Do you know this feeling? It’s a cold, foggy day, you’re home and you have a few hours to yourself.

You might be thinking that it’s a good time to tackle some unfinished business, maybe clean up or do some way overdue admin tasks.

But… but… before you just sigh and get on with it, let me ask you a question: When was the last time you took a few hours to pamper yourself? I mean, to really do an act of self-care, let go and enjoy yourself?

I am guilty of this too, as I often tend to think that there are more important and pressing matters I need to tend to. The reality though is that this type of thinking will never really leave us with time for ourselves.

We need to carve out some time in our routine for self care.

One reason going to a spa center can be effective, is that you set a few hours to be there, and the change of scenery helps you relax and enjoy the moment.

But going to a spa can be expensive, and it’s not advisable to wait until that special occasion to devote yourself to your wellbeing.

I have started incorporating a spa routine at home for this reason. It is not a full day, just a few hours once/twice a week, and I have noticed how beneficial this new routine is. I find this time of year is perfect to pamper yourself at home, as the weather is cold and wet, and we tend to spend more time at home anyways.

My spa day at home

I make sure I start the day right. I make myself a hot water with lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey – I’m obsessed with this! I drink this every morning as soon as I wake up and it wakes up my digestive system and gives me energy.

I then have a nourishing breakfast. I don’t crave smoothies this time of the year, but instead I prepare warming oatmeal with fresh fruits and seeds.

I then do some yoga. Even if you’re not practicing yoga, some light stretching will help wake up your body, it will bring some more energy and will help make you more conscious of the way you carry yourself.

 

Then I move to the pampering part. I put my phone on airplane mode and set the mood. I play some relaxing music and light up some candles. I then start by washing my face.

I pay attention to the products that I put on my skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and since it is porous, it absorbs whatever you put on it.This means that if you’re using products that contain toxins, phthalates, parabens, lead and synthetic ingredients, they will find their way to your bloodstream.  Many of these substances are also endocrine disruptors, and you don’t want to mess with your hormones! Not very relaxing or pampering if you ask me…

Finding the right type of cosmetics and skin products can be overwhelming.There is a long list of ingredients that you should avoid in cosmetics, and it is hard to keep them all in mind when shopping.

Fortunately there are companies that put a lot of emphasis and care in using only natural, toxic-free products, and to carry a product line that is aligned with their philosophy and vision.

One such company here in Luxembourg is J’adore Bio. It is an online shop carrying natural, organic and vegan cosmetics. They have strict criteria and hand pick only European brands that meet them.  It saves me lots of time in research because I trust that what they put on their online shop is good.

But let’s get back to my spa day.

I always dry brush my skin and my face (with a bamboo, exfoliating face brush) first. I have talked about dry brushing here. It is a great routine that helps increase the blood circulation in the skin and is very relaxing.  I then continue with a body scrub to gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin.

 

I love this body scrub, made with raspberry seeds, organic sugar and shea butter. It has a delicious scent of strawberries, and leaves my skin illuminated, smooth and so hydrated. It is my favorite treatment after dry brushing!

I then rinse off the body scrub and prepare myself a bath. Recently I’ve been using this spirulina bath powder, which is mildly detoxing to the skin. I also enjoy the scent of this powder; it is very relaxing and fresh.

I also put on a facemask just before I go in the bath, and I’ve been loving this pumpkin facemask. Perfect for the season, the company making this mask uses ingredients from their organic garden to prepare them. Talking about “from farm to face” 😉 It leaves my skin hydrated and soft.

No need to tell you that after giving myself this treatment I felt incredibly relaxed and nourished.

My skin was soft and hydrated and all that was left for me to do was to tuck myself under a blanket with a nice book and mug of hot herbal tea.

Note: I have received the items from J’adore bio for free in exchange for my honest review of them.