To a lot of people, a bath can be a refuge. Even if you live alone, you don’t have the kids running around or a partner or roommate interrupting, you can still step away from the laptop, the TV, the internet, and simply lie in peace for a moment of relaxation.
But we’re always looking for ways to make that experience even more magical. The scents, the sounds, the minerals. They’re all used to give the relaxing experience ever. Maybe you’re someone who takes a glass of wine to the bath, or your favourite book, or maybe nothing. Not even your own thoughts. No matter the case, you’ll be looking for the ways you can get out of your respite from daily life, and we don’t blame you. That’s why we’ve come up with this guide to making your home a spa-like experience.
A Whirlpool Bath
There is nothing that says “luxury” like the idea of a gentle stream of jets massaging your stress away. That’s just one reason why whirlpool baths are the ultimate spa experience at home. The jets swirl the water around you, for a hot tub experience in your own bathroom. If you need to justify it with more than luxury, the jets are also very good for your health. They improve blood circulation, which is good for the muscles and bones, but also for your immunity, a healthy heart, and a sharp mind.
If you are regularly in pain, whether due to a long-term condition or overdoing it at the gym this week, you can look into a whirlpool bath soothing you and allowing you to heal quicker.
And it’s more attainable than you’d think. Whirlpool systems can be added to just about any one of our bath models, so it’s like an extremely relaxing add-on. You can get whirlpool systems in traditional bathtubs, but also walk-in baths, corner baths, small baths, deep baths, free standing baths, steam shower baths and many more.
The Lighting
To really have things feeling like a spa, you would need some mood lighting. There are two ways you can go about this. There is the candlelight option, where you have every free space taken up by a candle, making the house smell amazing. But there is also coloured lighting.
Whirlpool baths can actually come with coloured lighting under the surface of the water for a fun and relaxing set of mood lighting installed. You can also buy underwater colour changing LED lights to come close to the same idea.
Don’t forget to invest in one of those little book-mounted lamps for if you’re getting to the good part of your latest read. Candles and books will just end in eye strain.
The Music
There is nothing like music to really have you feeling like you’re in a five-star spa in the middle of the Amazon. Find yourself a waterproof stereo, which can be very affordable, and browse Spotify for some playlists. There are loads, including Relaxing Massage, Zen Spa and Floating Through Space. Long and slow notes can be good for meditation, or even handpan drums for instrumentals. To really get immersive, you can even look for white noise playlists, and listen to the rain pattering to the ground or a “nearby” waterfall.
The Water
If trends are to be believed, people are always trying new methods to make bath time different. This has a lot to do with changing the actual water itself. The one you’ve probably seen is people upgrading from bath bombs to milk baths. It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Milk can be very good for skin conditions and is even recommended by doctors for dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, poison ivy and sunburn. You can add 1 or 2 cups of powdered milk to your bath the same way you would Epsom salts and enjoy hydrated skin.
Another idea that hasn’t quite taken off yet, however, is seaweed. Scottish and Irish spas frequently feature seaweed baths as an option, and once you try it you won’t ever go back. Not only is seaweed packed with nutrients, like calcium, potassium, iodine, and zinc, but it is highly moisturising. It can treat all the skin ailments that milk can, but will also detoxify, tone and smooth skin, while replacing all those toxins with nutrients you need, leaving you feeling supremely soft and perhaps a little more youthful.
Of course, you don’t need to get into a tub full of seaweed if that doesn’t appeal. A bath is at its good in its purest form. Just you and the water. Resting away the aches and pains of the day. Although, if you want, maybe add a glass of champagne on top of that. We won’t blame you.