It is safe to say, many of us are skipping the holiday destinations this year. COVID-19 has affected us in so many ways, and the stress can be immense – which is exactly why we need a good holiday. So, what do we do? We have one at home – a stay-cation.
We know, we don’t all have heated pools or beachfront views – and some of us are still dreaming about up-sizing from small apartments to something positively suburban… However, with a few minor tweaks and a bit of imagination, you can make your home into a perfectly zen, space of relaxation – and here is how!
Humidifier / steamer / purifier
You can almost smell it can’t you? The ocean or the bush, or wherever you like to be when on holiday. The fresh air – even if a bit salty or with the smell of trees – is what we are getting at. And this air, could be somewhat humid too. Some of us are already battling with the sniffles, so we might as well make the best of it.
A humidifier or steamer, can transform the air in your home. If you happen to be ill, you can add some VAPOL Breathe Easy drops. Otherwise, a variety of things can be added to boost the aroma in your home – think about essential oils, a lemon peel, some peppermint etc. If you are scared of anything ending up where its not supposed to, try the “teabag” method. You can get a mesh-like material pouch and put everything you want inside, before adding it to the water container. To refresh, take out the pouch and replace the contents. A plastic hook-pin can securely shut the pouch.
If you live in a place that is already humid, you can opt for an air purifier instead.
Make sure to clean out your machine at least once every 3 days to prevent any build up of bacteria or fungal spores.
Read more: Vapol Breathe Easy Drops – Keep calm and help your baby breathe better
Diffuser
Diffusers are great at keeping areas throughout the home smelling fresh and inviting. If you are going for the luxury experience, you can add a diffuser in each bathroom and in the common areas of your home.
The Charlotte Rhys Atmosphere diffuser can infuse your surroundings with a beautiful fragrance month after month. Simply invert the reeds to refresh the scent! It is available at Mopani Pharmacy in a range of irresistible fragrances.
Essential oils
A potent mix of eucalyptus, lemon grass and peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle not only gives you a burst of nature, but protection from it! Yes, these scents are known to repel most bugs that may choose to make your house their home.
Mopani Pharmacy has a wide range of essential oils available, from lavender to rosemary – you name it! You can make your home smell like a Japanese spa, or a Caribbean island – the applications are endless.
Add it to your bath water, your humidifier, your linen, your curtains and your couch! A few drops in your mop-bucket will give your home that special touch.
Sweets and chocolates … and Baking!
What is a hotel experience without a chocolate on the pillow? Alright, not everyone has a sweet tooth, but a nice treat can make all the difference. What is a holiday if not remembered by all the delicious things you ate? We stock a variety of sweet treats, nuts and chocolates.
For those who are health conscious, check out our health food section. Sugar free snacks and alternative ingredients to be used in baking, means that you can have some of the yum, without the bum!
Coffee machine and Coffee
We’ve all camped in the back yard, but the very best part was waking up to a hot cup of coffee. We could be authentic and boil water on a fire – but we are opting for some luxury. This is merely for safety purposes and has nothing to do with the fact that it requires too much effort, of course. Get that percolator going and sip on a hot cup of Bluebird coffee! Available in beans and grounded blends, this happens to be a local favourite, sold at Mopani. While you are at it, have one of those almond flour cookies you baked from the health food section ingredients, to dunk in your coffee!
In case you really are camping out in the garden and trying to get the whole experience, make sure you have your eco-bamboo cup, so you don’t break any mugs.
Read more: How to spruce up your home brewed coffee
Candles
Candles can be so romantic and create that lovely ambiance of a lovely couple’s getaway. A bug repellent candle like our Fever Tree range comes in a variety of scents and hits two flies with one flame, figuratively speaking. Not only will you have a lovely candle with a beautiful scent, there will be far fewer mosquitos and bugs to… well… bug you!
Tub time!
What better way to pretend you are at a spa than to relax in a bathtub with some cucumbers on your eyes and a facemask to pamper your pores? Add a bath bomb, bubble bath, Epsom salts by Dr Teals or lavender essential oils to the mix for the ultimate experience!
Not recommended all at once of course, that might be an assault to the senses. But with all of these things, you will have a way to make tub time special, every day!
You will come out refreshed, relaxed and ready to do… absolutely nothing.
It’s time for your stay-cation massage!
Now, what spa stay-cation is complete without a massage and some beauty treatments? You might not have a masseuse at home, but a partner or child will do in a pinch! You can pay them with your healthy baked goods, or the snacks from Mopani.
For this, you can improvise. Get a good mani / pedi kit. This should include something like a nail file, some nail clippers, a nice nail polish in the colour you like (if applicable), a heel balm and some hand lotion. We love the Trind Caring Colour Nail Lacquer in particular.
After your hands and feet are done, you can get a full body massage. For this, you can really use anything you are comfortable with. If you don’t like a greasy feeling of thicker creams, you can opt for a light, water-based lotion.
If you want a thicker, deep penetrating hydration cream, try something like Bee Natural Luxurious Body Butter.
Many people are all about massage oils – you can use coconut oil, essential oils such as Jojoba or even olive oil, but you may need a shower to get the grease off, afterwards.
Otherwise, skip the home treatment and have an outing to the Mopani Salon at our Crossing Centre Store. Our talented cosmetologists can offer top to toe treatments to make your toes curl and to get the ultimate relaxation.
Book your appointment with Rozanne on 082 561 7926 or Antoinette on 082 920 6086.
For good measure, have the kids clean up the house while you are gone, so you can come home to a stay-cation zen-zone!
PS
This is not really the holiday we wished for but, we can make the best of our stay-cation, with the help of a few items.
Most of the products mentioned is available for purchase at Mopani Pharmacy in-store or can be shopped online.
We can deliver your stay-cation accessories and other Mopani online shopping, nationwide! Contact us for info: mopani.co.za | crossing@mopani.co.za | Tel: 013 755 5500 | WhatsApp: 066-192-1703