Janell Loving
Spring is in the air, the trees are beginning to show the promise of blossoms, and daffodils begin popping up everywhere. The transition from hibernation to renewal is evident in everything, even in your local spa. Although subtle, seasonal spa transitions are designed to engage the body by creating the space for balance, breathing and replenishing essential nutrients to encourage optimum health and wellness.
Spring is the perfect time to cleanse the body and bring your internal system into balance with the external changes that are occurring. To assist with this, many spas offer a combination of wraps and exfoliating treatments designed to aid the body with detoxification and renewal. One of my favorite treatment combinations for spring cleansing is a gentle exfoliating treatment that includes dry brushing for the body. Dry Brushing is performed with a special brush made of natural bristles to allow the removal of toxins through the body's pores. Dry skin brushing increases circulation to the skin encouraging your body's discharge of metabolic wastes, aiding in lymphatic drainage of the entire body. Dry Skin brushing also rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin. This simple technique aids the body by eliminating clogged pores and allowing for nutrient absorption through the skin.
Spring is characterized by delicious smells – the first spring rain, moist soil, and warm sunshine create the promise of beauty to come. With the awakening of so many wonderful things, often we find the need to rebalance and adjust our breathing. As the pollen count creeps up, your local day spa may have the perfect treatment for you. Sinus Relief treatments are designed to facilitate a natural transition for the breath through the use of specific massage points and herbal tinctures. As we participate in the awakening of nature, a key component to seeking body balance is respecting the breath. Spas offer gentle, nurturing services for the body to gracefully transition from the deep recesses of winter to the warm expansive days of spring.
A significant transition that may be happening in your local day spa is the changing of tea varietals for the coming season.
Green Tea is a traditional favorite for spas as spring and summer approach. Green tea has a tendency to have high concentrations of amino acids that nourish the body, and if processed correctly, it can be rich in antioxidants and catechins polyphenols. These antioxidants and catechins help neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with at least one unpaired electron, creating a high reactivity with other molecules in the body. A free radical will stabilize by stealing an electron from a healthy molecule, damaging cell proteins in the process. While some free radicals are naturally produced in the body, levels increase with exposure to pollution, smoking, UV rays and radiation. The catechins found in green tea not only scavenge free radicals, but are antibacterial, boost natural immunity, and help protect against sun damage creating an ideal way for spas to provide nourishment to the body during seasonal changes.
As the days grow longer, and the temperature begins to warm check in with your local spa to discover the services they offer to help you rebalance, revitalize and renew the body, mind and spirit for wellness.
