You may not already know this but April is Stress Awareness Month, sponsored by The Health Resource Network. It couldn’t come at a better time, with the way the economy is and with taxes due. According to the HRN, this is the 17th consecutive year that Stress Awarness Month is taking place; it’s “a national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society.”

Stress can be dangerous. It contributes to heart disease, HBP, strokes, etc. It’s so important not only to learn about stress, but to also do things to reduce it. And what a great coincidence that April is when Spa Week takes place (4/13-4/19). So, learn the facts, take some time for yourself, and get an occasional massage (affordably, I might add). The calmer you are, the better you’ll feel. Just remember…deep breaths.

No matter which end of PA you live on, you have a reason to smile because Spa Week will be taking place in BOTH Pittsburgh and Philly from April 13-19.

Let’s start on the western side of the state. Pittsburgh has 11 participating spas all offering $50 treatments. Macy’s (in downtown Pittsburgh and in South Hills Village Mall) each has their own Ecotage Salon & Spa. For Spa Week, they’ll be offering a 60 Min Invigorating Peppermint Pedicure Retreat with Express Exfoliating Facial, a 60 Min Indulgent Aromatherapy Massage with Signature Ecotage Foot Soak, and a Customized Hair Conditioning Treatment with Style and Tropical Citrus Spa Manicure, all for only $50 each! I would definitely visit the spa after a long day of shopping.

And now to the Eastern side of PA… Philly! There are 18 spas to choose from for the Spring 2009 Event. New participants include DermaCenter Medical Spa and Art + Science Salon/Spa who are both offering some great treatments. If you’re looking for a facial, I’d try Spa Viva’s 55 Min Stress-Release Facial, and if you’re looking for a massage, you might book the 50 Min Tension Tamer Deep Tissue Massage with Choice of Aromatherapy Oil Blend at The Sporting Club at the Bellevue.

I made my first trip to Boston in February, and it was everything I thought it would be. Cold, beautiful, and full of wicked smart people and sexy Good Will Hunting-like accents. From Boston Common to Newbury Street, I fell in love with the city and thought “I could really live here.”

If you’re already one of the lucky ones who calls this MA gem home or lives in the surrounding area, consider yourself even luckier because you have a whopping 44 spas (no joke) to chose from for Spa Week! Here are some highlights:

All of the treatments that 1 on 1 Self Indulgence in Concord, MA is offering for Spa Week are eco-friendly! Maybe you can try the 50 Min Organic Citrus Oil or Lemongrass Massage.

Adara Spa right in Boston is offering 3 packages at $50 each that are all 120 minutes or more! Their hair package is over 2 hours and includes a haircut, deep conditioning treatment, scalp massage, and styling. Can’t beat that!

Or maybe you could go to Balance Spa in Tewksbury, MA for the 50 Min Lavender Hot Stone Massage. Sounds like a stress-buster to me!

Word on the street is that a lot of the 650ish spas that are participating in the Spring 2009 Spa Week Event are almost completely booked! Anyone who hasn’t booked their $50 treatments for April 13-19th should get on it (myself included).

Here are some spas that have recently signed up for the Event that you may have not seen since you last looked on SpaWeek.com:

Atlanta: OH2 Medical Spa
Austin: Novita Spa on The Square
Chicago: The Lashe Spot and Rodica European Skin & Body Care Center
D.C.: Parma Spa and Wellness Center
Dallas: Mokara Salon & Spa
Florida: The Center for Beautiful Skin
Los Angeles: Cariño Massage
New Jersey: Jon’Ric International Medical Spa
North Carolina: Douglass Carroll
San Diego: Morgan Run Resort & Spa, Sè Spa at Sè San Diego, and Spa Aquazul at the Hilton Bayfront San Diego
Seattle: The Spa at PRO Sports Club
Toronto: A Touch of Paradise or Ici Paris

We all exercise for different reasons. Some people want to lose weight, some people want to be fit and healthy, and some people are straight-up athletes. But no matter if you’re a gym-goer, a mountain biker, or a pilates guru there are a few things that will always come in handy: a towel, socks, and sunscreen.

Sweat. It’s sticky, stinky, and slimey, but it happens. The days of using a rough hand towel to wipe your brow are over, because Manduka’s eQua towels are ultra-soft, absorbant, and lightweight. They’re slip-resistant which is great for bike rides or hikes. The towels come in several colors and sizes, and they’re machine-washable!

Unless you’re into water sports, you most likely wear socks for your workout. No nonsense makes some awesome sport socks. They are cushion-y, have a massaging sole, and are infused with aloe which for softer skin and less odor. (They also makes pink, rose-scented ones for every day.)

You may not be Lance Armstrong or Kerri Walsh, but you love to play outside. There is one thing that is essential to keeping your skin protected–sunscreen! Ocean Potion makes a great anti-aging sunblock. It’s ultralight and water and sweat-resistant, so you can wear it for your morning run or if you’re catching a wave. They have SPF 15, 30, and 50, so it’s great for all complexions. I can’t wait to use it… if it ever gets warm in NYC!