The Art of Self-care While Staying at Home

Let’s face it, life can get hectic, and it’s safe to say we could all use a vacation now and then. But there are times we just can’t get away, or it may not be the best financial decision for you right now.

Good news! You can enjoy the same feelings of joy and relaxation all within the comfort of your home. Whether it’s a quick refresher, a couple hours or a full-day of “you time,” we have ideas to make home your relaxation destination.

Quick Ways to Press Restart

Looking for a quick refresher and something to get you feeling more like yourself? Here are some easy and satisfying ways to reboot in less than an hour.

Treat yourself to a bubble bath or face scrub. Stress and fatigue have a way of surfacing onto your skin. One way to combat this is soaking in a soothing bath. Baths are great for underneath your skin as well. Research shows (Opens in a new tab) bubble baths are good for strengthening muscle joints, balancing hormones, improving your lung capacity and oxygen intake and more.

Stress or anxiety can be especially harsh on your face. A face scrub can strip away clogged pores, leaving you soft and exfoliated skin. If you don’t have a facial scrub, don’t worry about it! You can make DIY facial scrubs (Opens in a new tab) out of organic and safe products in your home. We think the banana oatmeal scrub sounds the most soothing — and delicious.

Try aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses essential oils for therapeutic remedies. Some studies (Opens in a new tab) show essential oils can reduce stress, boost your mood and relieve headaches or migraines. Scents like lavender and frankincense are especially great for bringing your mind and body at ease.

Treat yourself to delivery or carry out. If you’re having a hectic day, the last thing you want to think about is making a meal that’ll please everyone in your household. Ordering in food can take one thing off your plate for the day. Plus, you’ll be helping out local businesses — talk about a win-win!

Take a virtual workout class. Online exercise classes can be a great way to try something you’ve never done before, and you can try it in confidence within your home. Never done Zumba before but always wanted to try? This is the perfect chance to diversify your workout routine and try something new!

Relaxation Remedies

If you have a couple of hours, like a Saturday afternoon, these are perfect for making the most of your time and treating yourself.

Add some greenery to your space. Tending to plants or your garden can be therapeutic. Not only does the activity of gardening calm you, but the plants themselves have benefits too. Plants help purify the air you breathe, which can help make you feel refreshed and give you the boost you need. Live in an apartment? No problem. Try out these tips for growing a garden in your apartment.

Pull out the oven mittens. Baking is a great way to spend time away from your emails or the T.V. Focusing your energy on detailed recipes is a meditative, calming task. Bonus: it’ll make your home smell delicious and instantly improve your mood. It’s safe to assume everyone in your household will support your relaxation method — as long as you’re okay with sharing your final product!

Reconnect with a friend. Sometimes, connecting with an old friend is what you need to get you in a better headspace. Plan a call with someone you miss. You could even do a virtual activity together like playing online trivia or board games!

Plan a themed movie night. A movie night is a perfect distraction from the stressors of the outside world. Escape into different worlds or places all from the comfort of your living room. The theme could be your favorite director, actor, movie genre — there are countless options. Whatever theme you choose, just don’t forget to stock up on your favorite theater snacks!

Plan a Full Staycation

A day of decompressing can do wonders for your mind and body. Give yourself a staycation and focus recharging! Whether it’s on the weekend or you decide to take the day off from work — it is a vacation after all — here are some ideas for a day of relaxation and fun.

Recreate a full spa day at home. Transform your home into the best spa in the neighborhood for a day of serenity. With soothing sounds of rushing water, crisp white robes, and water infused with citrus and herbs, it’ll start to feel like the real deal. Make sure to save some cucumbers to put over your eyes for face masks and a healthy midday snack.

Camping in the backyard. Enjoy some fresh air and connect with nature for the day — all in the comfort of your yard. Pitching a tent on the lawn and sleeping under the stars is an excellent mini-escape from the world. Whether it’s a romantic evening of stargazing with your partner, or a fun family affair roasting s'mores and telling stories, it’ll be a staycation your family won’t forget.

Create an at-home scavenger hunt. When the kiddos go to bed, place little trinkets around the house and yard for them to find. They’ll wake up the next morning to an adventure with maps and clues to find each hidden item. Once all the pieces are found, you can celebrate with a feast of pizza and cake or whatever your kiddos love. After all, all that exploring can make your little adventurers hungry!

Tips for Relaxing and Self-Care

Now that you’ve got your relaxation time planned, use these tips to avoid distractions, enjoy the time off and make the most of your well-deserved break from the real world:

Disconnect from social media. Even if you don’t completely power it down, at least put your phone on silent or turn off notifications. Even if you miss scrolling through your feed for a moment, in the long run, it will feel good to disconnect. You can snap photos of your relaxing day to share and inspire your network afterward, but try to live in the moment while you unwind.

Mix it up. We all have our go-to things that make us feel better — a walk in the park, your favorite snack, your happy playlist — but try to incorporate new relaxing tricks you’ve never tried before. You might find something that surprises you and becomes your new favorite feel-good hack.

Do what makes you happy. Seriously, do only what makes you happy! Of course, your clothes can’t stay in your laundry bin forever, but when you dedicate time to self-care, leave the rest for later. Stay dedicated to taking care of your well-being and choose happiness.

We all deserve to step away from our busy lives and treat ourselves to a refreshing day every now and then. It’s vital to our health and well-being! Remember to listen to your body, and when it comes time to relax, give yourself the break you need.