The expert’s guide to creating a spa at home

Whether you have limited time or limited funds – or both – a day at the spa can be a rare treat. But bringing that relaxing spa experience to you is easier than you think with a little knowhow. Here, wellbeing expert Abby Samuel, spa manager at the Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada reveals how it’s done…

Choose your space 

Pick a clean, quiet room and turn the lights down so it’s dimly lit. LED lights might be a bit too bright for a spa environment unless they’re on a dimmer switch, so try finding ‘yellow’ or ‘warm’ lighting for your spa experience at home, or just use some candles. Play calming music – searching for ‘spa music’ on Spotify will bring up lots of soothing song ideas. 

Soothing scents 

Use your favourite scented candles or oil diffuser as smelling something uplifting and familiar will automatically lift your spirits. If you don’t have a diffuser, don’t panic – you can use essential oil in warm water in a bowl so the aroma can fill the room. Look for essential oils that aid in relaxation such as peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender. Your favourite freshly picked flowers in a vase would work too.

Water play 

Fill your bathtub, basin or even a bowl with warm water, epsom salt, essential oil and a few drops of fragranced shower gel. Submerge either fully or partially – hands, feet etc – and let the water washing over you help you to relax and relieve body aches. Place elements of nature in the water, like pebbles and bamboo, as this works as a relaxation trigger for some. 

DIY massage

Massages are one of the most effective ways to relieve stress, get rid of toxins and help with achy joints and muscles. As most people tend to store their tension in their neck and shoulders, it’s a good place to try a DIY massage.

1 Using your thumbs, roll your thumbs in a circular motion around the scapula. Follow this with some tapotement movement like hacking, pounding and cupping to stimulate the nerve endings and release tension. 

2 Using your thumbs, stroke down the back of the neck, then push gently on your pressure points at your temples and at the corner of your eyes, on either side of your nose. 

3 Don’t forget your scalp. Take a scalp massager or fingers and work in circular motions around the head. This can help destress.

*Rooms at Spice Island Beach Resort cost from £734 per night

*British Airways flights to Grenada start from £522pp economy return, flights operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays with a stop in St Lucia

*For more information on what to do in Grenada, visit Pure Grenada