We know stress and long hours take the lightness and joy out of a job we love. We know staying inside all winter gives us pale and rough skin. We know that staying outside too much can do damage to our exposed skin and make us appear to be older. We also know that when teenagers or adults ignore a daily routine of basic hygiene for only a day, they begin to experience multiple breakouts, body odor, and a dull, off-colored skin tone.
But did you know that your skin, muscles, cellular health, and ability to ward off illness are also affected when you are stressed and unhappy? It not only affects your outward appearance, it also impacts how your body and psyche perform. The discipline of making regular spa visits and enjoying treatments that you need may be the best investment of time and funds you can make for your overall health, wellbeing, and appearance. Projecting your best also does wonders for your self-esteem, endurance, resiliency, and joy of living. Here are the three best spa treatments you can invest in to get and stay health, happy, and confident. You can be spa-tacular!
Facials
Schedule a facial every 4-6 weeks. The deep facial process transforms your skin from the top down, reaching the deeper layers that regenerate and renew. The facial involves a few relaxing steps, done by a highly trained and knowledgeable technician with carefully chosen products to match your skin type, age, and present condition. Facials can bring your skin to its intended level of health and renewal in about a year, sometimes longer if you are fighting acne, sun damage, or aging. The facials work to slough off old, dead skin cells that dull the surface, take life out of your face, and rob you of the vitality of your appearance. Facials encourage regeneration of fresh, healthy, skin that glows and projects light, giving you the look and feel of attentiveness. You’ll love how you look in the mirror.
Microdermabrasion treatments
To speed up the process and results of facials or to address special skin problems, try a series of 4-6 microdermabrasion treatments, about two weeks apart. It’s simple and relaxing. A hand held device applies re-surfacing crystals, exfoliating and vacuuming up the waste, giving you many immediate and long-term benefits. Microdermabrasion opens clogged pores, exfoliates, and removes the dead skin cells that prevent moisture and the active ingredients in your skin care products from penetrating to the deeper layers where they are needed most. This process also sloughs off acne scaring, stretch marks, and pigment irregularities such as age and sun spots and minor skin conditions. It prepares your skin to better benefit from your daily skin regimen, polishes and gives your skin a bright, healthy glow.
Massages
No other spa treatment rejuvenates and regenerates the tired and achy mind and body like massages. The trick is to schedule them before the predictable stress moments in life, not in the middle or at the end. It will be far more beneficial to your productivity and enjoyment if you schedule the right massage before you jump into the stress of all those year-end holidays, crunch times at work, or a visit from the in-laws. Let your mind prepare and your body relax into all that will be expected of you during the busy and demanding schedule just around the corner.
Choose the right massage for you. Experiment to find the one you like best for each stress moment you anticipate.
- Swedish Massage Therapy uses long smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil. The therapist can also use the addition of one or more scented plant oils to address specific needs, energize, and reduce stress.
- Hot Stone Massage uses heated, smooth stones, placed to warm and loosen tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body.
- Deep Tissue Massage uses slower strokes across the grain of the muscle and are effective for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury.
- Shiatsu (fully clothed on a floor mat) is a Japanese method that uses localized finger pressure in a holding and rhythmic sequence to improve the flow of energy and regain balance.
- Thai Massage (fully clothed on a floor mat) aligns the energies of the body, pressure on specific points, and compressions and stretches in a sequence of postures.
- Sports Massage is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity and uses deep tissue massage and stretching to loosen muscles and increase flexibility.
With regular massages, you’ll face the stress moments in life with less reluctance, and your body will be relaxed and poised for the endurance marathon of your busy life.
Avail yourself regularly for these and other spa treatments to get healthier and to maintain your best well-rounded and productive self. You can feel and project a healthier, happier you when you are spa-tacular!
