5 Spa Etiquette Tips for Beginners

Even if you’ve never been to a spa before, you probably have an image in your mind of what it’s like. You’ve seen characters like Carrie Bradshaw or one of the countless “Real Housewives” lounging around being treated like royalty. There’s usually a waterfall in the background and beautiful people walking everywhere. A real-life spa however is usually less fancy, but no less enjoyable. It’s a place you can go to relieve stress, get together with friends, or treat yourself to a special day away from work.

Despite all this luxury, going to a spa can be an intimidating experience for some people. While there are certain unwritten rules you’ll need to learn, a lot of it is based on common sense. Here are some tips to remember to make your first spa experience as enjoyable as possible.

Make an Appointment – a spa is definitely not a place where you simply show up like a drop-in clinic. Going to gather information or ask questions is fine, but you should always make an appointment if you want a service. Busy spas have to manage a lot of clientele and it’s good to make their job easier. Remember, a happy spa staff gives better service, and that means better relaxation for you. Showing up unannounced and demanding a service will achieve the exact opposite.

Take a tour – if you’re signing up for a comprehensive service or membership, a spa will usually offer a tour. You should definitely take advantage because it’s a great opportunity to get a general feeling for the place. You’re probably not going to use every service during your first session, but it’s nice to know what’s available when you come back. It’s also a great way to meet other spa members for the first time.

Communicate concerns – it’s absolutely vital that you feel as comfortable as possible with whatever service you’re getting. For example, you don’t have to get a massage if you don’t want to, and you certainly shouldn’t continue if you’re uncomfortable with your masseuse. Some spas have different rules regarding clothing or bathing, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you don’t feel like taking off your towel. Express your concerns clearly and you’ll likely come up with a compromise that works for you.

Tipping – it really depends on the service, but tipping is generally expected for most of them. And instead of thinking about it a long monetary lines, consider whether or not you enjoyed yourself. If you had a really good time and it’s been one of the best facials of your life, then you should definitely tip big. You’re paying for a specialty service which can’t be found everywhere so make sure to show your appreciation when someone does a good job.

Maintaining a Rapport – over time, a spa can be your private refuge for rest and relaxation. A big part of what makes the experience successful is the other people around you. Do your best to maintain a good rapport and you get the most out of every visit. It’s a great place to hang out with friends or to making new ones. Be friendly with the staff as well because when they’re on your side, it can elevate the spa experience to a whole new level.

Going to the spa is great, but it’s not something everyone can afford all the time. Luckily, you can still treat yourself to some private time at home with a relaxing foot massager you can use after a long day of work.

Sauna – Improving Your Health with Regular Treatments

Sauna treatments have been popular for centuries. Most people think of saunas related to people from northern Europe. However, the tradition of sweating in a community setting has been popular around the world. Health professionals love the benefits that people get from taking regular treatments. Studies show that the health benefits are much more than most people expect. Athletes have known about how powerful they are for many years. More and more people want to bring that benefit into their own homes through home kits. Let us look at a few of the benefits.

Regular sauna usage brings on many improvements in regards to health and beauty. Studies show that the body reacts to regular treatments with a strengthened immune system, deep skin cleaning, stress relief, improved blood circulation, and intense detoxification. Blood flow rises during a typical treatment. This pushes blood and nutrients deep into the tissues of the body. This can lead to toxins coming from the skin through sweat glands. All of it improves the appearance of the skin while flushing out the bad things from different areas of the body.

Blood vessels open up during sauna usage. This helps move blood quickly and efficiently throughout the body. This helps to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks in people that have diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. People that have suffered heart problems in the past present vast improvements after just a couple of weeks of treatments. One treatment can impact the hearts significantly since it increases the heart rate by up to 75%. Studies show that one treatment gives many of the same benefits as taking a fast walk. Some people kick off their weight loss programs with regular treatments.

Regular sauna treatments also improve circulation in other areas of the body. It helps carry toxins out of the muscles and other body tissues. By getting rid of these toxins, kidney and liver functions improve along with the heart function. The skin is one of the largest organs for removing toxins from the body. A good sweat on a regular basis makes the skin look many years younger. One of the biggest benefits of regular treatments is the release of stress and tension from the body. The intense heat involved helps sooth sore muscles and aching joints. The sweat helps move out the toxic substances in the muscles and joints to improve healing and strength.