Now that we are all able to book long awaited spa days with our loved ones, so many of us are planning a relaxing weekend so we can unwind in style. Whether you are heading off for a full spa break to make the most of the facilities or are heading out for an afternoon at your local spa, leave feeling amazing and ready to tackle the busy week ahead after enjoying the benefits of getting a massage.

Ease your aches and pains

One of the key benefits of getting a massage is the effect it can have on your aches and pains, leaving you feeling years younger! When carried out by a professional, the process of a massage improves your circulation and can be tailored to the areas you are struggling with for maximum results. Any stress or tension within your body can be relieved to reduce the pain, helping you fully relax and let the benefits of getting a massage take over.

Improve your mental wellbeing

The therapeutic process of a massage is great for the mind, helping us truly relax and focus our minds on the benefits of getting a massage. Proven to reduce the stress levels of those suffering with anxiety and depression, booking in for a regular massage is a great way to work on mental wellbeing and enjoy some me-time. With one in four of us experiencing mental health issues according to Mind, taking some time out to focus on yourself and reduce your body’s stress hormones can go a long way.

Refresh your skin

Leave the spa glowing from the inside out, enjoying the physical benefits of getting a massage. A gentle exfoliation will remove any dead skin cells to encourage new ones to emerge and leave your skin feeling better than ever. The specialist massage oils and lotions will leave your skin feeling wonderfully soft and glowing all over.

Look forward to a good night’s sleep

Insomnia is becoming an ongoing issue for many, struggling to drift off into a deep sleep or suffering from a poor quality of rest. When our bodies fail to get a sufficient amount of rest, the lack of energy levels and body recovery can lead to further health conditions which impact our quality of life. A massage has shown to help us improve our sleeping patterns and drift off into a deeper sleep.

Work on your posture

The benefits of getting a massage are significant for those who struggle with posture due to the needs of their job. Whether it’s office workers sitting at their desk all day, manual workers spending most of their days on their feet or athletes having to undergo intense physical training multiple times a week, our bodies need time to recover. A massage is a great way to target areas of stress to help speed up recovery and minimise the risk of problems occurring.

The time has come, you’ve finally got your long awaited spa days booked and are excitedly packing your bag ready to hit the road. Whether you are heading off for your very first spa break or are just double checking that you haven’t forgotten to pack the essentials, we’ve created a checklist so you don’t get caught short!

Swimwear

This may seem like a given when you’re wondering what to bring to a spa day but often it is the simplest of things that get forgotten! If you are looking to make use of the spa facilities, relaxing in the saunas and unwinding in the Jacuzzi, make sure to pack your favourite comfortable swimwear. You will see spa goers in a range of bikinis and swimsuits so pick out the option that you feel the most comfortable in for the day.

Pool side flip flops

Although some spas will provide you with your very own flip flops to wear, this isn’t always the case. If you are unsure of whether they will be given to you, it is always worth tucking a pair into your bag just in case. Not everybody chooses to walk around in flip flips but it can be more pleasant than being bare foot on slippery tiles and when heading to and from the changing rooms.

Hair ties

When you are thinking of what to bring to a spa day, this is arguably one of the easiest to forget. Keeping your hair out of your face with hair bands, hair clips or headbands is likely to become a welcome addition that will help you fully relax. There’s nothing pleasant about wet hair on your face in the steam room or your hair getting in the way mid treatment!

Cosy clothing

Once you have finished up at the spa, make sure to pack your comfies for the journey home. After a relaxing day of letting your skin breathe, allow any products to soak into your skin with loose fitting clothes and your cosiest loungewear. After drying off after the pool, you’ll be wishing you better considered what to bring to a spa day rather than squeezing into those tight jeans.

Minimal toiletries

Although many people prefer to attend in their makeup, the combination of heavy makeup and spa facilities is not the best. If you feel more confident in makeup during your spa day, opt for waterproof cosmetics and minimal skin products to allow your skin to breathe. When you are ready to leave, having your daily essentials such as moisturiser and deodorant on hand will mean you can head off having reapplied your favourite toiletries.

Your own towel

Again, what to bring to a spa day depends on the location you are heading to as some spas provide you with towels to use for your visit, but definitely make sure to check this out beforehand. Many people carry their towel around the spa facilities with them so they can dry off after jumping out of the pool or leaving the steam room. Top tip: choose a towel which is easy to identify next to others so you can grab yours with ease.