Create a spa staycation to recharge at home.
If you’re feeling a little frazzled and craving a spa retreat but don’t have the time to get away, create a spa staycation for the Labor Day weekend.
The idea for a spa staycation came to me this summer when I felt overdo for a massage. After exploring the options for a get away, we settled into the idea of creating a spa experience at home.
Many of the elements needed to create the experience were already available to us in our building and club. If you live in a full service building and/or are a member of a club you may have access to many of the elements already too. If not, you can source everything needed in your local community.
Six insights for creating your perfect spa staycation
1 | Refresh your exercise routine
Whether you’ve developed an exercise routine that works for you or not, hiring a trainer/teacher to do a few workouts with you can either help you freshen up your workouts or develop a routine that you can stick with this fall.
There is so much emphasis of lifting heavy weights to ward off sarcopenia [muscle loss] and osteoporosis [bone loss] that I wanted to know whether or not Pilates is enough. I used the opportunity to test my strength and get another eye on my form. The good news for me is that my Pilates practice is serving me well on both fronts.
The one thing that I really liked was the cardio circuit that we did towards the end of the workout to keep my heart rate elevated. It involved a medicine ball, aerobic step and heavy ropes which is not something that I’ve ever done but found it fun. I’ll have to capture a video of it on my next session in case you want to try it too. Stay tuned.
2 | Refresh your diet
Change your diet for the week and try to cleanse yourself of highly processed foods, excessive sugar and fat. It will also ensure you are getting the nutrient diversity if you typically eat the same thing every day or for key meals like breakfast.
Unfortunately, we left it too late to onboard for a formal meal service. Many of them take a week or two to onboard new members. However, I found a local solution, True Food Kitchen.
True Food was cofounded by Andrew Weil MD and is based on his anti-inflammatory pyramid. The pyramid is reflective of a Mediterranean Diet which is high on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and healthy fats and low on highly processed foods and red meat.
It worked out better than a meal service because we were able to visit the restaurant, takeout and order in as needed which didn’t limit our options. Check for a True Food Kitchen and other restaurants that follow the principles of the anti-inflammatory pyramid. Otherwise, try the True Food cookbook to make healthy and delicious meals at home.
3 | Do a tea tasting
Tea might become your new go-to when you want something comforting or special to drink. There are five types of tea: white, green, oolong, black and matcha. Herb teas while good for you too are not considered to be real teas by the experts.
A tea tasting is a good way to learn about the different properties of the teas, what makes a quality tea and how to prepare each type. If you’re wanting something cleansing, drink a quality green and/or matcha. Matcha is much more potent than green tea and can be enjoyed as a hot or cold latte. With that said, all of the teas have cleansing properties so drink what you enjoy most but don’t overindulge in lattes.
4 | Visit your local farmer’s market
Most communities have local farmer’s markets which are fun to explore and a good way to connect with others in your community. Some markets lean heavier on fresh fruit and vegetable stands while others offer a wide variety of vendors selling homemade and specialty products to enhance your wellbeing. Whichever the case, wandering the market is a nice way to spend a relaxing weekend morning and get inspired to cook at home.
5 | Spa and pool day
If not offered at your club, hotels have spa packages that couple spa services and pool privileges. Soaking, lounging and/or splashing around is the perfect start or end to your spa staycation. If you enjoy playing more than lounging, check your local water park for adult only days and times or look for a pool with some fun features in addition to an adult only pool.
6 | Unplug
The most important thing we’ve learned about recharging whether at home or far off destination, it’s to unplug. To get the full benefit of your spa staycation, turn off your phone or limit contact and don’t check emails or check the status of projects. Give yourself permission and the time to focus on your health and wellbeing.
