Been wishing for the weekend since Monday? Have you been feeling tired and less motivated towards work all through the week? Well, that’s because you haven’t really been taking care of yourself. Surely a healthy lifestyle is about following a balanced diet and being active, but it is also about pampering yourself from time to time to de-stress and relax your mind. Afterall how can you ever feel good if your mind is cluttered? Science says that getting a massage done releases a hormone called serotonin that allows your body and mind to go in a “feel good” state, just like the way you feel after a good workout.
So make the most of your weekend break and give your body some tender love and care. Here are six popular spa treatments that can chase away the blues instantly:
1. Aromatherapy massage
One of the most popular spa treatments is aromatic body therapy. This massage utilises the power of pure essential oils to soothe the mind, body and soul. The treatment involves gentle choreographed massage strokes that focus on the restorative properties of the essential oils instead of the physical pressure application, to reduce stress, promote good sleep, stimulate and detoxify the body.
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Each essential oil serves a unique purpose and a carefully curated blend is used to target specific problem areas of the body. Since the oils have healing properties, they are suggested to treat issues like congestion, muscle spasms, etc.
2. Balinese massage
The Balinese massage is a high pressure, deep tissue treatment that utilises palm pressure, gentle stretching strokes, acupressure and essential oils to stimulate the flow of blood, oxygen and ‘chi’ (energy) in the body. The boost to blood circulation helps in reducing stress and rebalances the body.
3. Swedish massage
A medium pressure therapy, the Swedish massage aims to make one feel relaxed and content by promoting circulation and an overall feeling of well-being. The massage uses a variety of techniques such as stroking, gliding, kneading, rubbing, tapping and pounding to provide a classic massage for relieving tense muscles and relaxing tight areas in the body. Ranging between 60 to 90 minutes, the massage improves immunity by the manipulation of muscles over the bone structure.
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(Also read: 5 Skincare Tips To Care For Your Body In Monsoon)
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4. Lomi-Lomi therapy
A Hawaiian massage, the Lomi-Lomi therapy is one of the most effective stress-relieving treatments. It is known for its long and continuous strokes of deep- tissue massage, which is designed to help the body to let go of its old patterns and behaviours. Macadamia, palm and coconut oils are usually used as moisturisers during the session to keep the strokes smooth and to nourish the skin.
5. Reflexology
Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is an application of pressure to feet, hands or ears. This is to send a calming message from the peripheral nerves, which in turn signals the body to adjust the tension level bringing calmness to the central nervous system. Apart from relaxing the body, this therapy also helps in reducing pain and stress.
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6. Hair spa
Getting a hair spa done is the best thing you can do to de-stress yourself. Because of the shocking amounts of pollution and dust that your hair is exposed to every single day, they can lead to serious damage. Hair spas are not only relaxing but a great way to nourish the hair by keeping it soft and healthy in the long run.
Go on and pamper yourself because you surely deserve it.
Inputs from IANS
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An exciting part of a vacation at an all-inclusive resort is a trip to the spa. What relaxing spa treatments can you expect to get at a spa visit at an all-inclusive resort? What should you do in preparation for your treatment? And what are the benefits of the treatments you’ll receive at the spa?
The type of treatments may vary depending on what type of resort you stay at or the type of spa that is there. For example, mineral spas will have spa treatments that focus on mineral baths that other spas may not.
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To see what treatment will be right for you, let’s go through each of them. I’ll tell you what’s involved and what the benefits are. After that, I’ll tell you what you can do to prepare. As well as recommend some spas for you to enjoy your spa treatments.
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Facials
This is a pretty popular one. Everyone has seen someone getting a facial. Maybe it was in a movie where the actresses had a green or black mask on their face with the eyes covered in cucumbers.
So what is involved in a facial at a spa?
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What’s Involved
A facial involves getting a massage of the face and neck. First a cleanser is massaged into the face and neck. This is to remove makeup and dirt in preparation for the next step.
The next step is exfoliation. In this step, a cream or scrub is applied to exfoliate or scrub away dead skin cells. Steam is then applied, opening up the pores. Some spa treatments use a custom mask to cleanse the pores.
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It usually takes about 60 minutes to get a good facial.
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Benefits of a Facial
Facials are good for people who want to reduce acne. The exfoliation process allows for increased blood flow. Facials have also been known to manage scar tissue. The increased blood flow is mainly responsible for this. The end result is a radiant glow and improved skin.
Benefits of a facial:
- Acne reduction
- Increased blood flow to the skin
- Managing of scar tissue
- Improved complexion
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Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a Swedish massage treatment that uses essential oils during the massage treatment.
Commonly used essential oils are:
- Calming: chamomile, lavender, geranium oil
- Uplifting: yland-yland, clary sage, rose, neroli oil
- Energizing: rosemary oil
- Decongesting: eucalyptus, pine, tea tree oil
Top 10 Essential Oils & Their Unexpected Benefits
Massages are highly regarded as an effective way to relieve anxiety, increase calmness and relaxation. It’s also been known to reduce the symptoms of depression and provide pain relief.
There are some other things aromatherapy massages are said to help with. We want to note that we are not providing any medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether an aromatherapy massage would be good for you.
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That said, some studies suggest that these massages may reduce the severity of pain and discomfort from menstrual cramps. Other studies suggest that aromatherapy massages may ease menopausal symptoms.
It’s important to check with your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have other health conditions before getting this type of treatment.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
Benefits of aromatherapy:
- Increased calmness and relaxation
- Relieves anxiety
- Pain relief
- May reduce symptoms of depression
- May reduce severity of pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps (check with your doctor)
- May ease menopausal symptoms (check with your doctor)
Body Scrub Massages
Another popular and common spa treatment is a massage. Most know about the traditional massage that you might get at a mall or on the job if your employer offers that sort of service.
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But there are more to massages than a neck rub.
For example, you can get a body scrub. Think of it as a facial but for the body. It’s typically done with sugar mixed with aromatic essential oils. This type of massage takes place in a wet room.
Just like a facial, the idea is to remove dead skin.
You might also see a spa offer a salt glow massage. It’s the same thing as a body scrub but with salt. You might hear it referred to as a salt scrub or sea salt scrub.
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Benefits of a Body Scrub Massage
As you might imagine, you’ll get the same benefits of a body scrub massage as you will with a facial.
It removes dead skin, promotes efficient blood circulation. Your skin will feel noticeably softer and is good if you suffer from rough or dry skin. You may notice an improvement in blemishes. It’s also a great way to reduce stress.
Benefits of a body scrub:
- Removes dead skin
- Promotes efficient blood circulation
- Smooths and softens rough, dry skin
- Clears blemishes
- Reduces stress
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Body Wrap Treatment
Body wrap treatments are an ideal way to relieve anxiety and increase calmness. That is assuming you aren’t claustrophobic.
Body wraps use a combination of nourishing oils, detoxifying clays, herbal aromatherapy fusions as part of your treatment. Detoxification ingredients include sea salt, seaweed, algae, mineral-rich clay or mud. These draw out the toxins and impurities from the skin through pores.
Benefits of a Body Wrap Treatment
The benefits of a body wrap treatment are immediate. You skin will look more youthful with a radiant glow. This is because this process removes dead skin. Your skin will feel softer. And you may notice that your clothes will feel looser. But only for a short while.
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Benefits of a body wrap treatment:
- Youthful, radiant skin
- Softer skin
- Temporary weight loss
- Increased calm and relaxation
Hot Stone Massage
Have you seen images of women laying on their stomach while stones are laid on their back? Yeah, that’s a real thing. And it’s called hot stone massage. Believe it or not, there is a cold stone massage. But for now, we’ll just focus on hot stone massages.
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The way it works is smooth, water-heated stones are placed at key points on the body. Typically, they are placed along the spine, on the stomach, chest, face, palms, feet, and toes.
You might be thinking: why would I want to put hot stones on my bare skin? There are a couple of reasons.
First, it relaxes the muscles so therapists can access deeper muscle layers. With your muscles relaxed, tension and muscle stiffness is eased. This also helps with increased flexibility, decreased muscle spasms and deeper sleep.
It also increases blood circulation. Hot stone massages also promise to improve metabolism.
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Benefits of Hot Stone Massages
Benefits of hot stone massages
- Relaxed muscles
- Reduced tension
- Ease muscle stiffness
- Increase blood circulation
- Increased metabolism
- Increased flexibility
- Decreased muscle spasms
- Better sleep
Check with your doctor before getting a hot stone massage if you:
- Take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
- Have open wounds
- Have a history of blood clots
- Had surgery in the last 6 weeks
- Have heart disease
- Have diabetes
- Are pregnant
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How to Prepare for Spa Treatments
Now that you have an understanding of what to expect at a spa at an all-inclusive resort, what should you do to prepare for your day of relaxation?
A good idea is not to eat for at least an hour before or after your massage. You’ll probably be so relaxed, eating will be the last thing on your mind.
Get there early. Maybe 10 to 30 minutes early. This way you can use the whirlpool, sauna, or steam room to get you relaxed and ready for your treatments.
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It’s also recommended that you drink plenty of water after your treatment.
Your massage therapist works hard. And let’s face it – everyone likes to be shown appreciation for their work. The customary tip for a spa treatment is around 15% to 20% of your total bill.
Recommended All-Inclusive Resorts with Spa
If you want to be bathed in luxury along with your spa treatment, here are some resorts we recommend:
