How to Make Your Home Feel like a Spa

The healing properties of spas, saunas, and Turkish baths have been known since the time of the Greeks and the Ancient Romans. In the past, such places were physical and spiritual sanctuaries available only for the richest. Today, they are very affordable, and almost every household can have one. Although at this time we are spending more time at our homes than we thought we would, we can use this situation to do something creative and positive. Turn things to your advantage and make your home look and feel like a relaxing resort with these easy tips.

The right start – decluttering first

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is that they turn their bathrooms into storages: mountains of towels, piles of facial care products, dozens of shampoo bottles, tons of makeup ... There are usually shelves, boxes, dirty laundry baskets, cat litter, cleaning supplies, you name it. You will hardly be able to relax in your bathroom when surrounded by all these things. Try to remove everything you don’t use on a daily basis and take some time to rearrange everything. Start by storing your toiletries in decorative baskets and putting them in cabinets, or find a creative way to store your towels – something like hanging baskets or even buckets. This way, there will be less clutter and more room for you to relax.

Try out different bath bombs

You might not have a sauna or a jacuzzi in your bathroom, but you can still have that spa experience with a pinch of creativity. Your old bath can be as good as new when you clean it thoroughly, fill it with water, and throw in a nice bath bomb. There are so many different bath bombs on the market that you can easily play with them and improvise until you find the one you absolutely love. There are rainbow ones, black ones, the ones with glitter and dried flowers – something for everybody out there. Light a candle in the bathroom, close your eyes and meditate a bit. You can try out breathing meditations to help you relax, or you can just let your mind wander and daydream like when you were young.

Set the atmosphere

One of the reasons we so gladly go back to spas is because the very atmosphere is relaxing. They achieve this by playing soft, beautiful music – and this is something you can easily do at home. Make your own playlist or find the one you like online and let it quietly play in the background while you’re lighting some candles. You can use simple tea lights, which you can place in mason jars filled with flower petals and water. If you don’t want to cover every inch of your home with candles, you can always just draw the curtains and dim the lights. This doesn’t take too long, but the result is astonishing because you will feel like your living room has turned into a real spa.

Get a massage

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were able to get a professional masseuse to get to our home and give us a nice, relaxing, full-body massage? Sadly, with this pandemic, we are forced to wait for things to go back to normal, or to try out something different. There are so many wonderful massagers you can try that will help you feel relaxed and pampered. You can get a nice foot and leg massager that you can actually carry around from one room to another and use it whenever you feel like it. Another great thing about these portable massagers is that you can use them while watching TV, reading a book, or even while writing emails to your boss – it’s your little secret.

Follow the rules

Just like in real spa centers and resorts, you shouldn’t be using your phone when you’re relaxing. Your spa day is all about you pampering yourself and restoring your inner peace and balance, and endlessly scrolling through social media and checking your email won’t help you get there. This is why you shouldn’t be using your phone when relaxing – put it on silent or ‘do not disturb’ mode for a day (or a few hours at least). If you’re planning on having a spa day with your friends, it’s all the more important not to use your phones. Instead of being distracted, you’ll focus on feeling good.

Scents to relieve the stress

Another thing that spa centers do is using certain scents to help you calm down and relax, and you can use this trick in your home. Aromatherapy is proven to have health benefits that include improved quality of life, especially for people who suffer from chronic health conditions, relief from anxiety and depression, as well as improved sleep The most popular scents for therapy are lavender, peppermint, lemon, Ylang-ylang, Frankincense, Neroli, and Bergamot. However, try not to overdo it – a different scent in each room can be overwhelming instead of soothing, so you might want to pick one or two scents for your entire house.

Choose colors wisely

Another trick you can use to make your home not only look, but also really feel like an actual real spa is carefully picking the color scheme. You will probably want to fill your home with details in your favorite color, but we would advise you to choose the ones that evoke the memory of nature. You will get the best results when you implement more earthy and natural tones such as beige, brown, mint green, and light blue. You can get curtains, cushions, towels, tablecloths, and other little accessories for your home in these shades since this will make you feel like you are in a real resort even when you’re just in your bathroom or bedroom.

Get more plants

Taking care of plants is a great way to relax and lower your blood pressure. A lot of people hesitate to put plants into their bathrooms because they are worried about the amount of light, air, and humidity, and rightly so. Bathroom conditions are far from perfect for some plants (for example, hibiscus, certain types of cacti and succulents), but there are also plants that will thrive if you place them there. Bathrooms are like heaven for certain plants – aloe vera, bamboo, fern, and begonia are just some of the plants that will love humidity and dark. Still, no matter how much you love plants, you don’t want your bathroom to turn into a greenhouse, so keep it simple, tidy, and organized.

Just because you can’t leave your home because of the pandemic doesn’t mean that you can’t get a quality spa treatment. We are all feeling stressed and anxious, so a little bit of self-care and pampering will help you feel like your old self. These are just some of the things you can to do at home to create a soothing spa-like atmosphere because going to a spa doesn’t have to be expensive or over-the-top. If you manage to transform your home (or at least parts of it) into your own little recluse, you will easily get that spa experience right in your bedroom or bathroom.

Guest Post - Top 5 Ways to Stay Healthy When Moving Home

Moving home is one of the most stressful things you can do; not only does it require physical endurance, but also bags of emotional strength and heightened organizational skills.

Moving involves coping with change, and it represents a transition in life. Most of us like familiarity, order and our routine, but when you're moving, you have none of those. It’s the start of a knock-on effect of change throughout your life, at least for the next few months.

So let's look at five useful tips to keep healthy when you move.

1- Keep Exercising 

Moving boxes and furniture requires strength and agility, so even the fittest person may find it hard going over time. The trick is to warm up properly beforehand, especially if you’ve suffered from back problems and muscle strain in the past.

It may sound odd, but exercising regularly before and during the move is a great idea. Maintaining your fitness will make sure you don’t seize up and become unable to lift your boxes and ultimately, hurt yourself.

A great tip is to plan the journey in your mind ahead of time. Visualize where you’re going and plan the quickest and easiest route through the house or flat to your destination. This way, you can cut out unnecessary journeys, save time and minimize the chance of injury.

On a practical point, learn to lift correctly. Have a straight back, keep your hips low and initially lift using your legs. Many lower back injuries are caused by not using the right technique.

Another piece of advice is to wear gloves with rubber palms when you’re doing the heavy lifting, as this will stop heavy items from slipping out of your hands by maintaining grip and protecting your fingers. 

Don’t forget your feet. It’s tempting to move items in bare feet or indoor slippers, especially if you have new carpets. Don’t do it! Always wear shoes to avoid slipping and protect your toes from heavy items that might fall on them. 

2 - Eat The Right Food

After all that exercise you’ll need regular fuel breaks. It’s essential to eat well to get the energy you need to work for hours on end, without feeling tired.

Eat a selection of food that is high in vitamins, minerals, and fibre then combine that with quality protein and carbohydrates for best results. The NHS website suggests that a healthy diet consists of at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. 

Choose wholegrain or higher fiber carbohydrates and low-fat oils and spreads. Consider a Mediterranean diet as well, as it offers benefits beyond the physical as well. 

You can make your diet more Mediterranean so easily as well, by eating quality bread, pasta and including fish in your diet. Eating less meat and choosing products made from vegetable and plant oils, such as olive oil, is also an essential part of the habit.

Even if you usually eat well and live healthily, your body will use all its regular supply of Vitamin C and Vitamin D to produce energy.

Prolonged strenuous exercise, which includes the type of physical activity required to move, will deplete your system. You may need to supplement your diet in the short term and if you decide to do so, focus on additional Vitamin C, D and Iron for as long as it takes to get the job done.

3 - Drink Plenty of Water

Hydration is key. Athletes will tell you 1% dehydration equates to 10% drop in performance. So stay hydrated, drink plenty of water. If you don’t like plain water, then you can choose soft drinks, cordials, herbal tea and low-fat milk. You might be surprised to hear that in many cases, milk is more hydrating than ordinary water.

Drinking eight glasses of liquid every day is recommended to stop dehydration, aiding the production of energy, which in turn gives you the endurance required to move home. 

4 - Get lots of Sleep

Even though moving home is exciting, it’s also stressful. To combat stress, there’s almost nothing better than a good night’s sleep, but as many people know, that can be easier said than done.

If you’re finding it difficult to get to sleep, try not to rely on medication as this can be harmful in the long term and ruin your sleep schedule. Instead, the following sleep hacks might help you to drift off...

1. Start by making sure your bedroom is peaceful, calm and cool in temperature. 

2. Avoid caffeine at least 3 hours before going to bed as well as excessive alcohol. Three or more glasses of wine have been proven to lead to a restless night's sleep. 

3. Remove all tech from the bedroom. If possible, stop doing any mentally demanding work several hours before going to bed to give your brain time to calm down. 

4. Try a warm bath and use essential oils before jumping under the duvet covers 

5. Go to bed at the same time each day, so that your mind and body will get used to a predictable bedtime routine.

5 - Socialize to Boost your Mental Health

Now you’re settled in your new home; it’s a good idea to get to know the neighbors. Making new friends is a great way to settle in and get to know the area around you. Your neighbors will be keen to meet you too, and you never know when you might need someone to feed the cat.

Humans are social beings, and socializing is a great way to enjoy and maintain a healthy lifestyle when moving home.

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Author bio: Alistair Knight is a writer for Vita-C, a website designed to improve the health and wellness of all. In Alistair’s spare time, he spends his time relaxing with the family, living healthily, and enjoying life. 

Guest Post - Home Improvements That Improve Your Health

After years of family gatherings, playdates and natural wear and tear of your house, you might be considering an upgrade. One of the best reasons for home improvements is that you can pick and choose which areas to enhance — and can transform the whole atmosphere of a space with just a few projects. 

Not only do improvements refresh a house aesthetically, but they also have the potential to save money and decrease your environmental footprint. At times, sustainable upgrades can seem intimidating and expensive due to their advanced technology. However, switching certain outdated products for more modern options may have health benefits in addition to being eco-friendly. Here are three aspects of your home that might be ready for a change. 

Air

Certain parts of a house must be kept in good shape in order to maintain their efficiency. For example, in summer and winter, an efficient heating and cooling system is important for healthy air quality. Clogged filters or pipes tend to consume energy excessively, which can lead to more expensive bills and an increase in dust and debris filtered or recirculated into the home.

While humidity can cause headaches and discomfort, it can also lead to mold, which is linked to respiratory problems, allergies and asthma. Mold usually develops in areas with high moisture levels, which makes it likely to grow around leakage. Unstable roofs and walls or even broken plant pots can help mold grow and spread. Reactions to mold exposure can vary from mild to severe, so it’s best to reduce the risk and keep dark, damp corners clean. 

Water

It is important to be conscious of what you’re drinking. Many hazardous chemicals may be present in unfiltered tap water, such as lead, mercury, chlorine and other industrial substances. These contaminants can lead to chronic cough, difficulty breathing, airway irritation, respiratory distress, vomiting and other symptoms. 

A water filter can help defend against toxins. As an additional precaution, use only cold water for drinking and cooking, as lead is more soluble in warm and hot water. Bottled water isn’t always a safe option, either, as it can contain microplastic contamination. 

Chemicals and Textiles

Many people tend not to think about the substances and fabrics they use on a daily basis. Cleaning supplies and household products may contain dangerous chemicals such as ammonia, bleach and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be linked to chronic respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Replacing harmful chemicals with safer, environmentally friendly options can reduce the risk of exposure to VOCs. 

Another potential concern is that the textiles and fabrics in your home may be harboring pests, dust and bacteria. Vacuuming regularly or even replacing old carpet can result in a healthier indoor environment and reduce the risk of mold spores and pet dander. 

Home upgrades are typically meant to boost resale value and improve the convenience of your house. However, they also have health benefits and don’t always put a dent in the budget. Take a look at the accompanying infographic for more home ideas to improve your family’s well-being. 

Author bio: Brian McNally is the owner of McNally’s Heating & Cooling, a commercial and residential HVAC company. McNally, who has 25 years of experience in the industry, focuses on commercial and residential service, repairs and installations.

Courtesy Of McNally’s Heating & Cooling

Guest Post - 10 Mistakes That Are Making Your Home Unhealthy

Most people define a good home by its comfort, security, and serenity. But there is more to a good home. One of the most critical features that many people overlook is the healthiness of a home. Many people clean and beautify their homes just to entertain their houseguests, forgetting that the occupants’ health should always come first. We spend most of our night time and a significant part of our daylight time in our homes, which makes unhealthy homes the leading causes of common illnesses.

Note that a home can be unhealthy even when your hygiene levels are top-notch; after all, general hygiene does not necessarily slow down the growth of mold and mildew. These toxic substances know how to hide from your naked eye and they can thrive in environments no one can imagine. That is why you must learn to avoid making these 10 mistakes that could be making your home unhealthy, even when you are keen on hygiene. 

1.    Not taking your shoes off at the door

Wearing the same shoes for both your indoor and outdoor activities is a health risk because shoes bring allergens, mildew, and pollutants into your living spaces. These toxic elements easily get trapped on the bottom of your shoes. Ensure that you and your houseguests leave your outdoor shoes outside or put them in a washable tray by the entrance.

2.    Overheating your indoors

An overheated environment is a good breeding place for mites and mold. Keep your thermostat at 70 degrees maximum to get rid of them.

3.    Allowing pets into your bed

If you enjoy snuggling up to your furry friend in your bed, what you are basically doing is inviting allergens to your bed. If you must allow the fur baby into your bed, then at least bathe him/her twice a week.

4.    Too many houseplants

Houseplants boost the healthiness of your home, but as you know, too much of anything is poisonous. Plants make your indoors warm but at the same time increases moisture through cellular respiration and photosynthesis. This kind of environment promotes the growth of mold. Also, note that the soil holding your potted plants offers the perfect habitation for harmful microorganisms to thrive and multiply exponentially. Just bring in enough houseplants (not excess).

5.    Poor maintenance of water

When the water systems in your home are mismanaged, that can cause mold buildup in some areas, damage to walls and floors, or even some of your hidden fabrics. Make sure whether you need a home remodeling or not, always ensure that your siding installation is in perfect shape to avoid leakages in the house, which sometimes lead to chipped paint and discolored surfaces.  Contact a professional siding contractor or a plumber immediately you detect signs of water leakages in your home. That will save you a lot in terms of medical and repair bills.

6.    Mismanagement of fabrics and textiles

Your carpets, mats, and rugs, are the key culprits in hiding microorganisms. Note that fabrics and textiles are good absorbers of moisture and that makes them a nice habitation for microorganisms. There are also some forms of upholstery that act as the perfect hideouts for pests. Always ensure that your textiles and fabrics are sufficiently aired and regularly exposed to direct sunlight so that they can dry. Ensure that the carpets are cleaned and vacuumed frequently. And if you don’t need all the fabrics and textiles in your home, donate or get rid of some of them.

7.    Not cleaning the vents and ducts

Vents need cleaning just like every other part of your home. They are the biggest culprit when it comes to accumulating dust and later redistributing the dust particles when you turn on the heat or air conditioning. If you are unable to clean out hard-to-reach dust, hire a professional to do it for you.

8.    Using wrong household cleaners

Household cleaners settle on your furniture, walls, and even clothes, meaning that you inhale their chemicals all the time. Some of these chemicals can damage your airways and lungs, which can lead to serious health problems like asthma and cancer. Be sure to find chemical-free cleaners to clean your home.

9.    Poor bathroom ventilation 

Ensure that your bathroom window is open every time you shower just to get rid of excess moisture. We have already mentioned that moisture encourages mold.

10.    Piling up trash

Mice and roaches love trash. And because rodents are disease carriers, you need to stick to a routine of taking out the trash every day.

Conclusion

Not dusting properly, allowing your pets to sleep in the bed, and letting moisture bead up around the bathroom are some of the unhealthy mistakes you are making. You should desist from the 10 mistakes we have described if you don't make you and your family really sick.

Author Bio: Catherine Cortez is a certified architect as well as writer for different websites. She is young and ambitious, with a degree in architecture. Her mission is to inspire others to live their dreams and create their perfect sweet home. She puts a big effort into working with her clients and tries to help them in the best way she can.