A Minute With SpaBeautySchools

It’s late July and I have nowhere to go. No exotic destinations or vacation plans of any kind.

It’s certainly not for lack of trying. I went into uber-planning mode last fall, rounding up family and friends to convince them to commit to a summer getaway. Unfortunately, my powers of persuasion failed, which is why I’m sitting at my computer in late July watching others pack up their cars while mine is permanently parked at the curb.

Trying to overcome my stuck-at-home depression, I came across the notion of a “staycation.” Am I the only one who’d never heard of this before?

Essentially, a staycation refers to a “vacation” where you “stay” at home. At first, that didn’t sound like much of a vacation to me. Then I looked into it some more. The price of gas is out of control, and I drive an SUV (only because I think it’s more economical to run my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee to the ground than to drop a few grand on a new car). The cost of groceries is on the rise as well, but my home pantry is already pretty well stocked. Taking a trip could end up costing more than I’d bargained for.

Still, I want to feel like I went somewhere this summer besides my front porch. And here’s where the spa industry comes in, having once again found a way to turn a run-of-the-mill time into a terrific opportunity to meet consumer needs. Apparently, I’m not the only one longing to get away, if only for a day or even just a few hours.

According to the annual survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), 22 percent of people surveyed say that they use massage to relax. Plus, massage therapy can also reduce stress and improve overall health. Eighty-seven percent of people surveyed agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain, and 85 percent agree that massage can be beneficial to health and wellness.

So spa professionals are ingeniously marketing their services toward worn-out people like me who need a break but can’t go very far. After all, a professional massage at a day spa provides the perfect getaway. Heck, I can even request an ocean waves soundtrack to accompany my massage experience.

In the end, the staycation is an excellent way for spa pros to keep busy and for bleary-eyed workers to chill. Maybe I’ll get away this summer after all.

-Robyn Tellefsen

My husband started a Mother’s Day spa tradition three years ago, and I’m not about to let this one go.

You see, when it comes to this day set aside for moms, the festivity usually consists of brunch, a bouquet, and a bevy of well wishes. I don’t know if all the other moms out there are satisfied with the typical trappings of their holiday. I hope they are.

Maybe I’m not like other moms, or maybe other moms just don’t admit it, but here’s the truth: on Mother’s Day, all I really want is to be left alone. Now, don’t get me wrong–I love my children and my husband more than anyone else in the world–but a real holiday for me would not consist of 80 million trips to the potty, sticky fingers all over clean jeans, and constant demands for more juice, more Dora, more something. (Is it obvious I’m a mother of preschoolers?!)

I don’t think I’m alone in this. Moms love their kids, but moms also love a break. And a Swedish massage has become the pampering of choice on my day, Mother’s Day. I don’t require 24 hours of solitude, but an afternoon massage certainly does wonders for my body and spirit. It’s nice, for those precious 55 minutes, to not be Mom. It’s nice to just be. Then I can return home refreshed, ready to give a little more, ready to be Mom again.

Now I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way, since I’ve just been surfing spa sites that market their services specifically for moms on their day. Check out some of the specialty offerings available:

• Betty Dain Creations in Miami, FL, wraps mom up in its plush Cloud 9 microfiber spa wrap packaged with a Spongelle soap-infused sponge or a spa canvas tote bag.

• Viridian Day Spa in Mount Pleasant, SC, offers a special spa journey for moms, including an herbal healing massage and facial, lunch, special notes sent in from family members, and a spa gift.

• Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, TX, hosts mother/daughter getaways five times a year. These weeklong sessions include discussions on communication skills, body image, self-esteem, and deciphering dreams.

• Zents in Denver, CO, has introduced new scents into its signature massage, manicure, and pedicure products, as well as candles. For moms, Zents offers sun, a scent that is said to evoke feelings of home.

• For expecting moms, the Belly Imprint spa-at-home kit from Belly Vita in Chicago, IL, provides an opportunity to create a lasting piece of art to cherish long after baby arrives.

This past Mother’s Day, I enjoyed a long, luxurious massage (and a steam shower, and a paraffin hand treatment…). And maybe I won’t wait until next Mother’s Day to do it again. Hmm…

Thanks to all the hard-working spa professionals who make mommy pampering possible!

-Robyn Tellefsen