#relaxathome

[harmonyhealinghub]

Turn Your Home Into an Instant Vacation: A Guide to Creating an At-Home Escape Shaina Tranquilino June 19, 2024

Life can get hectic, and sometimes the idea of a vacation seems like a distant dream. But what if I told you that you could create an instant vacation right in the comfort of your own home? Whether it's a busy schedule, budget constraints, or just a longing for a little relaxation, turning your home into a vacation destination is easier than you think. Here’s how you can transform your space into a haven of relaxation and escape without ever leaving your doorstep.

Set the Scene: Create a Vacation Atmosphere

1. Choose Your Destination

Start by deciding on the vibe you want to emulate. Are you dreaming of a tropical beach, a cozy mountain retreat, or a chic European city? Once you’ve decided, you can start to tailor your home’s ambiance to match.

Tropical Paradise: Bring in the sun with bright, warm colors and plenty of greenery. Think palm leaves, bamboo, and floral prints. You could even add some tiki torches or fairy lights for that extra touch.

Mountain Retreat: Opt for cozy, rustic elements with lots of wood, soft throws, and warm lighting. A fireplace or candles can add a perfect touch of ambiance.

European Escape: Channel the charm of a quaint European village with vintage decor, floral patterns, and perhaps some classic European music playing in the background.

2. Create the Right Ambiance

Mood lighting is key to setting the vacation tone. Here are a few ideas:

Candles and Fairy Lights: These can create a warm, inviting glow. Scented candles can also add an extra layer of relaxation with aromas like lavender, ocean breeze, or jasmine.

Music Playlist: Curate a playlist that matches your destination. Whether it's the sounds of the ocean, jazz for a Parisian feel, or mountain breeze tunes, music can transport you to another place.

Transform Your Space: Little Changes Make a Big Difference

3. Decorate with a Purpose

Small touches can make a huge difference. Here are some ideas:

Textiles and Fabrics: Swap out your usual cushions, throws, and bed linens for ones that match your vacation theme. For a tropical vibe, think bright and bold; for a cozy retreat, go for plush and warm.

Artwork and Posters: Hang some artwork or posters that evoke your chosen destination. It’s a great way to keep the vacation spirit alive.

4. Set Up a Special Space

Designate a spot in your home as your vacation corner. It could be a reading nook, a balcony garden, or even a cozy corner with a hammock or a comfy chair. This space should be your go-to spot for relaxation and unwinding.

Indulge Your Senses: Taste, Smell, and Touch

5. Cook Up a Storm

Food is a big part of any vacation. Try cooking dishes from your chosen destination. Here are some ideas:

Tropical: Think tropical fruit salads, coconut curries, or fresh seafood.

Mountain Retreat: Rustic dishes like stews, grilled meats, or hearty soups.

European: Pasta, cheese boards, or pastries can transport you to the streets of Rome or Paris.

6. Scent Your Home

Scents can be incredibly evocative. Use essential oils, candles, or diffusers to bring the scents of your destination to life.

Tropical: Coconut, pineapple, and mango scents.

Mountain Retreat: Pine, cedarwood, and vanilla.

European: Lavender, rosemary, and fresh bread.

7. Pamper Yourself

Create a spa-like experience at home. Set up a bath with some relaxing bath salts, light some candles, and play soothing music. Treat yourself to a facial or a DIY spa day with masks and scrubs.

Make It Last: Keep the Vacation Spirit Alive

8. Stay in the Moment

Turn off your phone and disconnect from work emails and social media. Dedicate this time to relaxation and enjoying your home-turned-vacation spot.

9. Keep the Vibe Going

Consider making some of these changes permanent. A little vacation flair can make everyday life feel more exciting and relaxing.

Your Home, Your Vacation

Turning your home into an instant vacation spot is not just about creating a new environment; it’s about making time for yourself and enjoying the little things that make you happy. Whether it’s a few hours in a tropical paradise or a weekend in a cozy cabin, your home can be the perfect retreat. So, why wait? Start planning your at-home vacation today and give yourself the break you deserve!

[dezinedilusso]

[springtomorrowfoodtravel]

(via Relaxation At Your Doorstep: How To Create Your Home Spa Retreat)

Are you tired of the constant busyness and demands of everyday life? Do you find yourself yearning for a moment of tranquility and pampering, but the thought of going to a spa seems impractical and costly? Well, guess what? You don’t have to look any further than the comfort of your own home. Transforming your living space into a personal home spa retreat is easier than you might think. And we’re here to help you make it happen.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of creating a serene oasis that will truly enhance your relaxation and well-being. We’ll start by setting the perfect ambience and move on to designing your space in a way that promotes ultimate rejuvenation. And if you’re ready to take your bathing experience to a whole new level, we’ll even explore options like getting a luxurious spa pool or installing a therapeutic bathtub.

But that’s not all! We have a wealth of tips to share with you on how to build your very own home spa retreat. So, keep reading and get ready to indulge in some well-deserved self-care.

[meadowlilly-lifestyle]

[nushidd]

[artychildd]

[aeronauticalstudyblr]

May 7th 2020

I still struggle to find my concentration in these lockdown days. Even though I think of myself as an indoor person, I miss being able to go out to shops and to roam about freely. Even though I find spending time with friends tiring, I miss being tired as a result of them. I needed those things to keep my rithm going, but now I'm trying to find other ways.

The past days I have been trying to slightly alter my nightrime routine into one that helps with concentrating the next day and I feel like they are helping me to do just that.

About an hour before bedtime I've been...

Putting my phone away.

Switching off bright lights and only using my bedside light.

Putting on my face cream (so it's no longer sticky when I bury my face into my pillow).

Reading a book.

Then right as I am about to sleep...

I put away my book.

Check my phone for any "emergencies" (I shouldn't but it's better to do it than think of it constantly).

Turn off the light.

Sleep

I feel like the turning off of the light last is something that helps me the most. Where I used to "live in darkness" before sleep, I am now consciously taking the decision of when my day is over and now darkness = sleep.

I'll see how long I'll stick to this ritual, but as I am doing it more I start to see the benefits of it more and more, so it might be a while.

Keep trying to find your way through everything ❤

[themiracleofmusicyoutube-blog]

Listen and Relax!

Download Link on YouTube channel!

[humble-army-wife]

This station plays constantly in our home...it’s so relaxing and calming

[casselafrommanila]

Evening Routine (Quarantine Edition)

Day 24 of lockdown.

My sleeping pattern is still inconsistent. I used to think that that was just because I am a working student, whose job entails an on call schedule, while also caring for my grandmother “on call” but then I am rid of those responsibilities at the moment (at least the part where I need to physically show up for anything) and my sleep is still a mess. Don’t get me wrong. I sleep soundly. And I do like sleeping! It’s just a matter of adjusting my body clock and telling it when.

Because of this dilemma that’s also common to a lot of people, I have devised a “calming” evening routine that can help me feel centered and relaxed for bedtime. I also made this routine similar to what I can still do when the lockdown is over and I am back to my original work and school schedule. (Yes, I am thinking of leaving my on call position.)

I also just wanted to mention that although I almost always get a good sleep, some days I wake up feeling lethargic which leads to that day being unproductive, and so I will also post a Morning Routine (Quarantine Edition) soon after this one. I AM a work in progress, but I do know that writing about my intentions has been my own kind of personal reflection and expression. Here’s to hoping I’ll stick with this! (Or if not, find something that I can stick with.)

Preparation for the evening routine starts earlier than you think

When I was working in restaurants before starting undergrad, I was doing 12-hour shifts or longer at a time. This schedule alone started my caffeine addiction. It didn’t help that the places that I was working at supplied me this addiction for free. Happy hour right after my shifts made this even worse. Now that I no longer have the same work environment, I make sure that my last caffeine consumption is before 3PM and I only consume alcohol socially on a Friday or Saturday.

Home activities that boost calmness

Ideally, I would start my evening routine at around 6:30PM. This is the time when I would normally come home from work or school if there was no lockdown. The first thing I do after changing into clean clothes is wash my face from all the NYC pollution. (I have 2 separate face wash soap for days I’m only in Queens/Nassau and days I’m in Manhattan LOL) I am lucky that my boyfriend loves to cook for two so on most days I don’t need to prepare dinner. We eat together and then we go about our own business for a bit.  I’ve learned from previous experiences that the sweet spot to post a photo on Instagram is at 7PM so I would post something at around that time or just simply browse social media for a few minutes. Who am I kidding? Most days, I’m just looking at memes! Kind of winding down for the evening while also resting my feet and legs from the long commute.

Because I’ve consciously made an effort to eat a light dinner for better digestion (and my boyfriend is on a low-calorie diet), we start our workout before 8PM. Although we’ve read a couple of health and fitness articles about maximizing the effects of a workout when done in the morning or in the afternoon, we still do it in the evening because that is what works for us. To us, it’s better to show up when you can than to not show up at all. Our workouts are not intense cardio or HIIT; we reserve those for the weekends in the park. Overall, most of our workouts still gives a calming effect.

Some days we both get to start our evening routine earlier. It really just depends on what we’ve accomplished on a WFH day. We do make sure though that no matter what we’re working on, we are effectively implementing a lights off policy by 9:30. At the moment, I am typing this on my desktop computer with the blue light filter on the screen. All the light I have is a lampshade on the other side of the small room. I try my best not to do anything on my phone, especially while I’m lying down in bed. The only exception I make is when I am inspired to write a song/poem/idea/thought and the closest writing device to me is my phone. (oh, how the times have changed) If my boyfriend is working/writing extra late for the night, I leave him a light on that is dimmed to the lowest possible setting. He’s like clockwork; he comes to bed a few minutes after I do that.

I stirred off of elaborate skincare routines in the evenings after reading Skin Cleanse by Adina Grigore. Other than washing my face when I get home, I would just apply organic coconut oil on my face, hands, and sometimes feet.

Time to actually go to bed

Before going to bed, I set a tumbler with straw full of water by my nightstand. (I’ll get into more details with that on my Morning Routine post.) I also make sure that my phone and my Apple Watch both have enough battery to last for the night so that I can use them as my alarm clock for the following day. My Kindle Paperwhite is always by my nightstand for me to read to bring myself to sleep. Most nights, I read for around 20 minutes of fictional material before going to bed. Some nights when reading can’t put me to sleep (or I just can’t put the “book” down), I wear a sleeping mask and a pair of ear plugs, both of which have effectively helped me stay asleep for a good amount of time until the next morning.

Good night!

[olusheyi31]

Music news #Fun featuring @boogiemusic moves up to the #5 position on all independent charts #Soapybooty featuring @papicarlo. moves up to #11 on all independent charts and #relaxathome moves down to #33 position on all charts (at Woodland Hills, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwlwW03lo-e-dNfSrhKfGWC02IGwMBjR4f4U2s0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hrda1wo8ldye

[orangedautomne]

[dezinedilusso]

[hannahcrazyhawk]

Just a snapshot to the right of my bed last night. I still haven't moved in and organized that side yet, but it looks nice in this light. Someone just sent me the cute stuffed dragon from my @amazon wishlist yesterday. It's really nice to get presents from strangers to brighten my darkness. I loved how the aurora borealis light/star projection light looked with the pink ostrich feathers. My amazing, talented artist friend @audragerasbiomedicalart painted the lungs with cherry blossoms that hangs on the wall. 🫁 This lamp was one of my best self-care investments. I know by the time I get to turn it on, it's time to do my best to relax for sleep and imagine I'm back home in Alaska under the real Northern lights. 🌌 #lights #northernlights #auroraborealis #auroraprojector #stars #feathers #ostrichfeathers #bedroomideas #comfortable #selfcarematters #homesweethome #artislove #relaxathome #Alaskan #lightshows #chronicillnesslife #bedridden #spooniestrong #nightphoto www.hannahcrazyhawk.com (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChYRuqePj1D/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[meadowlilly-lifestyle]

[nushidd]

mariakragmann (insta)