Home Spa Night

Written by Jonah Lisa

I usually shower more than once a week. I just want everyone to know that. But sometimes as a busy, work-at-home mom I find myself in the uncomfortable position of not knowing exactly when that last shower was. Was it Monday? Saturday? Yikes, was it last Thursday? Never mind shaving my legs, or trimming my toenails. Did my hair get washed?

One of the wonderful byproducts of Unplugged Sunday for me has been that I always seem to find the time on Sunday evening to care for my personal needs. During the week I can settle for less: a few quick, unmemorable Navy showers with a child’s face pressed against the glass. But Sunday is nice, uncluttered day for us that just sets the mood for an evening of self care.

Somehow it just takes the removal of internet, movies and to do lists to feel the freedom and space to prioritize myself. It’s always worth doing. I have never once found myself wishing I had skipped the long soak and read The Huffington Post instead. 

When I can take a full hour after the kids are asleep, at the end of our Unplugged Sunday, it’s really lovely, but It’s not always the full spa routine, and that’s fine. Even an extra 15 or 20 minutes to relax, spend some time alone, and be nice to my body can be rejuvenating.

Home Spa Night Routine:

• A relaxing drink. Pour a cup or glass of whatever helps you unwind. 

• Light a candle or two if that makes it feel special and more relaxing to you.

• Self-massage with an aromatherapy oil. Yes, oil before you get wet, not after. Trust me on this one. I learned it during an Ayurvedic cleanse and it makes a huge difference if you have dry skin. I like to use Sesame Oil with sweet orange essential oil added. Don’t use Toasted Sesame Oil unless you want to smell like an Asian noodle salad. 

• A long bath or shower. There’s nothing to pull you out. No one needs you. Take as much time as you want. 

• Wash your hair and give yourself a vigorous scalp rub. You can do an easy intense conditioning by just leaving your regular conditioner on for an extra long time. 

• Shave any bits you shave. Maybe even use your husband’s shaving cream instead of whatever soap is handy. 

• Exfoliate from top to bottom. Even scrub between those toes.

• Linger. Drink your drink. Read a book. Breathe. Remember the week and let go of anything you don’t want to carry with you into the next week.

• Give yourself a Facial. Wash, scrub, peel, poke, moisturize. Go the full cucumber or put chamomile teabags on your eyes. 

• Take care of all that Other Self-Maintenance that you usually don’t have time for: Clean your ears, pluck your eyebrows, cut your nails. 

• Add-on whatever “Extra Treatments” make you feel pampered. Paint your toenails, have some dark chocolate, make sure you have clean sheets on the bed. My mother always says, “Nothing feels better than clean sheets and shaved legs.”

• Repeat relaxing drink. 

Can I do these things for myself any night of the week?  Absolutely.  

Do I?  Never.  

Besides the fact that these things all feel wonderful and your skin & hair will thank you by looking that much better, it’s really about something bigger... 

Having time alone to end one week and start the next with intention.

As I slough off the dead skin it’s like sloughing off the past week with all its ups and downs and challenges and even joys. I’m done with all that and I’m moving on. It’s as if I’m saying, here is the demarcation line. When I step out of this shower, clean, I’m stepping into a new week, a new start, and a whole new set of possibilities.

If you had one hour to yourself, how would you relax and unwind?