A spa massage can do wonders for the holistic sense of well-being. The mind is left quietened, the soul uplifted, and the body relaxed. A luxury enjoyed by many, yet often experienced as part of a special occasion rather than a self-care ritual. However, it's not always necessary to travel outside of the home to reap these benefits of a massage. You have the ability to be your personal masseuse with the correct knowledge of how to do a spa massage at home. All you need is the right environment, mindset, and tools.
Keep reading to discover ESPA's guide to a spa massage at home.
What do you need for a spa massage at home?
From reduced feelings of stress to relieved tension in the body, there's no denying that massages are worth penciling into your routine. Plus, to feel the effects of a spa massage at home, you require only two tools.
- The first may be the most difficult to find, especially with children to look after: uninterrupted time to yourself.
- The second is a tool easily attainable to all: a massage oil.
Try to awaken ten minutes earlier in the morning to set aside some time to indulge in this moment of self-care. Alternatively, choose an evening before bed when the house is quiet to mentally transport yourself into a spa. To set the environment and aura, here's our guide of steps you can take to transform your bathroom into an oasis of calm.
Once you have decided on a time and place to carry out your spa massage at home, all that's left is to decide what is the best massage oil for you.
What is the best massage oil to use?
Not all oils are designed to be applied to the skin, so it's important to clarify what the best massage oil is.
ESPA's collection of natural bath and body oils multi-task as both luxury body oils and therapeutic aromatic oils to add to your bath. Each one of the massage oils has been specially formulated with a rich mélange of Avocado, Sweet Almond, and Soybean Oils to support the skin's natural moisture barrier and leave it soft and supple. What's more, the various blends of essential oils create a different fragrance in each product. These fragrances harness the power of aromatherapy and elevate each moment with a sensorial connection for the mind as they nourish the body.
So, within the varying range of oils, you may be wondering what is the best massage oil for you.
The blessing with these varying fragrances is that you can choose one to match your mood. If it's likely you will carry out your spa massage at home in the mornings, you may wish to opt for an oil that will uplift the spirit and recharge the senses. In that case, the enlivening blend of stimulating Peppermint, refreshing Eucalyptus, and clarifying Rosemary may be what is the best massage oil for you.
On the other hand, if you have found that the best time for uninterrupted self-care is in the evening, you might want to choose a massage oil to soothe your senses. We would therefore recommend one that harnesses the soporific grace of Lavender, Clary Sage and Eucalyptus for a heavenly night's sleep.
How to warm massage oil at home
We have already discussed the benefits of massage. However, simply heating up your oil beforehand can profoundly elevate the experience in the comfort of your own home.
The Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda, focuses on maintaining health through natural practices and balancing the mind, body, and spirit. They believed a large part of maintaining this balance was found in massages, particularly “abhyanga,” a self-massage with warm oil. Luckily, we can easily experience this form of massage. How to warm massage oil at home is simple and takes a matter of minutes.
- Boil some water and pour it into a large bowl.
- Pour out the amount of oil you want to use into a jar and seal it.
- Carefully submerge it into the hot water
- After submerging, leave it to warm up for about 5-10 minutes.
How to warm massage oil at home and enhance your experience is a straightforward and quick process. Within ten minutes, your oil is ready to be used.
How to do a massage at home step by step
It's always important to take some time to find your inner peace every day. So the first step how to do a massage at home is to find that time that suits you. Once you have established it, let's take a look at the rest of the steps to do a massage at home.
- We now know how to warm massage oil at home, and the first step is to follow the process outlined above.
- For a full spa massage at home, start to massage the oil into your scalp and temple, moving the fingertips in circular motions.
- Take a deep breath of the oil’s aromas and move down to your chest and abdomen, using clockwise and circular strokes.
- Place your thumbs on each side of the bottom of your spine and move your fingers towards the middle of your back and down again using small, circular motions.
- Use straight, long motions on your arms and legs and circular motions on your joints.
- Finish with your feet, allowing the oil to envelop your toes and applying some pressure on the soles of your feet.
- Relax for five to ten minutes to allow your skin to be nourished by the oil.
- Take a warm bath or shower to wash off any excess.