How to Create a Wellness Retreat at Home

While you may not be able to travel to a hammam in Turkey or a luxury spa in Switzerland at the moment, you can still create a blissful, DIY wellness retreat at home. From plush robes and soothing teas to face masks and massage rollers, we’ve got you covered.
 
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May 6, 2020
A photo of a Lululemon Reversible (Un) Mat Lightweight Travel.
Lululemon lightweight travel mat.
A temple in Northern India.
Northern India.     Photo: Dark Labs (Unsplash)

Lululemon Reversible (Un) Mat Lightweight Travel

Namaste your way into relaxation with Lululemon’s extra–lightweight yoga mat ($85). The mat was a carry–on staple for Lululemon global ambassador and owner of One Yoga in Saskatoon Ryan Leier. “I would often leave one of these extra–lightweight Lululemon mats as a gift for someone at the hotel or airport at the end of a trip,” he says.
 

Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Face Mask for your at-home wellness retreat.
Kiehl’s face mask.

Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Face Mask

Billed as an instant facial, this Kiehl’s face mask ($52) leads to a brighter complexion thanks to the exfoliating effects of cranberry seeds. The 100 mL container means you can pop it in your carry–on when it’s time to travel again.
 

A picture of the cover of the book Wisdom from the Humble Jellyfish and Other Self-Care Rituals from Nature by Rani Shah.
Rani Shah’s delighful self–care book.

Wisdom from the Humble Jellyfish and Other Self–Care Rituals from Nature

In her debut book ($21, Indigo), Brooklyn–based writer Rani Shah looks to the natural world for lessons on how to live a more balanced and thoughtful life. She humorously draws on examples from wombats, oysters, sunflowers and more, all accompanied by cheerful illustrations.
 

Vancouver Candle Co. 10 oz. Atlantic Candle for your at-home wellness retreat.
Vancouver Candle Co. candle.
A lighthouse off the coast of Atlantic Canada.
A lighthouse in Atlantic Canada.     Photo: Leonard Laub (Unsplash)

Vancouver Candle Co. 10 oz. Atlantic Candle

Let the calming scents of lavender, bergamot and violet transport you to Atlantic Canada (ocean breeze not included). Part of Vancouver Candle Co.’s Great White North Collection, this candle ($42, Indigo) is hand poured in the company’s Vancouver studio.
 

A hot and cold therapy pillow from Halfmoon for your at-home wellness retreat.
Halfmoon therapy pillow.

Halfmoon Organic Hot + Cold Therapy Pillow

Ease neck tension, shoulder pain and headaches with this lavender–scented pillow from Halfmoon ($46). Filled with Canadian wheat berries and covered in organic cotton, the pillow can be warmed up in the microwave or oven, or placed in the freezer, making it a versatile pain reliever.
 

Slipper socks from Province of Canada for your at-home wellness retreat.
Province of Canada’s slipper socks.

Province of Canada Slipper Sock

These low–cut, knitted slipper socks from Province of Canada ($24) are the perfect “pairing” for relaxing activities such as reading, sipping tea and binge–watching reruns of your favourite TV shows.
 

Céla Home Care Kit skincare and beauty kit from Hammam Spa in Toronto for your at-home wellness retreat.
Céla Home Care Kit.
Overlooking the city and mountains in Istanbul, Turkey.
Istanbul, Turkey.     Photo: Artem Bryzgal (Unsplash)

Céla Home Care Kit from Hammam Spa

You don’t have to travel to Turkey to recreate (part of) the Turkish bath experience thanks to an at–home treatment kit ($77) from Toronto’s Hammam Spa. The kit features products from founder Celine Tadrissi’s line of Céla skincare products, including a Céla exfoliating mitt, Céla Black Soap and Céla Crème Rose body lotion.
 

A luxurious silk sleep mask from Slip for your at-home wellness retreat.
A Slip sleep mask.

Slip Silk Sleepmask

How to relax in three simple steps: 1. Turn off the lights. 2. Play soothing music. 3. Pull a sleep mask over your eyes – ideally one made of luxurious mulberry silk like this one from Slip ($70, Sephora).
 

Detox Green Tea from Ste. Anne's Spa in Haldimand Hills for your at-home wellness retreat.
Tea from Ste. Anne’s Spa.
The lush grounds of Ste. Anne's Spa in Haldimand Hills, Ontario, Canada.
Ste. Anne’s Spa.

Detox Green Tea from Ste. Anne’s Spa

No spa experience is complete without a pre– or post–treatment cup of tea. Ste. Anne’s Spa in Ontario sells their signature loose–leaf teas online – individually or as a set – with shipment available across Canada. Add a loaf of freshly baked Almond Milk Bread from the Ste. Anne’s Spa Bakery to your order to make tea–time extra sweet.
 

The part-cardigan, part-robe CardiRobe from Smash + Tess in Slay Gray for your at-home wellness retreat.
Smash + Tess robe.

Smash + Tess Carrie CardiRobe

When it comes to fashion–forward loungewear, you can count on Vancouver label Smash + Tess to deliver. The Carrie CardiRobe ($129, Well.ca) – a bathrobe–cardigan hybrid – in Slay Gray is our pick for at–home R&R.  
 

A twin ball wooden massager from the Body Shop for your at-home wellness retreat.
A wooden massager from The Body Shop.

The Body Shop Wooden Twin Ball Massager

If you’re missing regular visits to the RMT, give your muscles the relief they’re craving with this handheld, wooden massage roller from The Body Shop ($14) that helps release neck, back and shoulder tension. Massage oil optional, but recommended!