Unless they are within easy driving distance, most of us have postponed or canceled summer plans to destination spas or wellness retreats. Here in LA, I’m still impatiently awaiting the opening of nail salons. So while we do our best to practice self-massage or train our second—best hand to attempt a DIY mani, executives from some of the world’s most renowned wellness destinations are offering advice on how to upgrade our at-home wellness routine.
Create wellness rituals at home
According to Lee Woon Hoe, SAVP and Executive Director of Wellbeing at Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, wellbeing, “is a life-long practice,” and he recommends focusing on turning the home into the ultimate sanctuary, starting with the entrance.
Mr. Woon Hoe shares that, “I place an aromatherapy diffuser near the door entrance. This is so that before I leave the house and return home from work day, I start each stage of my daily routine on an uplifting note. Visitors are also pleasantly surprised when they are greeted with a welcoming scent.”
“When I return home in the evening, one of the first things I do is to play soothing music, such as sounds of nature or binaural music. This will calm my mind before I head to bed at the end of the night. I light my living room and bedroom space with warm soothing light and special blue-light free light bulbs to minimize my exposure to sleep disruptive blue lights in the evening.”
As for bedroom spaces, he “believes in ensuring quality bed linen, pillows and mattress. Every weekend, I will give my pillows a good dose of sun bathing, and wash and sun all linens. Come Sunday evening, I can enjoy and feel the fresh crisp bed linen, thus ensuring a good sleep and ready to start a new week. You can add a sleep enhancer pillow mist for an extra touch.”
His wellbeing advice follows into the kitchen, too. He shares that, “I maintain a selection of easy to store and cook food ingredients in the pantry. They include steel cut oats and a range of beans and seeds in different colors. Oats are great for managing my cholesterol given the easy access to fresh seafood on Phuket island. Beans are rich in protein and fiber. Many Asian dessert recipes use mung beans and leverage on their natural flavors. Hence, all it takes is a simple wash, soak and boil with minimal sugar added to a dessert dish or soup. It is one of my favorite comfort foods.”
Turn your bathroom into a spa wonderland
According to Ljiljana Matic, Corporate Wellness and Spa Director of Losinj Hotels & Villas in Croatia, a little extra care with showers and baths can turn a daily ritual into a DIY retreat. She advises turning, “your daily shower or bath into a relaxing wellness experience by alternating with hot and cold water in your shower to detox. Shower with warm water for one minute, then with cold water for 30 seconds. Repeat the cycle several times. Warm water will expand blood vessels and increase circulation, while cold water will contract the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Make sure you start from feet up when switching from hot water to cold, or cold to hot. Not only will this alternating of hot and cold-water temperature increase circulation and wake you up, it relieves the body of toxins and reduces muscle inflammation.”
As for the perfect bath, Matic suggests, “Filling the bathtub with warm water - Add two tablespoons of olive oil with the same amount of honey and half a glycerine soap bar. Sprinkle rose petals, add a few drops of essential oil and light a scented candle for an indulgent bath that relaxes both mind and body.”
Work well from home
Capella Ubud in Bali’s lifestyle manager Astari shares advice on how to feel your best while working from home. Astari recommends starting the day with, “A glass of warm water with sliced lemon as soon as you wake up. Do light exercise such as jogging or stretching for 30 minutes before you start your day.”
Once work begins, “Take a small break every 45 minutes, stand up from your desk, take a few deep breaths, stretch your neck by looking up and down, turning your head right. Walk around your house, if possible get some fresh air outside your room, drink infused water with lemon and mint, then back to work. Set a lunch time, and 15 minutes after your meal make a pot of warm ginger tea and enjoy your home garden or just lie down on the couch, take 10 – 15 deep breaths, close your eyes, and relax for 10 minutes.” And to wind down after a long day? “Have some Lavender essential oils and practice the Pranayama breathing technique, take a detox hot bath using lemongrass, ginger and betel leaves or enjoy a bowl of fruit salad.”