It's a stress and work-filled life, and few of us ever have the chance to sit back and take a few moments for ourselves. And believe it or not, that can actually have an effect on our health.
"Stress plays a serious role on our health," says Lindsey Gockenbach, a vice-president at Spa Week, an independent organization that promotes the spa lifestyle while helping to make it affordable to the masses.
Spa Week brings together hundreds of spa locations across the U.S. and Canada, offering full service treatments that normally cost hundreds of dollars for a flat-rate fee of $50.
"I think it's safe to say that all of us forget how important it is to take time for ourselves," Gockenbach says. "The $50 Spa Week services can help thousands of people get a little more balance back in their lives."
Unfortunately for Canadians, not all these fabulous deals are available in Canada, but the event is growing every year. For more information, head to www.spaweek.com.
In the meantime, take advantage of these quick at-home stress-busting tips.
FACIALS
Homemade facials can be relaxing and invigorating, especially if you bring friends over for a little spa party. Try using your blender to combine yogurt, honey, aloe gel, avocado and cream. Brush it on your face and let it dry, and you're done! (Alternately, for a classic chocolate facial, try the same thing with 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 3 Tbsp. heavy cream, 2 tsp. cottage cheese, 1/4 cup honey, and 3 tsp. oatmeal.)
For essential oil lovers, place a few drops of your favourite oils into a bowl of warm water (never directly to your skin) and soak a clean cloth for a few seconds. Fold the cloth over your face and allow your skin to absorb the oils and the water while opening your pores. In addition to the psychological benefits of many essential oils, these can improve skin tone in your face, too!
BODY SCRUBS
Try this one on for size: Combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup raw oatmeal and 1 cup olive oil in a jar and rub it on areas where you have dry skin. Step in the shower to wash off the remains and feel silky smooth skin as the result.
For some interesting variations, try adding 1/2 cup of sea salt to the mix, or even spice things up with some essential oils, a tablespoon of lemon juice, or even crushed strawberries, which can have the same effect as honey.
FEET
Overnight foot scrubs can leave your feet feeling silky smooth from ankle to toe. Try blending 1/4 cup almonds, 1/4 cup dry oatmeal, 3 Tbsp. food grade cocoa butter and 2 Tbsp. honey into a fine paste that you can rub into your feet. Cover them with some standard cotton socks and head to dreamland.
Make sure when you take your socks off in the morning to do it over the tub, and gently wash your feet smooth.
Relax
The timelessness of a relaxing bath cannot be understated. Drawing the most relaxing bath can be as simple as picking up some bath salts and letting 5-10 drops of essential oils fall into the tub before you get in. Turn off the lights, light a candle, spritz some scents -- maybe even bring a book -- and let your troubles melt away.
For a full rejuvenating experience at the same time, try a milk bath with a hint of mint.
Mix together 2 cups dry milk powder, 4 Tbsp. of crushed mint leaves, 1/2 cup sea salt and 1 cup cornstarch. All the dry ingredients will keep well in a jar until you're ready to use them.
Then drop the combination into your regular bath water and enjoy the rejuvenating, relaxing -- and not to mention great for your skin -- feeling wash over you.
THE EYES
Chamomile -- yes, that tea bag you have in your cupboard -- is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce redness and inflammation.
Place the tea bag in just-boiled water for three minutes, then cool it off in the fridge.
Place one over each eye and relax for 15 minutes.
You can also achieve a similar result by beating egg-whites with a drop of witch-hazel in them.
Use a brush to layer the mixture just underneath your eyes and allow it to dry, then wash off and enjoy the astringent qualities of the eggs.
WILLIAM.WYLIE@SUNMEDIA.CA
