Don’t despair if you’re in need of some serious relaxation…but the hottest spa treatments are out of your price range. For a fraction of the cost, you can create a spa-like atmosphere at home with inexpensive mixtures of food, essential oils and more! Start your day with coffee and fruit – more specifically, a coffee body scrub and exfoliating papaya face mask. Take two cups of ground coffee and mix with half a cup of raw sugar, plus a couple of tablespoons of olive or apricot kernel oil. Take a warm shower to allow pores to open and apply the mixture to your body, rubbing on problem spots like elbows, knees and feet. Rinse and pat dry. Apply your favorite lotion or make your own post-shower oil. Use sesame, jojoba or mineral oil mixed with a few drops of citrusy essential oil. For your face, mash up half a papaya finely. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil, take off heat and lean over it once it reaches a comfortable temperature. Put a bath towel over your head to capture the steam and open pores on your face. After 5 minutes, apply papaya and lie down to relax for 10 minutes.

Rinse off and apply your favorite moisturizer. Feel free to give yourself a manicure and pedicure, do some yoga or whatever other relaxing treatments you like during the day. As you wind down at the day’s end, why not take a scented shower? Wet an extra washcloth and apply five drops of lavender aromatherapy oil. Place it in the corner of the shower and run hot water until the bathroom is steamy. Adjust the temperature and take a relaxing shower. Continue your aromatherapy as you sleep by putting a few drops of lavender, vetiver, sandalwood, chamomile or other relaxing scent on a dry washcloth and slipping it under your pillow. You’ll be relaxed and in dreamland in no time!