Spa Day for Mom To Be

So you’re expecting? Well you’ll need pampering now more than ever. As mothers, we are programmed to be extra cautious about what we put our bodies through while carrying our bundles of joy. As a first time mother, I’ve done everything by the books and followed all of the doctor’s orders. Luckily being in the spa business, I was not overly concerned with the spa treatments that I can and cannot receive because I help expecting moms on a daily basis. On the other hand, being in the business, I know that spa treatments raise a lot of questions and many women have concerns about what treatments they can receive in this fragile state. In addition, they wonder about what types of products are safe to apply to the body.

First let me start by saying that all of our staff members are expertly trained and have experience working with expectant mothers. Our team is knowledgeable on what type of care is required including what areas of the body to avoid, what equipment can and cannot be used, and what treatments are safe to receive. You are in good hands! So relax and let us take care of you during this important stage in your life.

What treatments are safe to receive when pregnant? Many services listed on our menu are safe and even encouraged for you during pregnancy. What you cannot book are heat treatments to include body wraps, the steam, sauna or hydrotherapy bath. Other service that you cannot receive while pregnant is reflexology, due to certain trigger points around the feet and ankles that are contraindicated during pregnancy and also our Keratin Hair Treatment. Getting your hair colored, such as receiving a full head color or highlights, is up to you and your practitioner. It is always a good idea to discuss receiving spa treatments with your practitioner before booking, but getting the go ahead on coloring your hair is strongly recommended. Getting the okay by doc is also recommended if you are high risk, past your due date or on bed rest. Otherwise, go ahead and indulge in a Prenantal Massage, a body scrub, a facial, a manicure or a pedicure. I would personally recommend a Deep Cleansing Facial if you are prone to those pesky hormonal outbreaks, a one hour Prenatal Massage to relieve discomfort in your back and to get the circulation improving in your legs, and a Spa Pedicure for pampering of your swelling and achy feet. Make a pre-baby day out of it. You deserve it!!

I have had the opportunity to indulge in all of these treatments while I was pregnant and I highly recommend the occasional pampering because your mind and body goes through a lot of stress and changes. It is so important to care for yourself as well as your child while you are carrying. Take some ‘me’ time every few weeks if possible. All of our products used for massages, facials, scrubs and nail care are safe to apply to the body when pregnant and feel excellent if you are experiencing break outs and dry or flaky skin which we are prone to due to hormonal changes in the body. I had been worried about getting comfortable once I had gotten a little bigger but I must say the staff at The Right Touch makes sure you are comfortably and safely positioned during treatments and anyone who has used our facility in the past knows that the padded and heated tables feel great. I was more comfortable receiving a Prenatal Massage than I thought possible. Drift off into a state of relaxation while we care for you and your baby. 

Facial After Care Tips

After your facial you will find a prescription as well as recommended products for use at the front desk. If your esthetician feels like you might be using the wrong products for your skin type or if there is a product missing from your routine, they will suggest something specific just for you. Be sure to book your next facial before you leave. You should book facials every 4-6 weeks but it may depend on the individual so consult with your esthetician.

When you leave, drink plenty of water over the next 24 hours. You’ll also want to stay out of the sun because your skin is more sensitive after a facial. Preferably, avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 24 hours. When you do go in the sun, always use sunscreen. It is also recommended that you refrain from applying makeup immediately after a facial and wait 72 hours before using any at home facial peels or retina a.  

In addition, you should always wash your face at night before going to bed, especially if you are wearing makeup. Wash with a cleanser as opposed to soap or body wash and then apply your toner followed by serum or any other specific treatments recommended for you. Using a mask and scrub once a week is also beneficial. Talk to your esthetician to find out which one is right for your skin. Don’t forget to moisturize!

 

Healthy Living in 2014

Below are some tips and tricks to help keep you healthy in the new year.

Online meal planning is easy with Emeals . Emeals.com is a great resource for weekly meal planning. You choose your meal plan based on your eating style, your family size, and your preferred food store. Emeals will send recipes and a grocery list right to your inbox each week. You can choose between vegetarian, low calorie, low carb and more. This is a convenient way to keep track of exactly what you and your family are eating.

Create your healthy recipe board on Pinterest for inspiration. Search for meals that are rich in flavor but light enough for your 2014 goals. Pin new ones each month to help keep you on track. Search for the pinners “Closet Cooking” for healthy new year recipes or “Self Magazine” for superfood recipes. Don’t forget your fruit and vegetable boards!

Getting a gym partner has shown to increases your motivation, improve weight loss results and make working out more fun. Team up with one of your co-workers or look for a like minded fitness enthusiast on meetup.com. Attending a weekly or monthly fitness class will also serve as motivation for you and your gym buddy.

Committing to a monthly regimen with your goals in mind will help create a happier and healthier you. When creating a monthly “to do” keep balance in mind. Don’t focus solely on eating healthy and exercising, although those are very important factors. Rather, think about your whole health. For example, consider your  sleeping habits, making time to yourself, and what you’d like to give back to the community. Think about your needs and wants for mind, body and soul to help develop a plan that works for you. Some examples would be to commit to getting 8 hours of sleep every night, drinking 8 glasses of water every day, going to the gym 2-3 times a week, cooking 3 healthy meals per week, getting one massage per month, and reading one book per month. This is a good mixture for your overall health and wellness. Develop things that fit your lifestyle and make a check list to help keep you on track. Hold yourself accountable and reward yourself at the end of each week or each moth. There are many smartphone and tablet applications to serve as daily reminders for your goals such as “drinking water” and “fitsby.” Or check out ‘Healthy Habits’ for all of your health goals in one place.

Sign up for wholesome and delicious snacks with NatureBox. With NatureBox, five nutritionist approved snacks are delivered to your door each month. These wholesome and delicious snacks include trail and nut mixes, dried fruit and bars, biscuits, wafers, pretzels and more! Their mission is to help you eat healthier without having to change your daily routine. NatureBox is also a company that gives back, helping to feed the hungry with more than 150,000 meals donated and counting. Read more at NatureBox.com.

Don't forget to breathe

Envision that the moment you've been waiting for all month has finally arrived. You climb onto the heated massage table, settle in, and wait for your therapist to deliver a massage that will surely melt your stress away.. You've already done your part just by walking through that door, and the rest is up to your Massage Therapist. That's the beauty of your time here at The Right Touch. It's all about you and your needs... but is there something more you can do to maximize your experience and benefits? There sure is. Just remember to breathe. Before your therapist even returns to begin the treatment, you can be on your way to a relaxed body and mind by taking a few deep breaths. Most of us use only a fraction of our lung capacity the majority of the time because we are rushing around or under stress. Test it out right now by taking a nice full breath. Breath in through your nose letting the air fill the space in your chest and then all the way down to your belly before breathing it all the way out through your mouth. Feel a difference? After a couple more of those you are sending more oxygen to every cell in the body, releasing more toxins, and balancing both mood and energy. Slowing down your breathing causes the brain to activate the relaxation response. When you add this to a massage that is already boosting circulation, improving mood, and promoting relaxation you're left with a peace and calm that readies you for whatever the rest of the day may bring. So, next time you find yourself on the massage table give it a try. Take three slow deep breaths to begin the treatment and initiate your own state of bliss. Another deep breath as your therapist focuses on a particularly tight area can make a big difference in your comfort and the physical release of the tension. Use this technique when you're stressed out in traffic or before a big meeting and you just might feel a little better between massages, too. See you soon, and don't forget to breathe!!