The Spa

In addition to traditional spa services such as massages and facials, some spas offer access to a mineral bath. If you do not care for massages, a soothing bath can be a great alternative. A spa bath is a full body treatment, but you have control over the entire experience. Of course, if you enjoy massages, you can give yourself a special treat by booking a spa package that covers both services. After your muscles have been worked and soothed, you can slip into a warm mineral bath to finish your day. A trip to a spa with a bath also makes a great gift for anyone who deserves a day of relaxation.

Because the mineral bath has a special pH, you will most likely be asked to rinse off in the shower before entering the bath. If you forget to bring your own towel from home, you might be asked to rent one from the spa facility. This is usually a small fee, but you might be asked to leave a form of id at the desk or pay a deposit fee.

Mineral baths are not only relaxing, but they can also be good for you as well. If the spa bath is supplied by a natural spring, the water should be full of minerals that can improve the look and feel of your skin and hair.

Although every spa is different, most spas that have mineral baths offer many other services as well. You will be able to start your day with a manicure or pedicure, spend time in the baths, and then have a light spa lunch before you return to the real world.

Most spas that have special baths have several pools of varying temperature. There is usually a larger pool of medium temperature, a hot tub, and a cold plunge pool. The cold plunge pool can be particularly refreshing if you jump into it after relaxing in a hot sauna. Never enter a very hot tub or a very cold one if you feel faint, dizzy, or tired. If you have a heart condition or a circulation problem, talk to your doctor about your spa plans before you book your next spa day package. For most healthy individuals, however, a trip to the baths can be an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

Tags: health and fitness, massage, pamper days, saunas, spa, spa breaks, spa days, spa deals, wellbeing

A Valentine Surprise

Instead of a card or bouquet of flowers this Valentine’s Day, give your significant other a truly memorable gift. When you give someone a spa day, you give that person a day of escape. Life can be stressful. A spa day can be a great break from a hectic life. Although you could give a gift certificate for a single service or treatment, giving a whole spa day is a much more meaningful gesture. When you give someone a spa day, you are not just giving them a simple gift. You are letting that person know that you understand that they work hard and deserve a break. A spa day makes anyone feel loved and appreciated. This makes a spa day the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

Many spas offer special discounted packages if you book an entire spa day. For the price of two or three individual treatments, you can send your partner to the spa for an entire day. Of course, you can let your loved one think that the gift was expensive if you like. There is no need to tell your loved one that you got a good deal on this Valentine’s Day present.

Although you can buy a spa day for your significant other as a gift, to make this Valentine’s Day even more special consider going to the spa with your partner. A spa day will give you the opportunity to relax and enjoy spending time with each other. This is what Valentine’s Day is all about. Many spas offer special treatments for couples. You can enjoy a massage or get a special facial together.

If you do not think that you would enjoy a spa day, maybe you should reconsider your opinion. Spas today offer more options than ever before. Spas do not just offer facials and massages anymore. Although traditional treatments are still widely available, most spas have expanded their offerings. You could take a fitness class or simply relax in a sauna. If you hate massages but your partner loves them, the two of you can still enjoy a spa day together. You can spend time getting an individual treatment and then rejoin your loved one later in the day.
After a spa day, your partner will feel loved, pampered, and beautiful, and that is what the perfect Valentine’s Day gift should do.

Tags: health and fitness, massage, pamper days, saunas, spa, spa breaks, spa days, spa deals, wellbeing

Rebalancing your world

SCHEDULE A SPA DAY TO REBALANCE YOUR LIFE
When the fast pace of life seems overwhelming and your stress level is off the charts, your mind and body may need to wind down. With so many stress factors in our daily lives it is no wonder that we find little time to relax and enjoy the moment. A day at a spa can bring balance back into your life by allowing you to de-stress, detoxify and relax.

When you have too much stress, it can rear its nasty head with ailments such as headaches, forgetfulness, sleep problems and lack of focus just to name a few. Behavioural issues can also surface with angry outbursts, increased smoking and even crying.

Once you are aware that stress might be affecting your day to day quality of life, you can in fact make changes in your lifestyle to rebalance your life and be able to enjoy yourself once again.

The first step in rebalancing your life is to make the decision to take care of yourself. Give yourself permission to enjoy some down time. A spa day is a great way to de-stress and relax. Spas offer personalized pampering including massages, facials and body wraps. Many spas even offer classes such as Martial Arts classes, healthy cooking classes, yoga, and general health and fitness programs.

Things to consider when going to a spa to rebalance and de-stress your life:

1. Try to schedule your spa appointment during a time that is not so busy. Ask the receptionist to recommend the best off-peak times for appointments.

2. Enjoy a light meal before your spa appointment. It is difficult to relax when you are overly hungry or overly full. Also, drink plenty of water so you are well hydrated.

3. Make certain to arrive a few minutes prior to your appointment. Rushing around trying to get to the appointment on time will sabotage the desired outcome of a spa treatment.

4. Wear comfortable clothes. Also, if the spa offers a hot tub or sauna, you may wish to bring a bathing suit.

5. Free your mind of the problems which have created your stress. Also, turn off the cell phone. Focus on restoring your energy and rebalancing your life.

By treating yourself to a spa day, you can relieve muscle tension, relax the mind and body with a massage and even detoxify and revive your body with a body wrap. Whatever relaxation method you choose, you are taking the first step towards rebalancing your life and taking care of yourself which will improve your overall health and wellbeing.

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Why Do We Need To Relax?

The effects of stress are well-documented and can have an effect on body, mind, and spirit. If not counteracted, the cumulative result can cause major health problems, to include heart disease, high blood pressure, and a compromised immune system. Depression and chronic anxiety can often result from unrelieved stress, and many people don’t realize just how stressed their life has become.

If this isn’t enough to illustrate why we need to relax, other symptoms of stress overload are forgetfulness, lack of focus, and physical symptoms could include headaches, backaches, chest pain, stomach upset, and sleep problems. These all exacerbate the cycle of stress. How can you manage stress and reduce or even eliminate these persistent and disruptive manifestations?

1.      Physical activity: Many experts suggest as little as 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week is enough to help reduce the symptoms of stress. Martial arts classes, dance classes, or even a simple walk on a regular basis are all fun ways to incorporate exercise into a busy life.

2.      Nutrition: You are what you eat. Regular and healthy meals and snacks help to regulate the blood sugar level, as well as providing the proper nutrition to support a healthy immune system. Even small changes like eliminating junk food can make a big difference.

3.      Relaxation: Besides a daily meditation, a regular “time out” at a spa or other mini-retreat can work wonders. This is not an indulgence. Just a few hours away from it all can have long lasting benefits.

It is easy to put our own needs behind the needs of others, but in the case of an overload of stress with all the physical problems that can result, taking the time to relax and attend to our own needs is imperative. Taking time for yourself is not selfish – it is necessary to remain healthy and able to take care of others.

Life can often feel out of control and stress can manifest itself in ways that remain insidious until the physical and mental symptoms become too great to ignore. By taking a proactive stance and making small changes now may mean better health, a better attitude, and a better life.

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The History of the Spa

Whether it is a Japanese onsen, a Finnish sauna, an ancient Greek laconica or a modern day spa, the spa by any name is associated with bathing rituals, healing and relaxation. The spa traditionally has been considered a place for medicinal healing in mineral waters; the word itself probably came from the site of Spa, Belgium, known for its therapeutic mineral hot springs.

The ancient Greeks had heated baths associated with the gymnasia. The laconium, or sweat bath, was part of a series of rooms for cleansing, plunging and last, relaxation. The ancient architect Vitruvius provides details about the proper placement and measurements for Greek baths.

The Romans elevated the bath or balneum from a small, simple community facility to grand multi-roomed complexes or thermae, with rooms of heated, tepid and cold water, libraries, refreshments and meeting rooms. These elaborate spas were built throughout the Roman Empire and are found as far as England and Africa. Bath, England, is home to elaborate Roman baths built on a natural thermal spring at the Temple of Minerva, today part of the Bath World Heritage Site. Roman baths in the Middle East evolved into the Islamic hammam, and became associated with ritual purification associated with the mosques.

The popularity of bathing waned in the Middle Ages; however, the spa at Aachen, built by Charlemagne in about 770 A.D. over earlier Roman baths, was used for healing, socializing and relaxation not only by the emperor, but throughout the ages. Although it waned in popularity for a time, by the late 1500’s it became known not only for its bathing properties but the medicinal qualities of the water for drinking. Aachen was visited by people from all walks of life and was one of the most popular spas in Europe.

The Native Americans used hot springs and sweat lodges for medicinal healing and purification. Spas gained popularity in North America in the 1800’s, and many mineral springs were converted to spas. One of the more famous was at Saratoga Springs, New York, but spas were built around mineral springs in almost every state as the country expanded westward.

Today the spa has many uses. From luxurious health resorts to specialized day spas, visitors can experience anything from Indian Ayurveda treatments to yoga or weight loss and diet clinics. No matter the specialty, the spa remains associated with body rituals, health and relaxation.

Tags: health and fitness, massage, pamper days, saunas, spa, spa breaks, spa days, spa deals, wellbeing