Enjoy That Extra Hour… At The Spa

November 7, 2011 | By

Oh, that glorious extra hour! Why can’t we change the clocks back every day? Imagine – waking up every morning and realizing you have an hour more to sleep, to cuddle, to eat breakfast or catch up on the news… I campaign for 25 hour days, indefinitely. But alas, this might get confusing. So, with our one lucky “fall back” day of the year, I say take that extra hour you’ve been blessed with, and use it at the spa.

We’ve got many hour-long spa treatments in our November Spa Deals, and there are many actual proven reasons to use your extra time on the massage table.  TIME just featured “8 Ways to Beat the Daylight Savings Blues,” and much of it resonated with the spa lifestyle:

  • Getting a massage – The country’s most popular spa treatment is also great when the days get shorter and the winter blues set in. According to TIME: “(Massage) can be as effective in treating depression as talk therapy. During massage, levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is often high in depressed people, fall while levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin — the same brain chemical increased by antidepressant medications — rise.”
  • Deep breathing – “Taking slow, deep, relaxing breaths stimulates the vagus nerve, which is responsible for counteracting the stress response,” reports the TIME article. Our yoga expert, Elena Brower, created her Spa Week Daily Challenge around this fact – check out her 5 minute breathing tips. So when your in-laws are in town for the holidays, just remember to take deep breaths!
  • Drinking caffeine - Go ahead and feed your Starbucks addiction, because a recent study showed that women who drank more than four cups of coffee a day had a lower risk of depression. Lattes, here you come!
  • Exercising - Elle Woods said it best: “Exercising gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands!” Exercising repeatedly at the same time each day or days of the week helps create a habit, and the more you repeat that habit, the harder it becomes to let yourself deviate from it.
  • Socializing – It can be difficult to motivate yourself to go out especially during the bitterly cold winters here on the East Coast but, get yourself to the spa (maybe grab a few friends too) and you’ll be doing yourself a service! (Click for the rest of TIME’s tips.)

Here are some great spa deals around the country to fill that 60 minutes of time you’ve been blessed with, and to help you fight off those winter blues:

Bahn Sabai Day Spa in Los Angeles has a choice of 60 Minute Body Massage with 30 Min Facial or 60 Minute Body Massage with 30 Min Foot Massage. Special: $65 Each; Originally: $95 – $120.

Facelogic Spa in Encinitas, California has a 60 Minute Microdermabrasion Facial with Upper Body Massage. Special: $59; Originally: $109.

La Petite Rose in San Francisco has a choice of Luminous Vitamin C Facial or 60 Minute Pure Relaxation Massage. Special: $65 Each.

mySpa at InterContinental Miami has a choice of a 50 Min True Transformation Facial or My Massage, 60 Minute Anti-Cellulite Body Wrap or 95 Min Journey Manicure and Pedicure with choice of Lavender or Ginger. Special: $50 Each.

U-topia Spa in Naples, Florida has a choice of 60 Minute Bliss Massage or Glisten Body Polish. Special: $70 Each.

Newbury Electrology & Skin Care in Boston has a choice of 60 Minute Spa Facial with Enzyme Peel and 15 Min Electrolysis for $55, normally $125, or 60 Minute Deep Pore Cleansing Facial and Eyebrow Wax for $50, normally $95.

Suede Salon, Spa & Body in Marlton, New Jersey has a choice of 45 Min Pomegranate Brightening Peel for $69, normally $104, or 60 Minute Massage for $59, normally $81.

Monty Beauty Spa in Brooklyn, New York has a choice of 60 Minute Aromatherapy Massage with Cupping Therapy, 60 Minute Lava Hot Stone Massage or 90 Min Vitamin C and Seaweed Facial Treatment. Special: $60 Each.

Epiphany Day Spa in Hempstead, New York has a choice of 60 Minute Microdermabrasion or 60 Minute Aromatherapy Massage. Special: $65 Each; Originally: $120.

Serenity Spa in New York has your choice of a Manicure, Pedicure and 60 Minute Massage for $89, normally $119, or Manicure, Pedicure and Deep Cleansing Facial for $99, normally $134.

Water Lily Spa in New York has a choice of 60 Minute Deep Tissue Massage or 60 Minute Swedish Massage. Special: $50 Each.

Yin Beauty & Arts Spa in New York has your choice of a 60 Minute Lymph Detox Massage with Foot Herb Steam Bath for $55, normally $110, or 60 Minute Lipo-Slimming Massage with Body Contouring for $75, normally $150.

I SPA in Astoria, New York allows you to pick two: 60 Minute Facial, 60 Minute Anti-Stress Massage, Slimming Body Wrap, Body Scrub, Microdermabrasion or Brazilian and Underarms Wax. Special: $99.

Click here to see all November Spa Deals.

Image via

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7 Secrets for a Sounder Night’s Sleep

September 9, 2011 | By

By Healing Lifestyles & Spas

The definition of insanity, Albert Einstein once quipped, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. But for the millions of Americans who head to bed each night, only to spend most of it lying awake in the darkness, the hope for deep, restorative sleep isn’t a laughing matter. According to the National Sleep Foundation (who host our 2nd favorite relaxing week, “Sleep Week“) in Washington, D.C., 75% of us experience at least one indicator of a sleeping problem a few nights a week, a number that’s increased significantly in the last four years. And while most of us know that we need eight hours of sleep a night to be at our best, only about a quarter of Americans regularly get that much rest.

Not only does sleep improve your skin (it’s called Beauty Sleep for a reason!), a study from Columbia University and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City concluded that regularly cutting into your sleep time could also put you at greater risk for gaining weight. Researchers discovered that people who average less than 4 hours of sleep a night are 73% more likely to become obese than those who got the recommended 7 to 9 hours of rest. “Sleep deprivation may lower levels of leptin, a blood protein that suppresses hunger,” says lead researcher James Gangwisch. Stay up late a few nights in row, and you’ll probably notice that your appetite has spiked.

While lifestyle and environmental factors play a major part in the rest that we get, our minds often get the last word on how well we’ll sleep. To help patients get some rest (without the use of prescription medications), sleep specialists and naturopaths will often suggest a series of activities or exercises designed to relax the mind and take the focus off the day’s stressful events. Here are some of their most reliable sleep techniques.

1. Create a pre-sleep routine

“You need transitional downtime—you can’t just switch from ‘worry, worry, worry’ straight into soothing sleep,” says Joanne Getsy, medical director at the Drexel Sleep Center in Philadelphia. Make a cup of decaf tea, climb into cozy pajamas, and read an article in your favorite magazine. By creating a short wind down ritual, you’ll signal to your body that its time to enter rest mode.

2. Turn on the steam heat

Taking a hot bath or shower can depress the nervous system and encourage the muscles to relax. “At first this can be stimulating and wake you up, but after about twenty minutes, you’ll feel yourself start to get very drowsy,” says naturopathic physician Suzanne Lawton. The scent of lavender can also be relaxing, so try to find a bath product, which features it as a key ingredient. (This lavender shower fizzer by Essential Addictions is only $4)

3. Offer yourself hypnotic suggestions

Your brain can either work against you—or for you—in bed. Clear away stressful daytime thoughts by replacing them with those more conducive to sleep. “Tell yourself that you’re feeling incredibly tired, that your eyelids and body are getting heavy,” says Lawton. “Once you’ve given your brain the suggestion, the body quickly follows.”

4. Engage in deep breathing

(Elena Brower taught you this WEEKS ago!) Allow yourself to expel the stress you’ve been holding onto by exhaling it out. To begin, get settled on your back and rest your hands lightly on your belly. “Inhale slowly, feeling your hands lift on your stomach as you draw air in. Hold it for a moment; then slowly let it out. The act of deep breathing can be surprisingly emotional, so take as few or as many breaths as you feel comfortable with,” suggests Fleishmann.

5. Think of calming visuals

“Creating an image in your mind can help lead you away from stressful thoughts and into a dream-like state,” says Joanne Getsy, medical director at the Drexel Sleep Center in Philadelphia. “Some people like to imagine walking along a path near the ocean, while others might think of making snow angels in winter.” She suggests choosing a visual that’s soothing and relaxing, and if you’re inclined, building a simple story around it.

6. Get Moving

Engaging in stretches, poses, and guided relaxation just before bedtime can help release the day’s tension, preparing you for a restorative night’s sleep. If you’re not already a practiced yogi, follow along with movement expert Ann Dyer in zYoga: The Yoga Sleep Ritual (Sleep Garden; $25) for a combination that will take you from type A to Zzz in fifty minutes or less.

Chamomile... what a snore.

7. Supplementing Sleep

Taking sleeping pills isn’t the only way to tackle symptoms of insomnia. These natural remedies can help speed you towards dreamland, without a prescription.

  • Chamomile If you’re feeling agitated, brew a pot of tea made from the leaves of this fragrant herb. A strong cup can soothe aching muscles and relieve stress, enabling you to fall asleep.
  • Kava Root This member of the pepper family is a natural relaxant, which can have a therapeutic effect on your body. Take care to consume products made from the root only, as those made with the leaves and stem could have adverse side effects.
  • Valerian A non-addictive sedative with anti-anxiety benefits, valerian can keep you from feeling wired and worried, reducing the amount of time it takes you to drift off at bedtime.
  • Melissa Extract Also called Lemon Balm (thanks to its citrus-like scent), this member of the mint family works to relax agitated nerves and encourage proper digestion.

Lead Image via, ocean image via chichacha’s flickr

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Aging Backwards: Secret #4 – It’s Called “Beauty Sleep” For a Reason

July 7, 2011 | By

Column by Jackie Silver

What if you could look younger and prettier for free? You can! It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. Lack of sleep can definitely show on our faces, manifesting itself as a lackluster complexion, dark under-eye circles and bags, and wrinkles. Experts say that our hormones “tune up” when we’re sleeping and guess what? Those hormones help to increase collagen, you know, that stuff that makes your skin look “plump and juicy.” Not only that, but our immune systems also “tune up” while we’re sleeping, adding natural killer cells to fight off disease.

I'll have what she's having.

Seven to eight hours of sleep a night is what the sleep experts recommend. If you have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep, look into Melatonin, a hormone our bodies made naturally (available at your local health food store.) Some health care practitioners recommend doses as large as 5 mg, but Dr. Rubin Naiman, author, teacher and sleep expert, told me personally that “less is more” when it comes to Melatonin. I take less than 1 mg. Check with your doctor before using it – children and pregnant women should not use Melatonin unless a doctor advises it. Also, take it JUST before you’re ready to go to sleep and “do not operate heavy machinery.” :)

Here are some Aging Backwards tips for getting the best beauty sleep:

• Keep your room dark – light tells the brain that it’s not yet night time and we shouldn’t be tired. This causes us to stay more alert and awake at a time when we should be feeling tired and ready for sleep. Whatever you do, don’t ever open the refrigerator in the middle of the night and expose yourself to that bright light! That light ceases your body’s production of the hormone melatonin, which studies show guards the nervous system against degenerative diseases – such as Alzheimer’s disease and stroke – and could even prevent migraines.

• Keep your room cold – according to the National Sleep Foundation, temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit and below 54 degrees will disrupt sleep in most cases, but even sleep researchers fail to agree on the ideal temperature for sleep. The point at which sleep is interrupted due to temperature or climate conditions varies from person to person and can be affected by bed clothes and bedding materials selected by the sleeper. A room that’s too hot can also be disruptive. In fact, research suggests that a hot sleeping environment leads to more wake time and lighter sleep at night.

• Try ear plugs – studies show that nighttime noise can raise your blood pressure while you’re sleeping, even if you’re unaware of it. So, it you live in a big city with sirens blaring or airplanes landing at all hours, try sleeping with ear plugs. You can find them at almost every retail pharmacy or big box store on earth and they’re a ridiculously affordable way to improve your sleep.

Still awake? Read these 6 sleepless stats.

Jackie Silver is Aging Backwards and she shares her secrets, tips and shortcuts in her book, Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young, on her website agingbackwards.com, on TV, on radio, in print and in person. She is a frequent television news guest, one half of The Ageless Sisters radio show, a columnist with The Tampa Tribune and contributor to numerous websites. In addition, she is the National Anti-Aging Beauty Examiner, New York Beauty Products Examiner and NY Charity Examiner for Examiner.com. Silver is a New York City based speaker and coach and is sought-after as an anti-aging and beauty expert by the media.

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6 Sleepless Stats: Happy Sleep Week

March 7, 2011 | By

Sleep is not always a fairy tale.

Did you know that today kicks off National Sleep Awareness Week? Apparently there IS a more relaxing week than Spa Week! Okay, okay, I wouldn’t go that far, but this “holiday” presented by the National Sleep Foundation is as great a time as any to become more aware of your sleeping habits, and improve them for a better overall quality of life.

6 Reasons to Focus on Your Sleep

  1. Over 40% of women are sleep deprived. Most people need 7-8 hours of sleep per night and 43% of women report getting less than 7 hours of sleep on average.
  2. Can’t remember the good things in life? You might not be depressed—sleep could be the culprit.  Studies have shown that sleep deprivation makes it harder to form positive memories while still allowing the formation of negative memories.
  3. You or your bed partner may have Nocturia. The need to get up frequently to urinate during the night actually has a name…Nocturia.
  4. Sleep doesn’t just get worse after you’re a senior citizen. The amount of slow-wave sleep (the important restorative stage of sleep) is cut in half between the age of 20 and 30.
  5. Sleep Apnea??? Almost 50% of people don’t know what sleep apnea is (a condition where breathing becomes shallower or stops hundreds of times per night), despite it being a life-threatening condition that effects an estimated 18 million Americans.
  6. Those extra pounds?  Sleep may be at fault. Studies have shown that sleep duration plays an important role in appetite suppressing (e.g. leptin) and stimulating (e.g. ghrelin) hormones.  Start getting the proper amount of sleep and have an easier time controlling your weight.

Also, check out this very fascinating blog post on sleep deprivation for more on the subject.

If you are part of the 52% of American adults who have trouble falling asleep, you may find a bedtime buddy in reBloom Natural Sleep Drink. I haven’t personally tested it out, but in honor of National Sleep Awareness Week they are offering a trial period discount. Enter “SleepWeek” at checkout on www.reBloom.com to receive your initial 7-pack for $19.99 for a savings of 30%, for a week of money-back guaranteed better sleep. I occasionally have trouble sleeping and feel the need to pop a Nyquill, so I am probably going to try it out! Let me know if you do too.

According to their website: reBloom’s safe, natural and effective ingredients include:

  • Valerian, the root of a flowering plant that has been used as a traditional sleeping remedy since ancient Roman times
  • L-Theanine a key amino acid found in green tea
  • Melatonin a naturally occurring compound in the human body that helps to regulate the sleep/wake cycle as well as Antioxidants and the traditional calming herbs Chamomile and Lavender

You won’t find any drugs, preservatives, artificial flavors or sweeteners in reBloom—just an unabashedly natural taste and simple, beautiful sleep. At only 5 calories, reBloom is a simple and guilt-free way to get the natural sleep that you so desperately deserve, without resorting to sleeping pills.

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Big Snooze News

January 19, 2010 | By

As I blog at 2:18 AM, I’m reminded of the excerpt on sleep deprivation that smacked me upside the head. The excerpt that directly inspired my New Year’s resolution of getting 7.5 hours of sleep a night (which I’ve actually been doing fairly well at until tonight). The article that sensibly compartmentalized my sleep options and called me to a higher understanding of how sleep deprivation has been deteriorating my mind and body.

Thank you to SELF Magazine for this fantastic piece from The Big Snooze:

Droopy eyelids and low energy are the least of your worries when you’re sleep-deprived. If you aren’t getting the seven to eight hours that’s ideal, you can seriously compromise your health.

More than 8 hours Sadly, you can have too much of a good thing. Regularly amassing more than eight hours a night disrupts blood sugar levels, which makes type 2 diabetes a concern, according to findings in the journal Diabetes Care. And sleeping more than nine hours is linked to an increased risk of dying due to any cause, say researchers at the University of California at San Diego and elsewhere, possibly because other health conditions that cause fatigue are a factor.

Fewer than 7 hours You’re three times more likely to catch a cold if you sleep fewer than seven hours per night than if you get eight, possibly because sleep helps regulate the body’s response to infection. Weight gain also becomes a worry: We produce more of the appetite-promoting hormone ghrelin and less of the satiety-producing hormone leptin when we’re low on sleep.

6 hours or fewer You may think you function fine on this little sleep, but snoozing six hours or fewer a night for a period of only two weeks will impair your memory, reaction time and general cognition in the same way that staying awake for up to 48 hours straight would, according to a study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

5 hours or fewer Averaging five hours or fewer of sleep weakens your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which may double your risk for type 2 diabetes, according to Diabetes Care. And people who sleep five or fewer hours a night are 50 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure than are those who get more than six, possibly due to their elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which strain the heart, the journal Sleep reports.

Read The Big Snooze in full at SELF.com. And if you’re still up late too for no good reason, start imagining a thinner, healthier, smarter and more alert version of yourself and GO. TO. SLEEP. 

Photo courtesy of SELF.com

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