June is almost here!

Yes...June is just around the corner bringing with it the official start of summer and the celebration of Father's Day!

What to get Dad? How about something different than just the usual tie or shirt? A great massage with a relaxing sauna afterward to help soothe sore muscles...a pedicure for his tired feet that he is on all day hard at work...or even perhaps a refreshing facial to make him feel special.

Check in or call your local day spa to see what services they may have that might appeal to Dad and to treat him to something different!

What exactly is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the art and science of essential oils which have been extracted and distilled from flowers, stems, leaves, barks, roots, herbs, and has been in use for thousands of years. Yes, thousands of years! 

Over 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians were using such oils as frankincense, cinnamon, and myrrh and in 1920 when the tomb of Tutankhamen was opened, they discovered a jar of what they believed to be Egyptian perfume. It still smelled faintly sweet when they opened it and turned out to contain frankincense and spikenard.

The ancient Greeks and Romans used aromatic oils in their daily lives for healing, home care, body care, and beauty. 

Today, research can now prove there's a real science behind these ancient remedies, and plants have potential healing powers. Aromatherapy is now being used in clinics and hospitals as a complementary therapy. 

Essential oils can also be used cosmetically to create healthier skin, and to balance the emotions through inhalation. An easy way to get these benefits can be through massage using such oils as lavender which can be relaxing on it's own or stimulating when combined with eucalyptus; peppermint is cooling and stimulating and can be used for respiratory problems when inhaled or for muscle pain; rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for relieving pain from sprains, joint aches and rheumatism. 

So the next time when booking an appointment at your local day spa, ask them if they have any of these essential oils that can be incorporated into your massage and see what a difference they can make!

Are you getting enough water?

With the summer heat approaching, it's important to make sure you stay hydrated...really hydrated. Our bodies are over two-thirds water. Water is needed to transport all the nutrients, hormones, even wastes through our bodies, and to help our skin stay plump and moist, so it's important to avoid dehydration. With all the activities we are involved in during the summer months, and by the time we feel "thirsty", it is too late and most of us are probably dehydrated to a certain extent and not even aware of it. 

Do not underestimate the power of water in helping you to look and feel your best. Here are some great reasons for drinking water instead of carbonated beverages...

• Maintain fluid balance in the body.
• Help to control weight.
• Increase energy.
• Glowing skin.
• Digestion.
• Keep muscles functioning.

Dehydration can make your skin look deflated and wrinkled. Drinking water can help your skin look younger, brighter and healthier. You can boost the effect of water by using a moisturizer to "lock" the water in and having facials done on a regular basis at your local day spa. Most all spas have an Esthetician on staff to help you determine the best products to use to help maintain your skin for that moist, dewy look. 

So call your local day spa and make an appointment for a great moisturizing facial and don't forget to...Drink More Water!

Beautiful flowers!

Yes, flowers are one of Nature's most beautiful gifts to us. This time of the year we are beginning to see them everywhere from home flower beds, flowering shrubs on front lawns, wildflowers by the side of the road, and of course flower shops.

What better way to feel connected to Nature than to start planning and planting your own flower garden so that you can enjoy a beautiful color display outside all through the summer. Make sure to include "cutting" flowers such as tulips, roses, irises, hydrangas, and peonies to enjoy indoors or to give as a beautiful bouquet to someone special to brighten their day! 

After all the planning, planting, and fertilizing are done, why not treat yourself to a massage to relax and soothe all those tired and achy muscles? And while you're at it, how about a manicure just in case you didn't use garden gloves?

Call or check in to your local day spa and book yourself an appointment. You'll be glad you did and know it was all worth it as soon as you see all those beautiful flowers start to bloom!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th!!

That's right Mother's Day is almost here; which means time to start thinking what to get the person who means so much to so many of us. 

In addition to the usual gifts of flowers, candy, dining out, or breakfast in bed, how about a relaxing and pampering day at a spa? Away from all the hustle and bustle of her busy schedule, she can enjoy the many services or packages a spa can offer such as; manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, wraps and scrubs, to name just a few. You can pick out specific services for her to enjoy or if you're not sure of what she may like, a gift card in a dollar amount would allow her to choose for herself.

So call or check in with your local day spa and see what they have to offer and remember to ask about special packages for Mother's Day too!... 

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.