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It’s 6:45 p.m. The last email has been answered; the voicemail is empty, the weekend is stretching out before you, and you’re one short drive away from the comfort of your home. After a long week of meetings, crisis management, and doom-scrolling, you’re finally heading into rest and relaxation.

So many of us are rushing from one place to the next that the concept of relaxation has begun to acquire an odd sense of busyness—you drive to the spa, check in, work out, shower, do the red-light therapy—all while monitoring your smartwatch. You’re taking care of your body, but your mind is working as hard as ever.

The trend of being-on-while-off may be why we’re seeing such an uptick in the number of home wellness retreats. The convenience and customization of home gyms are now being applied to home spas. Homeowners are upgrading with amenities like saunas, cryotubs, and meditation rooms. For busy people with tight schedules and limited downtime, the flexibility and customization of an at-home retreat are an ideal solution—the question is, where to start?

For an investment that yields physical and mental benefits, you can’t beat an outdoor sauna.  Generally, there are two kinds: traditional and infrared. You’re probably familiar with the traditional sauna—it’s made of wood and uses a stove to heat sauna rocks, which in turn heats the air in the sauna, which (you guessed it!) heats you. The infrared sauna works a bit differently: it’s also made of wood, but instead of a stove, it uses infrared lamps that emit electromagnetic radiation to heat the body directly, allowing for deeper muscle and joint relief with less ambient heat.

In both saunas, the intense heat relaxes muscles, easing tension and relieving pain; the perspiration is a natural detoxifier, and the quiet stillness of the chamber promotes mental calm and clarity. (Just be sure to bring a water bottle—dehydration will undo it all!) Looking for a natural reset? Follow up your sauna session with an ice-cold shower—contrasting intense heat with extreme cold has been used to reduce inflammation and promote good health for thousands of years! An at-home sauna allows you to enjoy all the benefits of sauna therapy in the privacy and comfort of your home, while maximizing your ability to rest and recharge in the soothing atmosphere of your backyard.

The best part? They’re fully customizable, allowing you total creative control over size, materials, and location. It can be large enough for your family, or compact for a more reflective experience. Weatherproof woods like cedar and spruce can be stained to integrate naturally with your outdoor space and create an organic feel. Glass doors or windows make even a small sauna feel more open, and smart technology allows integrated mechanisms that blend seamlessly with the structure to be controlled from your phone.