From the public baths built in mineral or thermal springs by ancient Greeks and Romans, to the modern wellness centers and retreats of today, humans have long known about the therapeutic health benefits of spas. Since then, the spa industry has come a long way while maintaining a focus on restoration, relaxation, and self-care. Common spa treatments improve blood circulation, relieve stress, slow aging, maintain healthy skin, help with sleep habits, and improve moods. New technologies and smart gadgets have been incorporated into the spa and wellness industry over the last decade, making treatments, practices, and devices more widely available. With technological advancements and home phone and internet specialists now readily available for homeowners, you can create a modern at-home smart spa.
Set up Your Space
Setting up a space to stimulate your senses is the way to achieve a restorative and restful spa space. When designing your at-home spa, think about what calms you and brings you peace. Focus on all your senses to take your home spa to the next level:
- Visual: Creating a visually pleasing space is crucial for a truly calming environment. Consider adding depth and texture by incorporating 3D wall paintings in your space. This artwork provides stimulation without being overwhelming. Choose lighting fixtures that diffuse light softly and equip them with smart bulbs with multiple color settings that let you match the vibe to your current mood. Add your phone and internet to your spa environment to control and enhance your relaxation experience.
- Auditory: Adding soundproofing blinds and other audio-absorbent accessories keep the outside noise out. Speakers, sound machines, and audio systems allow you to craft a stimulating sound experience. Make sure you choose tech compatible with your smart home devices. When making a playlist for your spa, focus on songs that give you an inner sense of peace — like ambient soundscapes or tracks with nature sounds.
- Olfactory: Often overlooked, the smells in a spa space are crucial to achieving complete comfort. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and open your nasal passages, while diffusers softly introduce your favorite smells into the room. Air purifiers pull toxins, dirt, and dust from the air to create the perfect blank canvas. Using these three devices in tandem while connected to a smart hub allows you to establish your favorite scents and purify the air.
- Touch: Incorporate soft, luscious, and smooth accessories into your space to engage with touch. Adding an automated smart garden brings natural elements into your spa without adding stress. Connecting your indoor oasis to an outdoor spa brings an elevated experience surrounded by organic touches. Building your outside space with privacy walls, tall greenery, and other natural surroundings allows for outdoor showers, which offer a deeper connection to nature and your body.
Hot Tubs and Smart Bathrooms
If you can’t create a separate spa room, consider redesigning your bathroom to double as a home spa. Hydrotherapy provides muscle and joint relief and can be integrated into your shower, tub, or hot tub to provide relaxation without a major renovation. Smart hot tubs feature powerful motors, ergonomic designs for easy entry and exit, and Chroma therapy using customizable light displays. With the ability to include speakers, digital screens, and massaging functions, an at-home hot tub has many features present in spas. Smart hot tubs feature Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity, making it easy to design a personalized experience from your phone or tablet. Smart hot tubs feature water treatment and filtration systems that practically care for themselves. Get notifications to your phone if your water needs rebalancing or your tub needs cleaning to keep it a healthy environment to relax in.
Adding a few smart features to your bathroom can offer the exact amount of spa-style relaxation you need. Adding heated floors keeps you comfy morning, noon, and night. Smart showers can be customized to your preferences and controlled to the exact water temperature. Chroma therapy lights restore a restful state of mind and make your shower a place of restoration. Install a floatation tub that allows deep, reflective mediation and a smart faucet for conscientious water consumption. Place smart thermostats, towel warmers, and humidifiers strategically for a bathroom that’s always the perfect climate.
High-Tech Massages 101
High-tech massages are a great way to get a custom, personalized massage experience. Technology has enhanced the ability of massage devices like handhelds and chairs to sense needs, find problem areas, and provide unparalleled relief. Massage chairs contour to your body and provide all-over or localized pressure and movement to release pent-up tension and alleviate sore, tired muscles and joints. Back and neck massagers come in many styles, from single-point, low-vibration models to full-feature devices that reach deep layers of muscle tissue. Massage guns provide a rapid mini burst of pressure in a pulsing rhythm to limber muscles and regain or enhance your movement and mobility. Massage mats combine RF technology, hot stone practices, crystals, Chroma therapy, and more into a portable massage experience.
With the fast pace of today’s world, leaving space for self-care, reflection, and restoration is more important than ever. Public spas and salons provide pampering but don’t offer the privacy or intimacy you can get in a home spa. Customized at-home spas take relaxation treatments from standard to serene splendor. Creating a relaxing oasis powered by smart home tech is a modern way to get the benefits of a commercial spa without having to leave the comfort of your own home.
