This never-ending pandemic has forced us all to stay at home and work from home. While it has its own benefits, it can become very stressful and tiring. We all need a little bit of me time to unwind, relax and pamper ourselves.

You need not spend a lot of money to create your own at-home spa day. With simple tips and tricks, you can create your own at-home spa to practice a bit of self-care.

Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

Here are 7 DIY ideas to create the perfect spa and weekend for yourselves at home:

1. Stage your surroundings

For your special day of relaxation, the first step is to set the stage at home. De-clutter your room and clear up some space. Create a calming ambience for yourself. Find your favourite, most luxurious dress in your wardrobe and dress up for the occasion!

Candles can really help set up the mood for your at-home spa day! For this, buying the right kind of candle is very important. Choose candles that have a calming effect on you, such as lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus.

For this, soy-based candles are a better choice than paraffin-based ones for multiple reasons. They are natural since they are made from soybeans, and hence more environmentally friendly. They also burn 50% longer than regular candles. So, though it may be expensive to buy, soy-based candles are more cost-effective in the long run. Aromatherapy is also a great way to yourself at ease and add to your atmosphere.

Grab your speaker and put on relaxing spa music. Music has an incredible ability to calm the nerves. The aim is to clear your head and put your body at ease and into your groove.

If you want options, there are tons of playlists on Spotify or YouTube.

Dim the lights to create a soothing ambience as bright lights might not make you as relaxed as you need to be. Bask in the soft glow of your candles. Light that scented candle before you hop into your tub or shower.

Start your spa day with some yoga and meditation. Spend some time focusing on your breath and release the tension in your body. It will help you set the tone for relaxation for your spa day!

2. Make your own hair mask

Don’t forget about your hair on your spa day! Have frizzy hair, split ends or want to add moisture to your hair? Indulge in DIY hair masks, oils and treatment. Here is a recipe for a DIY banana hair mask:

1) Mash a ripe banana in a bowl.

2) Add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.

3) Mix the banana and oil well together until there are no lumps.

4) Apply the mask all over your hair evenly using a brush.

5) Let the mask be on for 20 mins before you wash it off with shampoo. Clarifying shampoo works the best to get this mask off your hair.

3. Wear a facial mask

Your beautiful face deserves a sheet mask! A sheet mask is a thin face-shaped sheet of material that is saturated with a serum or skincare product. Using sheet masks can help address all concerns from dryness to acne.

There are many DIY skincare recipes that can leave your face looking bright and glowing. Make some time in your day to relax with a homemade face mask or a Korean sheet mask.

4. Exfoliate!

Exfoliation is a great way to keep your skin looking vibrant and healthy. Usually, you can use a body scrub to exfoliate your skin. There are many store-bought options but you can also make a homemade body scrub using the ingredients in your kitchen.

Using products like a brush or a sponge can boost the health and appearance of your skin in several ways.

Exfoliation removes the top layer of dead skin cells and stimulates the production of collagen in your body that ensures your skin remains firm and radiant.

It is easiest to apply a body scrub during a bath or a shower. Massage the scrub gently into your skin in a circular motion. Rinse it off thoroughly with warm water.

5. Show some love to your paws

While you might miss the luxury of a pedicure at your local salon, you can absolutely fine-tune your at-home pedicure game using homemade materials. Before you begin, make sure you have good quality cotton pads, nail clipper, nail filer, a foot scrubber and nail polish.

1) Completely remove all nail polish on your toes using a nail polish remover and a cotton pad. Even if you don’t have any nail polish on, dab the nail polish remover over your toenails to remove any excess oil.

2) Fill your bathtub/bucket with warm water and some of your favourite bath salts and soak your weary feet in it for 15 mins. (You can put on your face mask during this time as well!)

3) Scrub your feet nice and clean. Remove dead skin from calloused areas of your feet. Give some love to your soles and heels and gently rub them. Don’t overdo it – you might end up causing irritation.

4) Clean your nails with a nail filer and use a nail trimmer to achieve the size you want.

5) Paint your toenails in your desired colour. Let them dry and then add another layer so they stay beautiful longer.

6) Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! Use a hand and foot cream for this. Like we say, the more organic, the better.

6. Rinse and shower with your favourite soap

It’s time to give yourself a nice, warm, relaxing bath! You’ve got your music on, the fragrance of your scented candles wafting through the air. All you have to do is add fruit, bath salts and immerse yourself in a luxurious soak.

Rinse off your hair mask and body scrub in a warm water bath/shower. It will surely melt your worries and stress away. Don’t forget to use your favourite soap!

7. Moisturise

After your bath or shower, apply your favourite moisturiser on your body while it is still damp. It will help lock in the hydration. Wrap yourself in your most luxurious bathrobe and step relax away for the rest of your day!

Treating yourself to a spa day is even easier with Urban Kanyaa's spa box filled with products that help you take care of yourself and give you a relaxing day without the stress and work of it. (Spa Box | Urban Kanyaa)