Guest contributor: Shelby Jones, Public Relations Manager, ISPA

Are you still feeling post-tax day stress (that is if you didn’t think it was Wax Day)? We all have it, in fact, stress is the No. 1 reason why people go to the spa worldwide. Don’t fear because it just so happens that April is Stress Awareness Month (what a coincidence)! Spas have taken note and are here to help you deal with all that built up anxiety.

Take your tax refund and instead of blowing it, invest it in your health by booking a spa treatment. The World Health Organization reports that by 2020 the top five diseases will all be stress related. Take action now by getting a handle on your stress with these treatments from ISPA members who are extending their $50 Spa Week specials:

California – Murrieta Day Spa & Hair Studio Extending until April 23 – 951.677.8111

• Book a 50 Min Swedish Massage, including Essential Oils and Hot Towels

Illinois – Elements Therapeutic Massage Extending until April 23 – 708.403.8828

• Book a 55 Minute Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, or Swedish Massage

Rhode Island – Stillwater Spa at Hyatt Regency Newport Extending until April 24- 401.851.3225

• Book a 50 Min Fresh Lemon Chiffon Massage

Florida – Massage Envy Miramar Extending until April 24 - 954.251.5678

• Book a 50 Min Customized Massage with Choice of Aromatherapy

Pennsylvania – Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Extending until April 25 - 724.329.8555

• 45 Min Full Body Relaxing Massage or 45 Min Healing “Life Force Energy” Reiki Session

You’ll be saying “ahhh” in no time, and maybe even looking forward to tax season next year? Ok, that might be a bit of a stretch! Like what you’re clicking? If you’re in the spa industry, we encourage you to become a member of our partner ISPA, the International Spa Association; weekly e-mails with pointers like these are just one small part of the package to help you succeed!

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.