When was the last time you took a full day just for YOU? These days, we’re accustomed to using our PTO days for traveling to weddings and bachelorette parties or dedicating Saturdays and Sundays to birthday brunches and errands. We run ourselves down without realizing it, and that’s why it’s crucial to take a self care day!

I recently spent a day relaxing at the Salamander Spa at Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort, and let me tell you it was EXACTLY the break I needed amongst this crazy busy summer. It’s the first time I truly took a spa day for myself, and it inspired me to share my main takeaways on how to plan your perfect day.

The most important part of your self care day is to make a plan ahead of time. This will allow you to go on autopilot and truly enjoy yourself when the day comes. There’s nothing worse than having a free day and then wasting half of it stressing about what to do with yourself.

Now let’s get to planning your perfect self care day (because you deserve it, gf!)

1. What do YOU need?

Self-care looks different for everyone, so it’s important to take a step back and think about what YOU personally need. Maybe your back has been tight from work stress and you really need a massage, or your feet are killing you from all those workouts so an intensive pedi sounds like heaven.

Since I’ve been working out a lot lately, I thought an exfoliating facial would be the perfect solution to refresh my face and remove impurities. I opted for the Eminence Vitaskin Facial at Salamander Spa. I was so relaxed and comfy in the reclining bed (yes, the kind that lifts your feet and takes all the pressure off your back!) that I was in a state of euphoria the entire time.

Write down a list of what you feel your body needs, and start there. While I know it’s not realistic to do ALL the things we want ($$$$), it’s helpful to prioritize so that you can make the most of your self care day.

2. Find a Spa with Perks

Depending on the spa you choose, there may be extra perks included with your treatment(s). A lot of spas also offer package options to help you get more bang for your buck.

At the Salamander Spa, the eucalyptus steam room, relaxing whirlpool, and lounge area were all included with my facial treatment. Finding a spa that includes amenities like this is key to making the most of your self care day! You want to maximize that robe time, girl!

The Salamander Spa also offers yoga classes on their outdoor terrace. I never would have thought to do this, but starting my self care day with a relaxing yoga class was the perfect way to bring me into my body and reset my mind for the day ahead.

3. Make a [loose] Schedule

Like I said, there’s nothing worse than spending half of your “me” day stressing about what to do with your “me” time. Plan ahead for your self care day by making appointments and researching amenities in advance.

Of course, there is something to be said with a “do what you feel” type of free day, but I like to at least keep a loose schedule for what my day will look like so that I can make the most of it.

Here’s what my self care day schedule looked like at the Salamander Spa:

• 8:30am – yoga class
• Breakfast smoothie to refuel, change into spa robe
• 10am – facial
• Post-facial – relax in the whirlpool and steam room
• 12pm – lunch

After my spa day, I went home and took a nice nap because it felt like what my body was craving. It was the perfect day to refresh and relax!

4. Invite Your Friends

Who says a self care day has to be a solo mission? It’s always nice to have a day to yourself, but inviting your gal pals or significant other can make a spa day so much more fun! The Salamander Spa had a gorgeous couples massage room, and most spas have some sort of package deal for couples and groups!

A few last tips for making the most of your day…

Leave that phone in the locker (or better yet, the car!) during your self care day. It’s so important to take a break from social media, group chats, etc. and just truly enjoy the time with yourself.

Another way I maximize my self-care time is to try to accomplish whatever is on my to-do list BEFORE my planned self care day. This includes making sure my laundry is done, tidying up the house, etc. It’s easier to tune out and enjoy your self-care day when you’re not stressing over your to-do list in your head.

I hope you feel inspired to plan a day for you, filled with whatever self care practices that will serve you. We’re all guilty of taking on too much and hopping on the “busy” train, so taking a day out to refresh and re-energize is crucial to our mental wellbeing and happiness!

I’d love to hear what your favorite self care rituals are and how you plan for your self care day! Share in the comments below!

xx