I am often asked “how often should I have a massage?” or “how frequently should I have a facial?” The answer depends on what you are trying to achieve. What results are you looking for? Since I believe that everyone deserves to look, feel and be amazing, I want to highlight the transformations I’ve witnessed over the last 16 years in this line of work. I will start by giving you the top 10 benefits to visiting your favorite spa on a regular basis.

10. It’s important to take care of yourself. Attitude begins with liking yourself enough to do this.

9. A professional service provider will consistently help you grow with your ever-changing needs. Nothing stays the same.

8. Consistent care builds comfort and confidence in how you look and feel.

7. Physiological benefits occur that lengthen the life of treatments received. Results last longer.

6. Professionals always have access to the latest trends and developments to keep you informed.

5. Supporting a local business community makes you feel you’re a part of something, not just a body.

4. Intentional pauses from the hustle of life create more opportunity for productivity.

3. Supportive education and tips received and products help make daily life just a little easier.

2. Results. Results. Results.

1. You feel more alive in your body!

In addition to these benefits I have witnessed mood changes:

• People angry at life have experienced a literal melting of negative thoughts and felt tension fade.

• Nervousness over important life decisions has been calmed.

• Anxiousness about work, relationships, health, money, parents, children or politics has softened to expand thought.

• Insecurities have morphed into confidence.

• Sadness and depression gently lifted as a deeper capacity to feel becomes more apparent.

Physical shifts that have occurred:

• Damaged skin has been corrected and confidence has soared.

• Tight muscles have relaxed to a more natural state.

• Headaches have been relieved.

• Injuries due to accident or illness have been restored to normal function.

• Breathing has become more natural.

• Proper makeup application has brought out natural beauty.

• The art of how to hug has been learned!

What results do you want for your body, face, mind, spirit and heart? Begin with selecting a source or establishment that can deliver. Ask questions. What does the business believe in? Does that line up with what you believe? Ask about what is offered, what you can expect, what is include or not included, and the credentials of staffers. They will help you choose services that will be right for you. Sometimes you need to just relax. No fuss, no muss. Other times you may need attention to specific areas regarding massage. Facial skin needs will change with the season and change as you mature. Be sure your professional service providers offer you home care consistency as well as at spa services. You must develop good habits when away from the spa, with the use of good products as well as having spa services on a regular basis. Don’t invest the time and money in spa services if you’re not going to maximize the results by doing good things in between.

Here are a few freebies that you can do on your own:

• Breathe with intention. Full expansive inhalations and complete exhalations.

• Take a soak in a hot tub with Epsom salts several nights a week. This helps to restore muscle tissue and relax the body.

• Walk. Move. Simple limb rotations, joint mobilization (movement).

• Notice. Notice. Notice. Pay attention to your posture (sitting, standing), your breath, your mental state of mind. When you notice you’re holding your breath—that’s a good reminder to pause and BREATHE. If you feel stiff, that’s a good reminder to MOVE, stretch.

• Drink plenty of water. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Hydration keeps things functioning at optimum capacity. Results are visible externally in the suppleness and smoothness of your skin.

• Sleep. Good solid, consistent sleep has a profound impact on clarity of mind, skin tone and attitude.

Now, in case it’s been more than six weeks since your last spa service, STOP—and make an appointment now. Ahhh!

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it!” – Jim Goodwin