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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think a ‘spa day’ sounds pretty miserable, really?

150 replies

53rdWay · 01/08/2019 17:36

I just do not get why these are supposed to be relaxing. Or why they’re the MN cliche recommendation for frazzled mothers especially. People massaging you! And faffing around with your fingernails and toenails! And plastering your face in goo! If I wanted to be touched all the time and have yoghurt rubbed into my face I could just stay at home with my children.

I know different people like different things and all (although if you disagree with me you are objectively wrong obvs), but are there other people who shudder at the very thought of spa treatments?

OP posts:

PlinketyPlinketyPlonk · 01/08/2019 17:58

I'm with you OP. Never been to one because the idea of shuffling around in nothing but a dressing gown having strangers faff with me and my personal space for several hours, while trapped in a claustrophobic sweaty prison playing irritating tinkly harp music on loop, is not my idea of relaxing.

Got one coming up for a friends birthday soon though. Ugh!! Already worrying about being half naked while having to clamber on & off the salon beds. It's not going to be pretty!

Nottheduchess · 01/08/2019 17:59

Never thought I’d like a spa day until I had a spa day!!!

Cutesbabasmummy · 01/08/2019 18:01

Ragdale Hall is one of my favourite places! Utter bliss!

Sniv · 01/08/2019 18:02

I do like a good spa day, but they're only nice as a break from every day life.

On the other hand, if you're going through a genuine crisis, having a day of forced inactivity with lots of time to think, but nothing to do is probably a horrible idea for most people. So yeah, when people suggest a spa day as the cure-all for someone who's just found out that their spouse is cheating, and has lots of painful, life-altering decisions to make...just no. Hard enough to do that at home, never mind alone, lying on a damp lounger, in a pair of soggy slippers you may have accidentally swapped with a stranger, surrounded by people reading Cosmo and having cocktails...

Cyclemad222 · 01/08/2019 18:04

I think you can distinguish between a spa day focused on relaxation and one focused on beauty.

A beauty day will have all the touchy stuff - nail varnishing, facials etc. A relaxation one might have a massage thrown in but is mainly about doing absolutely nothing other than existing and feeling warm.

Plus saunas are really good for you, you sweat all the filth out. I challenge anyone not to feel better after, even if you don't enjoy the experience in itself.

Ronnie27 · 01/08/2019 18:04

I love it! But then my life is like a whirlwind at the moment, renovations, sports, full on job, kids. Any opportunity to lie around and be stroked for a few hours will be gratefully seized.

PlinkPlink · 01/08/2019 18:05

I had a breakdown in my 20s.

I went to a holistic massage therapist in a bid to relax, help my anxiety and get some fucking sleep. Insomnia was a bitch to deal with.

It bloody well worked. Some time to myself. Some peace and quiet. Lovely aromatherapy oils. Chilled out whale music in the background.

It made a world of difference to me and I'd highly recommend it to someone who had depression and anxiety.

A spa day now only exists in my dreams. Impossible to get one now I have DS 😂

Alsohuman · 01/08/2019 18:05

Once was enough. I was bored shitless.

MT2017 · 01/08/2019 18:09

YABsoU!

fraxion · 01/08/2019 18:32

I got the gift of a spa day at a very posh hotel for my birthday. Looking forward to it and have booked it for just before we go on holiday. Body exfoliation, massage, facial, manicure and pedicure as well as lunch. We get two free spa treatments per day each at the hotel we are staying for the last ten nights of our holiday. Husband is more excited about that than me .

Janiiiiiiice · 01/08/2019 18:37

I love a spa day. They're always quiet and peaceful, they have nice pools, I enjoy a massage, they smell good. It's ok if that isn't your thing though!

EssentialHummus · 01/08/2019 18:39

If I wanted to be touched all the time and have yoghurt rubbed into my face I could just stay at home with my children.

Thank you for that OP . DH keeps offering to send me on one. My equivalent would be a few hundred £ to go shopping in peace followed by lunch for one at somewhere a bit special, then a taxi home.

UsedtobeFeckless · 01/08/2019 18:40

Never fancied one before but now l'm thinking maybe l do ...

Choice4567 · 01/08/2019 18:42

@53rdWay it’s just so nice. The pool / steam rooms are quiet. You can just sit there and nobody talks to you and it’s heaven. Then you go and get a coffee and come back and read your book. More quiet! It’s just the best day

SudowoodoVoodoo · 01/08/2019 18:42

Fortunately most massage therapists have more skill than hyper children and better products than yoghurt

I'm trying to train my touchy-feely child in how to massage, but it's a long term project...

MrsAJCrowley · 01/08/2019 18:43

I love a good steam room and a nice lunch. That’s my favourite bit of a spa day! I’ve only ever had one treatment that was any good (an Elemis facial - absolute bliss) but all of the body massages I have had have been absolutely awful! I tell them that I like a firm pressure but half the time it just feels like they are wafting over me! Definitely think it’s depends on where you go but I have always gone with friends and that makes up for the crappy massage and we always have a good laugh

Aria2015 · 01/08/2019 18:46

Love a spa day but I wouldn't want to do it on my own. Always fun with a couple of girlfriends though followed by so.e drinks!

sammylady37 · 01/08/2019 18:47

Oh I love spa days. You’ve just prompted me to book my next one!

WickedGoodDoge · 01/08/2019 18:49

I used to love spa days! Then I had children and went completely off them. Don’t know why but I can’t think of many worse ways to spend my time.

elprup · 01/08/2019 18:52

I'm middle aged and have never been on one!

legolimb · 01/08/2019 18:55

Spa days aren't for me either.

I spent much of my adult life with acne, face and back, chest, shoulders. So no way would I want to splash about with it all visible.

Also I don't like to be touched on any fat bits. If DH puts his hand on my stomach or anywhere that isn't as flat as it could be I tense up and try and suck it in.

Imo Spa days are for the body confident.

feelingverylazytoday · 01/08/2019 18:56

It sounds very boring to me. I had a sauna once, and that was absolutely horrible. Never again.
I'm not into beauty stuff, so that side of it wouldn't appeal to me. I love swimming, so if there was a swimming pool I'd just spend my time in there. Obviously that would be a massive waste of money though, as I already have a membership at my local leisure centre.

Sunshinegirl82 · 01/08/2019 19:05

Love a spa day! I go as often as possible! If I won the lottery I'd be there once a month minimum and I'd have the works. Massage, facial, nails, all of it!

transformandriseup · 01/08/2019 19:07

My work colleagues surprised me with a spa day for my hen party before I got married. They were lovely colleagues and it was one of the best days I’ve ever had.

I think it depends on who you are with.

IHaveBrilloHair · 01/08/2019 19:10

No, no, no and never.
Sitting around in the damp with other people's foot skin lurking, and paying strangers to poke at me, and rabbit food for lunch.
People pay a couple of hundred quid for this?

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