a good book, journaling or just listening to a good podcast. I have a bookshelf dedicated to books that I love to read poolside or when I am relaxing. They are easy reads that I can escape into and the perfect read for relaxing. I also have a basket next to my bath with journals and pens and books that I love to grab when I can escape to the bath for a moment. There is something special about a few moments of escape and I find that reading and journaling are a great way to escape. You could also have a doodle art book with colored pencils or use this time to catch up on your favorite podcast. The spa is just so much sweeter with a few of our favorite things. 

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As CEO for Inspirational Inc. and founder of “Tea With Chantel” trainings & workshops, Chantel Mathson inspires women to live with purpose and build thriving community. She has traveled all over the U.S. and Canada, speaking and inspiring others to become impact makers. Chantel has been a featured speaker at NASA Space Center, The University of Notre Dame and numerous national conferences. She is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, blogger, bible teacher, military spouse mentor, author, and professor of communications. Chantel shares her heart and home with her husband, three kids and two dogs in California. As a Military spouse she has moved twelve times and has a heart for helping military wives connect, find their purpose, and create community. Her Tea with Chantel business evolved as she moved across the country and had to create new community herself. She is always ready to share a cup of tea and would love to connect…  FB/Twitter/Linkedin/IG @teawithchantel or Instagram.com/teawithmilitarywives and teawithchantel.com