Take a Trip to the College Lifestyles Spa!

Have fun relaxing and pampering yourself with an “at home spa!”  Dedicate an entire day to your College Lifestyles Spa so you can veg out after a rough week, or so you can get ready for that big date, simply just follow a few tips here and there so you can always be beautiful and relaxed.  I was inspired to write this blog after reading CL Intern Audrey’s article “Your Classy, Fun CL Summer…FOR LESS!”  (http://collegelifestyles.org/2010/06/cl-summer-sips-refreshing-drinks-to-keep-cool/) Following these steps at home, instead of going to a real spa, will save you LOTS of money!  Enjoy some time by yourself, or invite your sisters and friends to join you in your “spa!”

Step 1:  Meditate

This is a great way to relieve any stress from your life.  I try to do this whenever I am stressed, even if I am not having a spa day!  Find a quiet, exclusive area, and find a comfortable area on the floor to sit.  Add some scented candles to make the room have a more relaxing vibe.  Close your eyes, and deeply breathe.  Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.  Try to make your chest go out as much as possible as you breathe in, and feel your belly expand as you breathe out.  Think of images and sounds that relax you.  I always envision crashing waves at the beach, and think of the sound that they make.  It is amazing how this simple technique can make you feel so much better!

Step 2:  Cleanse your Body with Spa Food!

As you enjoy your day of relaxation, you do not want to be bloated, irritated, or uncomfortable.  So, avoid eating any carbonated beverages (even if they are diet!), fried foods, or foods high in refined sugars, which all will leave you feeling sluggish and puffy.  Drinking plenty of water will keep you feeling hydrated, and will contribute to your relaxed feelings.  But, since you are having a “spa” day, keep it exciting, and ditch the plain bottles of Poland Spring, and enjoy a glass of pretty spa water!

To make spa water, fill a pretty quart-sized pitcher with ice and water.  Thinly slice one cucumber and one lemon into circle shaped pieces, and add them to the water.  Next, finely chop ten fresh mint leaves and add them as well.  Give it a good stir, and enjoy!  This will keep you hydrated, relaxed, and it will help to keep your skin clear!  Also, it is just more fun to drink!!!

To continue with the theme of pretty, energizing, hydrating foods, enjoy 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, topped with slices of orange, mint leaves, and a small drizzle of honey!  (I always try to cut the oranges into circles rather than wedges because it just looks prettier!)

For more spa food ideas, check out CL Intern Samantha’s article “CL Summer Sips: Refreshing Drinks to Keep Cool” (http://collegelifestyles.org/2010/06/cl-summer-sips-refreshing-drinks-to-keep-cool/) for healthy frozen drink ideas!  Her recipes look delicious and fun!

Step 3:  Take a Dip in a Colorful, Fragrant Bath!

Filling your tub with bath salts is a great way to relax and to just have more fun!  Buying them in the store can get expensive, but making them at home is sooo easy!  To make the salts, you will need 1 cup of Epsom salts, and ½ cup of Kosher salts.  You can leave them white and unscented, if you wish, and it will help to make your skin smooth, and will keep the bath water warm, or you can add coloring and fragrance.  Simply add a few drops of food coloring to make it colorful.  Be careful not to make the color too strong, as you can stain the tub, but if you accidentally add too much coloring, simply add more salt!  To make the salt scented, you can buy extracts at the grocery store, and add half of a capful to your salts.  Some great scent ideas are to add peppermint extract, which will make you feel energized, vanilla extract, which will make you smell delicious, or coconut extract, which will give your spa a tropical twist.  Add half of your salts to your warm bath water and enjoy!  Soak up in the tub and your skin will become soft and fragrant.  These homemade bath salts also make a great, inexpensive present for a friend or family member!

Step 4:  Exfoliate Your Skin

As you wash yourself in the salt-filled tub, use this homemade exfoliator to make your skin smooth!  The exfoiliator will take off any dry, bumpy parts of your skin and will moisturize your entire body, no matter what your skin type is.  To make it, pour a quarter cup of sugar into a plastic container, and pour canola oil over it until the sugar is wet.  Mix it to form a thick paste, and gently rub it over your skin.  Then, rinse and wash it off with your favorite soap.

*This may be too harsh for your face, so just use it on your body.  It is great for elbows and legs!

Step 5:  Make a Face Mask

This homemade face mask will help to keep your skin smooth, and will help to get rid of any acne and oiliness that you may have!  Mix ¼ cup of un-cooked old-fashioned oatmeal with ½ cup of cold green tea.  Add two teaspoons of honey and mix well.  Before applying it to your face, wet your face with a wash cloth, and then massage the mixture onto your face, avoiding your eyes.  The best part about this face mask?  You have to keep it on for 15 minutes, so in the meantime, you can sit and relax, or do whatever you want!!!  Wash the mask off with your favorite facial cleanser and enjoy your beautiful skin!  The oatmeal will make your skin smooth, while the green tea acts as an astringent.  The honey will help to pull out any dirt or bacteria from your skin.

Follow these steps so you can stay relaxed, beautiful, and classy!  How do you pamper yourself at home for cheap?

Christine Palaski is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She is a proud sister of Delta Delta Delta at Adelphi University.