Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

We have all heard about the benefits and importance of getting enough of this important vitamin. Some of the many ways we are all familiar with of doing this are diet, supplements, and exposure to sunlight.

Researchers are finding out that diet and Vitamin D supplements go hand in hand. According to a new Pfizer-funded study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, eating a meal with fat can actually enhance Vitamin D absorption. They found that Vitamin D is fat soluble and the absorption process is similar to that of dietary fats; so try including nuts, avocados, walnuts, flaxseeds, trout, herring, and salmon into a meal taken with Vitamin D supplements. Cooking with vegetable, canola, olive, or sunflower oil will also help you get the essential fats you need to give your supplements a boost in your system

Exposure to sunlight can be tricky and not as easy to do as one may think. Even though the days are getting longer, a lot of people leave for work early in the morning before the sun rises, stay indoors for lunch, and come home after the sun has set allowing them no time to "catch a few rays". Using sunscreen and deeply pigmented skin also limits the amount of Vitamin D your skin can absorb from sunlight. 

Another way of getting enough of this important vitamin is by using a Vitamin D Bed which utilizes UVB rays to stimulate natural Vitamin D production in your body. It's made even better because it has three more beneficial types of light which are red, blue, and infrared light. A lot of day spas now have these beds so call or stop in to your local spa and check to see if they have one...and book an appointment! This way you can be sure of getting enough of this most important vitamin!  

Secret to a good night's sleep!

We all know a deep, restorative sleep can do wonders not only for our physical but our mental well being. Not getting enough good sleep can make for a groggy feeling in the morning; carrying over through the day affecting our work and personal lives. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), we're a nation of toss and turners with more than half of American adults saying they have trouble falling asleep or frequently wake during the night several nights a week. Even those whose sleep is peaceful aren't getting enough of it. 

Starting a sleep diary for the coming week can help you to identify poor sleep habits and to take the necessary steps to correct them. Some of those poor habits might include: snacking before bed; caffeine through the whole day and after dinner; leaving tv, computer, and tablet screens on at night in the bedroom; not going to bed when starting to feel sleepy but instead waiting till overly sleepy; getting less than seven hours of sleep.

Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day; a walk after dinner; light reading; a warm bath; a relaxing massage; a soothing session in a sauna are just a few of the things that can help you get that good night's sleep that you need...and deserve! 

Stop by or call your local day spa and book yourself an appointment for that relaxing massage or a soothing session in a sauna and before you know it, you'll be off to dreamland to get fully rested and ready for the next day. 

Benefits of Body Scrubs and Wraps!

Spring is here with summer not far behind. Time to get that winter dry skin all polished and glowing again. How best to do that? With a wonderful, relaxing, and invigorating Body Scrub or Wrap. 

A scrub works in a few ways. The exfoliating granules or a Dead Sea Salt solution is massaged all over the body to help slough off dead skin, boost circulation, and increase blood flow to the skin's surface. After showering, the body is dried off, moisturizer is applied, and massaged; leaving the skin glowing, soft, and extremely smooth. 

Wraps can be done most commonly with volcano ash mud or seaweed. The product is applied to the body, which is then cocooned in a space blanket. The client relaxes for approximately 15 to 20 minutes after which the blanket and mud is removed with hot wet towels, the body dried off, moisturizer is applied, and massaged. These wraps leave the skin tighter, hydrated, and smoother looking through detoxification of the skin tissues by the trace elements and minerals found in these products.

So call your local day spa and book an appointment for either a Body Scrub or Wrap and get your skin ready for the summer months ahead. You will love it and most of all...so will your skin!  

Summer is almost here!

Yes...that's right. Summer is just around the corner bringing with it lots of sunshine and warmer days. Time to get your legs ready for the beach, bathing suits, skirts, and shorts. Which means getting rid of unwanted hair.

There are many different methods of hair removal but for longer lasting results, waxing is the best way to go. It leaves a softer, smoother look to your legs and arms allowing for more even tanning.

When removing facial hair, and are using products like Retin-A or Accutane, is your skin more sensitive to waxing?...then Threading is a great alternative for you. Threading is an ancient technique and a process in which unwanted facial hair is removed by using twisted 100% cotton thread to pull the hair from the follicle, lasting up to 4 weeks...and is less painful than waxing and more precise!

Check in with your local day spa and make an appointment for waxing and/or Threading and let's get rid of that unwanted hair...remember, Summer is almost here!

It's Spring! Treat your feet to a pedicure!

Even though it is still a bit cold outside, Spring has officially arrived. That means that Summer is not far behind bringing with it warmer weather and sunshine.  

After the harsh winter we had this past season, it's time to get your toes and feet in shape with a relaxing, rejuvenating, and hydrating pedicure. Being in boots most days and indoor drying heat plays havoc with your feet causing them to become dry and itchy with callus buildup at an all time high. 

Call your local day spa and make an appointment for a pedicure which will help hydrate and smooth your feet and toes so they will look and feel their best when sandal weather arrives. For an added benefit and special treat, ask about adding a paraffin wax treatment. You will love it and most importantly...so will your feet!

Remember...it's Spring...time to check into your local day spa and treat your feet to a pedicure. And don't forget to check all the beautiful new Spring shades of nail color!

Music can change your day...

Is there music playing where you are right now? If not, you may be missing the opportunity to energize or calm the way your day is going. Music is good for your mind and body and is one of the most potent life-enhancers around. 

Take some time to think about what you want to feel or accomplish and choose those sounds that help you do that. Favorite tunes cue your brain to release dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel good, and that's a boost anyone can use at any time.  

Sitting in traffic and getting irritated by the minute? Try something soft and soothing. Having trouble getting to sleep? Try some classical 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. Not in the mood to exercise? Try something up beat to quicken your pace and make you fly through a workout. 

Remember too, getting a massage, facial, or relaxing in a sauna, at your local day spa, can all be enhanced by music to make that service more enjoyable!
Most day spas have a wide range of music selections to choose from, so check with them on your next visit...and remember, music can change your day!

Day Spas...not for women only!

Women have always known the many relaxing and restoring benefits of a day spa; however, that is not the case with the majority of men. To many of them, it's a foreign world where they don't have any idea of what to expect. They probably have heard of and know about manicures, pedicures, facials, etc., but in all likelihood think "that's for women and definitely not for me."

Now we all know that is just not the case. More and more men are taking care of themselves, as they know it will allow them to better take on the daily stresses of life. Once they realize how relaxing a visit to the spa can be, they get over the fear of the unknown. In addition to their workouts; massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, and saunas are now be a part of a man's healthy routine.

Aching and sore back? Get a deep tissue massage followed by a hot sauna to relieve and relax all that muscle pain.

On your feet all day? Refresh them and put a spring back in your step with a pedicure.

Many day spas offer couple's massage, which can be a great introduction for a man to a spa. Day Spas...not for women only!

Call your local day spa now and check out all the services they offer, and don't forget to ask about any special packages they have for men.