5 secrets to relaxing at home like in a hotel spa.

Zannier Hotels Coral Reef is a unique, high-end resort located in a secluded nature reserve in Phu Yen province. It is also one of Vietnam's first 5-star resort projects fully committed to the concept of "sustainable hotels".

Recently, Zannier Hotels and the head of their Spa services, Ms. Dao Thi Ngoc Ha, compiled five tips to help relieve stress at home. Based on the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space, Ms. Ngoc Ha hopes that everyone will soon experience moments of "healing," much like enjoying a relaxing vacation at a picturesque beach hotel.

First, to maximize the effectiveness of the exercises, find yourself a comfortable and quiet space, add some soft music or the sound of ocean waves to create a sense of peace. If possible, light scented candles with a sea breeze or a hint of summer scent in a room with a window to ensure good ventilation. Now, you can begin.

The Air Element - Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises are commonly known for their ability to calm the mind and relieve anxiety. Practicing abdominal breathing is the first and simplest step you can take at home. Once you've mastered it, you can combine it with meditation or yoga to free your mind and regain balance.

Breathe using your diaphragm.Place one hand on your stomach, just below your ribs, and the other hand on your chest. Inhale deeply through your nose and let your stomach push your hand outward. Keep your chest still. Exhale with your lips pursed as if you were whistling. Feel the hand on your stomach move inward and use it to push all the air out. Repeat 3 to 10 times with slow, steady movements.

You can practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique while sitting or lying down. Inhale deeply and slowly from your abdomen in a 1 to 4 rhythm, hold your breath from 1 to 7, and exhale completely while silently counting from 1 to 8. Repeat 3 to 7 times or until you feel calmer. Typically, in yoga classes at hotels or resorts, you will be guided by an expert or instructor and practice for about 60 minutes.

Earth Element - Foot reflexology

Lie down and absorb the energy of the earth with the help of foot reflexology. This self-massage technique will help you find balance and focus on yourself through small and simple gestures.

To begin relaxing your body, start by massaging each foot for one minute. Use both hands to firmly massage the top of your foot, moving from the toes towards the ankle. Use both thumbs to press back and forth for 5 minutes on the reflex zone of the solar plexus. This area is located in the center of the foot, where the fleshy pads of the upper leg begin. Massage each toe by using your index finger to apply slow, deep pressure upwards to the tip of the toe.

Finally, hold the heel with one hand and massage with your thumb in an upward, downward, right-to-left, and vice versa motion. You can repeat these steps several times for 20-30 minutes.

Water Element - Yoga and meditation while bathing

Water has an amazing ability to help the body relax, and a bath or shower at home is the ideal place to unwind and enjoy some time for yourself. Combined with some yoga and meditation exercises, this time will truly become hours of absolute tranquility and relaxation.

Ways to relax in the bathtubFill the bathtub with warm water up to waist level, at 37 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal temperature to maintain balance and help reduce stress. A little tip: try adding a few drops of lavender essential oil and a pinch of salt to the bath to enhance the effectiveness of the exercise. These two ingredients have soothing properties and help detoxify the body from factors such as stress, improve the immune system, relax the autonomic nervous system, and reduce cortisol levels.

Begin by sitting cross-legged, with your hands on your knees, closing your eyes and looking straight ahead. Imagine a perfect scene and focus on your sensations – the sunlight on your skin, the tiny white grains of sand under your feet. Take a deep breath while simultaneously straightening your arms, clasping your hands together above your head, and pressing your palms together. Hold this position five times.

Next, grasp your right elbow with your left hand and your left elbow with your right hand. Maintain this posture five times; it will support your cervical spine and shoulder blades and help expand your lungs.

Ways to relax in the showerThis method allows you to use soaps to remove negative energy from your body. Because when you are clean, your body will cleanse itself of burdens and give you a chance to regenerate energy.

Apply soap/shower gel to your body while visualizing negative energy leaving your body and flowing away with the water. Stand still under the shower and take three deep breaths before opening your eyes. As the water flows down the back of your neck and along your spine, this stimulates the energy area that governs the cerebellum (a nerve center that regulates motor function). Your mind will focus on the sensation of the water sliding down your neck and freeing yourself from all constraints. Concentration is key at this moment!

Continue taking five more deep breaths. We will gradually feel a sense of peace and be ready to welcome positive and new ideas. Finish by taking a cold shower.

You can also get used to taking cold showers every morning or evening to energize your entire body and soothe your mind. Cold showers are also a great way to regulate the nervous system, improve blood circulation, and boost the immune system.

Fire Element - Candle

What could be more soothing than the soft glow of candles and the poetic sight of light reflecting off the walls? Turn off the lights, light a few candles, and enjoy the gentle light and the enveloping peace. Watching the flame dance on the candle for a few minutes can also help you concentrate more easily.

Space Element - Meditation

Repeat the following 6 steps 5 times for the best results. You can do this during your skincare routine and in the evening to enhance the effectiveness of the nutrients on your face.

Step 1: "Awaken" your facial muscles and begin to relax your skin by gently stroking your palms along the contours of your face.

Step 2: Activate blood circulation and lymphatic drainage using circular motions with your fingertips and gentle pressure. Start at the neck and stroke up to the jawline, before massaging around the face, gliding over the temples and forehead.

Step 3: Firm your face by placing your thumb on your chin. Gently press the skin between your index finger and thumb, then move up to your ear, along your jawline, and maintain pressure.

Step 4: Gently press your fingertips on the center of your forehead, then slide your fingers towards your temples in a zigzag motion, from the inside out.

Step 5: Relax the eye area by pressing two fingers on the inner corner of the eye. Maintain the pressure by drawing a half-circle below the eye, a semicircle above the eye, below the brow bone, and finish by drawing a full circle around the eye.

Step 6: If the nasolabial folds are too prominent, you can soften them by gently pressing along the crease with your fingertips, maintaining pressure while making small circles around the entire lip line.

According to Zannier Hotels' suggestion, you can also use a micro-needling device made from semi-precious stones with relaxing and soothing properties, such as amethyst or lepidolite.

Huyen Chau