greenliving
Although often regarded as a luxury,
proper skincare is essential to our health and sense of wellbeing. It is especially important for us to care for our skin as
we head into the cooler months when our skin can become more sensitive and prone to aging if not properly hydrated. Facials and body wraps are a wonderfully relaxing way to nourish and protect the skin while restoring your inner peace.
Natural Ways to Refresh
One-Person Pamper Party
and Renew by April Thompson
P
ampering ourselves isn’t a luxury so much as a necessity to refresh and renew mind, body and spirit.
A Spa Specialty Spas have been synonymous with pampering throughout the ages. “Every civilization around the world has had some kind of communal gathering place for people to practice ‘self-healing’,” says Jeremy McCarthy, group director of Spa & Wellness for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and author of The Psychology of Spas & Wellbeing. From ancient Greek bathhouses to Japan’s beloved
natural hot springs, spas have long served as sacred places of healing and restoration. Indeed, many treatments provided at today’s eco-spas draw inspiration from traditional uses of herbs, honey and olive oil to care for skin and hair. Locally, natural spas’ pampering services may range from botanically based facials and mud masks to herbal body wraps and hot stone massage. Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certified spas take extra strides toward sustainability through efficient use of renewable energy, green building materials and sound stewardship of resources. “Spas are more important to people today than ever,” says
McCarthy. “In the modern age, we all need places to escape from technology, experience moments of quiet contempla- tion and feel the touch of another human being.” He recently launched a new Digital Detox initiative at Mandarin Oriental hotels, where guests are encouraged to surrender their phones upon arrival at the spa to curtail online distractions. In spa relaxation rooms, they can instead access mindfulness activi- ties such as journaling, note card writing, meditation or simply enjoying the silence.
32 South Central PA
NaturalCentralPA.com ~Maria Crosby, Owner, Beyond Beauty Skin Therapy, Camp Hill More Pampering Spots
While busy people tend to put off self-care, there are treats to suit any schedule or budget—from getting a quick manicure or pedicure at a neighborhood eco-nail salon to visiting a yoga or wellness center. “I build pampering into my week. If you don’t make
time for you, who will?” asks Melanie Laporte, a make-up artist and freelance writer in Washington, D.C. “When your significant other or family members see you taking care of yourself, they’ll honor your time more. I remember Mom taking power baths and telling us, ‘This is my time. I’ll be back in 30 minutes and then we can read together.’ We re- spected that.” For a quick, healthy pick-me-up, visit an organic juice
bar. Opt for businesses that feature fresh, whole ingredients rather than pre-mixed powders or sugar-laden juices; to give the immune system an extra lift, add a natural booster shot of ginger or turmeric. Most grocery stores now carry cold-pressed juices that can pack as much as six pounds of produce into a single bottle.
An honored ritual that continues to restore spent spir- its is drinking a cup of tea. Whether sipped at home, as a British high tea featuring an organic Earl Grey or as part of a traditional Japanese green tea ceremony steeped in Zen, tea time allows us to slow down and savor the moment along with the aromas in our cup. Also, antioxidant-rich tea is fortifying.
Salt room visits, another healthy pleasure that has spread throughout the U.S., dates back 150 years to an indigenous Polish practice. Research indicates that salt therapy, or halotherapy, can help improve conditions such as asthma and allergies and support the immune, nervous and lymphatic systems (see
Tinyurl.com/SaltRoomPam- pering). Universally restful salt rooms also offer a unique sensory experience.
Another highly accessible way to treat body and mind is
to move in a joyful way. Consider taking up a playful new class for de-stressing and stretching such as trapeze yoga, conscious
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