Just switch off and reduce the stress level – especially in hectic times we sometimes wish for nothing more than to completely have relaxation and hide the whole world. And where better to do that than in your own four walls? Exactly!
You rush from one appointment to the next, constantly someone wants something from you and the thought carousel does not stop to circle even at night? Then all alarm bells scream for a “Me Time” – a time out all for you alone. Even according to studies, we are less and less able to treat ourselves to a time-out. This is the result of the “Wellness Trends 2016”, which the hotel cooperation Wellness-Hotels & Resorts created together with the wellness travel organiser Beauty24. However, around 82 per cent think such time-out is enormously important. Time to tackle the project directly and follow these ten steps:
Step 1: Foot bath
They carry us reliably through our hectic lives every day and yet they are always neglected in our care: the feet. That’s changing now, because a footbath not only makes our feet soft and velvety, it also catapults us from 0 to 100 into relaxation mode. Or would they stand up in between to do something? That’s how it works: Simply add 4 to 5 drops of essential oil such as lavender (e.g. from Primavera) to about 38 degrees warm water and get in for 10 minutes. Or in summer to cool down: Put 100 g salt in a bowl with cold water and mash properly.
Step 2: Peeling
Put the old skin flakes down! That can be quite liberating. Imagine you rub away old things with them – similar to cutting your hair. Apply a peeling to both face and body and massage in gently in circular movements. Enzyme peelings (e.g. from Maria Galland) or fruit acid peelings (e.g. from Amala), which gently dissolve skin flakes, are ideal for the face. On the body you can rely on a mechanical peeling with scratch grains (e.g. from Susanne Kaufmann).
Step 3: Face mask
After the peeling, the skin on the face is particularly receptive to a face mask. Either take one of the new fleece masks soaked with active ingredients (e.g. from Missha) or grab the crucible and gently apply a ready-made mixture (e.g. from Skinceuticals) to the face. You belong to the type “do handicrafts, paint and relax yourself”? Then why don’t you touch a mask yourself? Just chop half an avocado, mix with a tablespoon of yogurt and put it on your face. Or in summer, crush some watermelon and apply. The following applies to all masks: after 15 minutes they should be washed off without leaving any residue.
Step 4: Pimp hair
What applies to the face also applies to the hair. Did you know that stress can also be seen on the hair? A hair analysis by Elizabeta Zefi dedicated to Beauty, for example, proves this. That’s why you should first clean it of all the old impurities, clean it thoroughly (e.g. with the brand’s detox serum) and then add a restorative care product. Finally twist into a bun and pin it with a claw clip…
Step 5: Bathtub
…and hop in the bathtub. Because the 15 minutes of exposure time correspond exactly to the time you should spend in the bathtub. Important: Make sure that the water is not too warm, otherwise it will damage the skin. Optimal for relaxation and for the skin cells are about 38 degrees. Melissa (e.g. from Kneipp) or lavender additives have a relaxing effect – on muscles and soul.
Step 6: Changing shower
Sebastian Kneipp knew how to get the immune system, the skin and the soul up to speed at the same time more than a hundred years ago. Namely with cold water! Yes, you have to go through that now! After a warm bath, take the shower in your hand and rinse your whole body once with cold water. Start with the legs from bottom to top in circular movements, then continue with the arms and finally upper body, back and head. Sounds hard, but when it’s over, you feel like you’ve been reborn.
Step 7: Care for your body
After the alternating bath, the skin is well supplied with blood and can absorb care optimally. Body lotion should therefore be applied directly after the bath and massaged in with your hands in a circular motion. However, you can also use small cupping capsules (e.g. from Amazon), which also reach the subcutaneous tissue. This is as beneficial as a small professional massage. It becomes even more relaxing when the oil or lotion has an aromatic scent such as lemon (e.g. from Weleda).
Step 8: Rest
After bathing and applying cream you should take it slowly – and first rest on the couch. Otherwise the circulation will be overstrained. Snuggle up in a bathrobe or lie down on the balcony in summer (fresh air is all the better). And important: don’t think of anything! If this is difficult for you, quickly continue to Step 9.
Step 9: Eye mask
In the thousands of years old Ayurveda doctrine there is a treatment in which a warm ghee (Indian butter) is poured into the eyes. The patient should then keep his eyes closed for two hours and let them rest. Of course, you should not put butter in your eyes now, but put on an eye mask or cucumber slices for a while. How long can you stand it?
Step 10: Pamper your hands and feet
Last but not least, a little home break is the perfect way to take care of your hands and feet. Especially practical are ready-made masks, where gloves and socks are soaked with care substances (e.g. from Balea) and you only have to slip in. But you can also apply hand or foot cream thickly and slip into gloves or socks. You can round off the Home Spa programme with our tips in the box!