Pet & Animal: How to Devote a Day to Relaxing and Pampering Yourself at Home

Everyone needs a day off once in a while. You just want to relax and rejuvenate, and all you need to do is make a few preparations ahead of time. From a spa day to just vegging out, choose what you think will make you the most relaxed.

EditSteps

EditPreparing for the Day

Clear your schedule. Obviously, you don't want to have to run to the dentist during your relaxation day. Move any appointments you have that day. That way, the day is wide open.
Let everyone know you're not available. Take the day off from work if it's a week day, and create an "Out of Office" message for your email to let people know you'll be back tomorrow. Tell friends and family you won't be around much that day, unless you want to pamper yourself with some friends around, which can be fun, too.
- How you take the day off is up to you. You may want to schedule it a couple of weeks in advance and use one of you paid vacation days. However, you can also take a sick day as a mental health day, if your boss is amenable to that idea.^[1]
Turn your phone on emergency only. Many smartphones have an option to only let certain calls through (from your close friends and family) or to only let calls through from people who've called multiple times (like people do when it's an emergency). Try putting your phone on one of these settings so people can't get a hold of you unless they really need you.
Take a moment to clear your head. At the start of the day, you need to make sure you're in a good head space to relax. That means letting go of your worries. One way to de-stress is to take a moment to do some deep breathing.^[2]
- Try closing your eyes and focusing all your attention on your breathing. Breathe in slowly, counting to four before breathing out. As you breathe out, you should also count to four. Make sure you are breathing deeply, from your diaphragm. Keep your attention on your breathing until you feel your stress melting away.
Close the screens down. Of course, you may want to watch television or a movie on a relaxing day. However, try turning off your other technology, such as your laptop and tablet. When you're on technology, you have access to your email. If you can get on your email, you have the potential to stress yourself out. In addition, you will also be able to view things like the news, which may let stress intrude on your day. Try taking a break from the internet just for today.^[3]
Skip the clocks. If possible, turn off or cover all your clocks. Spend your day away from a schedule. Just enjoy the day at leisure, doing what you want when you want.^[4]
- Don't hold yourself to a plan. If you decide ahead of time that you want to work in the garden but you really don't feel like it when the day rolls around, don't worry about it. Just do what your heart desires.^[5]
Choose some good music. It doesn't really matter what it is, as long as it puts you in a good mood. Let it play in the background while you're going about your day.^[6]
Choose your main focus for the day. Decide how you want to spend the majority of the day. You can have a spa day and pamper yourself through spa treatments. Alternatively, you can have a veg-out day, where you just watch your favorite movies and eat your favorite snacks. Just pick what you most feel like doing and what will relax you the most.

EditCreating a Spa Day

Take a bath. The warm water will help relax your muscles, as you let your cares drift away. You can even add a bath bomb or two to help pamper your skin while you're soaking.^[7]
- Try lighting some candles in your bathroom to create a soothing ambiance.^[8]
Apply a face mask. A face mask can be relaxing in and of itself, but it will also make your skin feel nice. The easiest solution is to use a store-bought version. However, you can also make a simple face mask at home with a few ingredients. Mash up a couple of strawberries. Add a dollop of both honey and plain yogurt. Mix the ingredients together, and apply it to your face. Wash it off after 15 minutes.^[9]
- For store-bought versions, follow the directions on the bottle for how long you should leave it on.
Try a hot oil hair treatment. This treatment can relax you just because it feels soothing on your head. In addition, it will also help moisturize and rejuvenate your hair. Afterwards, your hair will be silkier and shinier.^[10]
- To create a hot oil treatment, simply pour a little olive oil in a small bowl, a couple of tablespoons or so. Add a dollop of coconut oil and a tablespoon or two of honey. Heat it up in the microwave for about 15 seconds, but don't let it overheat. Mix the ingredients together.^[11]
- Use a pastry brush to apply the mixture to your hair from roots to tips. Tuck your hair into a shower cap, or wrap it in plastic wrap. Leave it on for several hours, if possible, then wash it out.^[12]
- You don't need all three ingredients if you don't have them. You can just use one of the oils (without honey) if that's all you have.
Make a sugar scrub. Sugar scrubs are easy to make with ingredients you have on hand. You use these scrubs to exfoliate your skin, sloughing off dry, dead skin cells. To make sugar scrub, just mix one part oil (such as coconut oil or olive oil) with two parts brown sugar (white will do in a pinch). You can also add in a scent with essential oils or even just a dash or two of cinnamon from your cupboard.^[13]
- If you use coconut oil, heat it in the microwave for a minute or two to help it melt before adding the sugar.
- To use the scrub, simply rub it into your skin with your hands and then wash it off.
Try a foot treatment. Get a thick foot cream. Wet a towel, making sure to shake or wring out excess water. Microwave it for about 60 seconds. Once it's done, apply the cream to your feet, and wrap up your feet in the towel. Leave it on for about 15 minutes.^[14]
Paint your nails. Of course, one of the best things about going to the spa is ending up with pretty nails, which you can do at home. Just take some time at the end of the day to paint your nails and toenails. Don't forget to add a base coat and a top coat for a longer-lasting effect.^[15]

EditHaving a Veg-Out Day

Get some tasty snacks. One of the keys to a veg-out day is to have some of your favorite snacks on hand. Pick whatever you like, from chips and dips to ice cream. If you prefer, try ordering a pizza.
Have a glass of wine. Most people associate having a drink with relaxing, and certainly having a drink or two isn't going to hurt. Open up a bottle of your favorite chardonnay, and enjoy a glass or two if you'd like.^[16]
- Don't overdo it, though. You don't want to ruin the effects of a relaxing day by having a hangover the next morning.
Try a cozy beverage. If you don't drink, don't worry. Try coffee, tea, or hot chocolate instead of the alcohol. It can be just as comforting, especially if you treat yourself to something you don't normally drink.^[17]
Pick some movies or television shows to watch. One good way to relax at home is to have a marathon of your favorite movies or television shows. Make sure you have them available before you start your day. You can try streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu.^[18]
- Don't be afraid to pull out a sad movie. Sometimes, having a good cry over a movie can help you deal with the reality of what's going on in your life.^[19]
Curl up with a good book. If movies aren't your thing, get yourself a new book that you know you'll love. Curl up with it all day under a warm blanket.^[20]
- You don't need to buy a book. Borrow one from a friend, or check one out from the library. In fact, you can check out digital books from most libraries if you have an e-reader.

EditRelaxing and Pampering Yourself in Other Ways

Work on something you love. Maybe you don't get to spend as much time painting as you'd like to, or maybe you enjoy gardening but don't get out in the backyard very much. Take some time on your pampering day to enjoy doing a hobby you love. Not only will it make you happier, it can help you de-stress from the week.^[21]
Try some yoga. If you love yoga, take a few minutes during your day to do some stretching. It will help you relax and feel rejuvenated.^[22]
Get some sunlight. Spend some time in your backyard. Sunlight can help reset your body's schedule, helping you feel more relaxed the rest of the week. Plus, just being outside in nature can help you relax.^[23]
Send yourself some flowers. Flowers can help you relax and feel pampered, but you don't have to wait for someone to send them to you. Set up some to be delivered on your pampering day.^[24]
- For a cheaper method, pick some up at a grocery store the day before.
Order food from a fancy restaurant. Most cities have delivery services now that deliver food from even high-end places. Look at services available in your city, such as GrubHub or Postmates, to see what restaurants they deliver from. Pick one of your favorites to pamper yourself.^[25]
Enjoy some time with your family. Let's face it, sometimes you just don't get to spend enough time with your family, and pampering yourself can mean focusing solely on being with the ones you love. If that's the case, break out the family games, movies, and coloring books, and enjoy some time at home with your family.
Pamper yourself with your partner. Maybe instead of your whole family, you want to spend time with just your significant other. If that's true for you, try taking a bath together, reading to each other, or just curling up on the couch together to watch a movie.