Taking a Personal Day…at the Spa

In the past for you to be able to get a day off work you had to call in sick or declare a family emergency. Today it is acceptable for you to ask and or take a personal day or a mental health day. The same person smart enough to coin these phrases, possibly a woman, also had to find something to do to occupy this unused slot of time. Hence some of us take Personal Days and head on over to the Day Spa. The best part being, we have managed to convince our bosses, spouses and business associates that a girls best friend is always…. a diamond , let’s not be stupid, but second best are spa gift certificates.

I remember not too long ago getting my first day spa gift certificate. At the time it seemed too much a luxurious treat, plus I had other concerns . Would I be naked in front of a stranger ? Would I get a man or a woman ? I don’t care much for people touching me and just the thought of having a stranger rub their hands all over me while I’m naked didn’t make me feel too comfortable. I pretended to be real excited but the flashes of spa nudity I’m sure betrayed me. I felt a panic attack coming.

The gift certificate had the amount of the gift and came enclosed with a little brochure to pick out what appealed to me. I was free to select anything from their spa menu, including a pedicure if I wanted to bail out on the whole massage thing. I decided that If I had to submit myself to man handling I figured I would seek the company of a friend. I knew this spa experience was about to cause me some major anxiety but I couldn’t let the spa gift certificate go to waste. Never having gone to one before I wasn’t sure how much they cost but I imagined they weren’t cheap.

One of my sisters was very excited for me and decided she would go with me. We proceeded to make our reservations. A few days later we show up at the spa for my very first spa experience and I pick a Swedish massage after reviewing its description on the spa brochure. It read “Experience the magic of gently flowing strokes that provide immediate relief from stress and muscle tension. Enjoy the benefits of improved circulation and a natural sense of balance in the body.” Sounds nice, right? Who wouldn’t like and benefit from that.

My darling sister Yvonne, 10 years my junior is a bit more bold. She lives in New York and is a bit more - should I say posh ? You know the type, on the move , with the latest fashions, always running from one place to another. Anyways she looks at the spa menu, and settles on the Milk and Honey Loofah Scrub. It was described as “New smoother skin is only a scrub away. A luxurious all over body polish is applied that will exfoliate, cleanse and revitalize. Your skin will be left feeling silky smooth and have a natural glow.” Against my better judgment, Whatever, Yvonne ! To each their own.

After registering at the front desk we get ushered in and we are given our lockers to place our belongings once we get undressed. They gave us a brief explanation of where the spa amenities like the sauna, swimming pool , and eucalyptus steam room are located and leave us to shower and put on our robes and slippers while we wait to be called for our “treatments”. I remember being a tad excited and nervous at the same time. We were a bit early so we sit around in the lounge area chatting and sipping apple juice from fancy wine glasses. So, this is what the good life feels like!

They called on me first and I followed my masseuse down a hall to a small room. I remember a soft glow from candle light and a nice eucalyptus scent. I immediately dropped my guard and started to feel relaxed. My masseuse asked me to disrobe to my comfort level and to lay face down on the table and cover myself. She would step outside ,(no, I didn't get a man the first time) give me a couple of minutes and knock before coming in. Simple enough . I thought about keeping my panties on but then I thought the masseuse might realize I was NEW at this so I decided to take them off , shoved them in the robe’s pocket and hung up my robe. Why I thought the masseuse would care is beyond me now.

I was in heaven ! Everything about that gentle Swedish massage went extraordinarily well. The pressure applied was perfect, the ambiance splendid. The eucalyptus aroma soothing to my senses and soul. 50 minutes goes by way too quick and I woke slightly disoriented. I dressed and proceeded back to the lounge, relaxing , enjoying how good I felt allover and wondering what had taken me so long to enjoy this experience.

My sister having been called in after me was still in session. A few minutes later she walks out into the lounge area with her robe on and a towel wrapped around her head . She doesn’t look all that well to me. She looks real pink. I ask her it she’s alright. She plops down on one of the comfy couches , rolls her eyes, begins laughing while attempting to tell me about this huge Russian spa lady throwing her butt naked in a tub and scrubbing vigorously every inch of her body. I’m laughing hysterically because from the shade of her skin I could tell she wasn’t lying. What did she expect ? A loofah is a sponge consisting of the fibrous skeleton of a gourd. Duh ! Someone had to find out body scrubs are exactly that. Better her than me !

• Overall mind and body relaxation
• Improves heart rate and lowers pressure
• Increased circulation
• Increases oxygen supply to tissues which in turn increases resistance to disease and helps speed recovery from injuries & illnesses
• Reduces stress, tension, headaches, depression & insomnia
• Reduces muscle fatigue & soreness
• Restores joint mobility & reduces joint pain
• Helps prevent muscular atrophy
• Aids in correction of postural deviations

Massages and Day Spas are not just for women. Men benefit just as much especially in todays high stress world. Day spas are equipped to handle both sexes from the same spa facility with separate quarters for showers , saunas, and steam rooms.

A variety of other treatments are available for both men and women within the spa including different types of massages, facials, body treatments, waxing, manicure & pedicures, hair cuts and hairstyles. You also have full use of all amenities including swiiming pools, hot tubs, saunas and my personal favorite the eucalyptus steam room.

Men enjoy receiving spa gift certificates as well.

I highly recommend both the day spa experience for the first timer and taking a friend along. Stick to the massage item menu and forgo the luxury loofahs and other body treatments the first couple of times. After you become an expert spa client you can venture into other specialties. The staff is properly trained and adheres to standards to make you feel comfortable while respecting your privacy. My initial nudity concerns are long gone. As a matter of fact at the mention of a massage nowadays , I’ll drop my towel practically anywhere,

I’m hoping for my birthday coming up my husband will give me a spa gift certificate like he has for the past 3 years. I’m looking forward to trying something new this year but I’m caught between the “Thai Herbal Ball Massage” and the “Colonics”. Can’t decide!