1. Go Often
Honestly, there's nothing more enlightening than experience. Learn what you like, what heals and nurtures your body and soul. The actual act of visiting a spa is truly the only way to discover what works for you. The more you try, the more you will learn what you like (and don't like) and each visit can increase your ability to reap its benefits. In a way, this one simple idea impacts all of the tips and tricks of the trade that follow as it represents a commitment to your well-being. If you can figure out a way to afford it — monetarily, time-wise or spiritually — monthly, quarterly or biannual visits can change your life into a healthful, vibrant event.
2. Ask Questions
If you're trying a spa for the first time, you may want to find out what extras they have to offer. If it's a local spa, you may even want to pop in beforehand for a visit and make sure the decor is soothing for you. (One woman's rococo splendor is someone else's nightmare.)
Next, inquire about the menu. It will save both you and the spa reception/booking agent a lot of time if you have taken a moment to look at their treatment menu online or as a brochure. Make note of the things that interest you and ask the booking agent if she thinks any of these are right for you based on your experience level, preferences and health concerns (if any). If you're getting no help from this person, this may not be the spa for you. These are nurturing environments. And the best ones have well-trained staff on hand to guide you through the process and answer questions.
3. Understand Your Treatment
Knowledge is indeed a powerful tool when leveraged on spa treatments. Being informed about how a certain therapy may be able to affect you (whether in the sense of pure relaxation or for getting over a particularly harrowing party season) can deepen your session-both emotionally and physiologically.
Understanding the cultural background to a service can enrich it as well. Javanese lulur, for example, is offered on many spa menus now but its origins are nearly sacred, having been a ritual reserved for the 40 days leading up to a young woman's wedding. The spices and textures all have meaning, as does the sequence of therapies.
Other treatments, such as detoxifying therapies that can disturb your physical equilibrium as they strive to eliminate toxins from your system. This isn't to say one should avoid powerful treatments. On the contrary; use them wisely and understand some of the ways to support their effects afterward. A wise therapist will advise you of follow-up behavior-be it not drinking alcohol for the evening or taking a hot soak and a nap immediately after.
4. Drink Water
It's crucial to drink plenty of it before, during and after your visit. Water hydrates the body's tissues on a cellular level, prompting the system to cleanse itself and function with fluidity. Just as you would want to hydrate before a workout, well-watered muscles (including those of the face) respond better to the activating pressures of massage, allowing the therapist to work more deeply.
Sufficient hydration also encourages the removal of toxins. Flushing your system will reward you with compliments on how great your skin looks, how well rested you seem, etc. Drink up.
Related Content
The spas on new cruise ships are bigger and more blissful than ever. Here are five of the best ones afloat.
Looking for some quality time with her girlfriends both in the spa and on the beach, Tara Bradley embarks on the perfect weekend getaway to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
On a first time visit to New Mexico, Diane Rice figures out where to stay, spa, dine and shop in Santa Fe and Ojo Caliente.
Five of these spa vacation destinations are surprisingly affordable, while the other five are dream trips where you’ll definitely be indulging. Read on to see where you can get spa deals, and where you can go to splurge.
This smoothie recipe is excerpted from Naturally Peninsula - Tea Flavours, a cookbook from the famed Peninsula Hotels chain.
