I’ve said it before, “If money were no object, I’d splurge on a massage once a week.” But like everyone else, I watch my pennies and treat myself to a spa treatment once every few months or when I come across a deal. Twice a year in April and October, Spa Week offers $50 spa treatments. The ladies at Healing Hands Day Spa offered me a massage and facial in anticipation of Spa Week. Are you in need of a little me time?
Wellness and health benefits
Simply walking into a spa tends to lower my blood pressure. The low lights, relaxing atmosphere, soothing scents and welcoming staff are in complete contrast with my job as a travel writer. I’m used to rushing to catch a flight, shoulder strain from carrying a too-heavy laptop computer bag and hours of poor posture while typing on a computer keyboard. I need to shift my focus away from spa treatments as a splurge and keep in mind the wellness and health benefits to my body and spirit.
Benefits of massage
“My goal as a massage therapy ambassador, having studied at National Holistic Institute, is to increase people’s awareness about the benefits of massage,” explained Massage Therapist Amelia Academia. “To receive a massage is blissful, reduces stress, and improves circulation throughout the whole body. I believe that it is important to incorporate massage into a health plan, as much as going to the gym to exercise. It may be easy to think of massage as a luxury treat you do once a year. It really is so much more of a mind and body holistic healing experience.”
Massage
Having recently returned from a food and wine trip to Quebec, Canada, I opted for the detoxing massage. The aromatherapy treatment began with essential oils of rosemary, burdock, echinacea, lemon, geranium, peppermint, figwort and watercress. I was able to identify some of these scents from my apothecary experience at The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.
Microdermabrasion facial
In my world, you only live once and you’re only given one body, so why not take care of it? As I have now entered the active baby boomer stage of life, I’ve decided to be open to facial treatments. Before my skin started showing the signs of age, I didn’t give it much thought. Now I realize the error of my ways and understand the need to keep adequately hydrated.
Young and cheerful, my esthetician Hannah Sweet grew up drawn to skin care. “I’d mix my own masks. As I got older I learned that I liked the functionality of the skin and how and why it works.”
My appointment began with a warm paraffin treatment to moisturize my hands & deeply penetrate the skin. Next came the microdermabrasion facial. Having never experienced this machine before, Hannah compared it to a cat’s tongue licking your face and that was a perfect analogy. A hydrating mask followed and I was ready to re-enter the work world after a morning of pampering.
Bookings for Spa Week deals are available online now with Spa Week taking place October 20-26, 2014 nationwide. To schedule a Healing Hands spa treatment click here. Check the Spa Week website for additional locations.
Insider Tip:
Spa Week offers deeply discounted treatments via Spa and Wellness gift cards. Redeem gift cards for treatments at any participating spa. For additional insider tips follow Northern California Travel Writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter and Spa Week on Twitter @spaweek.
If You Go:
Healing Hands Day Spa (925) 362-9892
2551 San Ramon Valley Blvd. Suite 107B
San Ramon, California 94583
Article and photos by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Healing Hands Day Spa for review purposes. I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own.