Giving is an art that many of us are familiar with.  Whether you give money to a charity, help your neighbor, donate your time to a local shelter; the feeling is the same.  Your heart swells and a smile stretches across your face.  The endorphins that are released in your body from this act are great for you.  Helping others gives you a “Helper’s High” which has many health benefits including:

• Strengthens your immune system
• Decreases your awareness and intensity of physical pain
• Relieves stress

I love the idea of reaching out and giving to others but it’s important to remember that you deserve to receive as well.  This tends to be tough for some people, but learning how to receive things will benefit you as well.

Do you find it hard to ask for help?  This is an example of how we close ourselves off to the idea of receiving.  Knowing that it’s okay to ask for a hand once in a while is an important part of the receiving process.

Here are a couple of my favorite tips for making yourself a better “receiver”:

• The next time someone compliments you, reply with a simple “Thank you!”  Don’t explain that you actually need a haircut when someone compliments your hair, for example.  A lot of women reply to compliments on their clothing by saying, “It’s comfortable.”  Just accept the kind words and enjoy them.  Perhaps others will notice the new gesture of reception and begin practicing the balance.
• When you receive your next treatment at the spa, allow yourself to welcome the touch, don’t arrive at the last minute with your hair on fire.  You deserve to enjoy a full session of relaxation.  Receiving well includes preparing yourself to receive.  If you feel like you are “stealing” your much-deserved time at the spa, you won’t allow yourself the time to prepare for and then transition out of, your spa state of mind.

A wonderful way to practice the balance of giving while receiving is a hug a day.  Know that the world wouldn’t be the same without you in it.  I’d love to hear about all the ways you are giving and ways you are learning to receive too!  Here at spa, we try to give back to the community and to our clients as often as we can.

On Sunday, June 26th, we are hosted our second Cancer Comfort Day, an uplifting event for cancer patients currently receiving treatment.  With the generous help of our neighbors here in Willow Glen, we were able to provide a healthy brunch, facials, massages, hair wash and blow dry, all at no cost to our special guests.  For more information on Cancer Comfort Day, please call the spa or check out the press release from our first event here.

Hugs to you all

Violet

We had nine attendees who were referred to us by El Camino Hospital and our customer network.  To ensure the safety of each guest, we required a written permission from their doctor to participate.

As our nine guests arrived, they were welcomed with herbal tea and aromatherapy foot soaks.  Top Nosh Café provided healthy, complimentary lunches for each attendee.

Next, they were whisked away to private specialized facials.  Chemotherapy patients had a facial designed for the special needs and issues that the often harsh treatment creates.  Vena Dorne of Vena’s Skin Care also provided treatments with me.  Others experienced the benefits of Lymphatic Drainage massage.  This technique can be especially beneficial to cancer patients, but it requires expertise to administer to anyone who has had lymph nodes removed.  I was also able to provide hypnotherapy sessions for guests as well.  Hypnotherapy is a very effective tool in relieving anxiety and for helping patients visualize their healing.

Each guest got a gift bag that included special moisturizers, sun protection, toners and face wash.  All were selected expressly for chemotherapy patients because of the treatment can cause their skin to be very sensitive and irritated by ingredients in many cosmetics.

After our guests were done with their treatments, they received complimentary hair styling with Richie Rocket, a hair stylist at top-rated Scandalous salon.  The event was close to Richie’s heart, as he has lost several family members to cancer.  The day concluded with head shots done by photographer, Charlene Chavez.

One of the most important elements of healing for cancer patients is support and nurturing.  This event was designed to show them that they aren’t alone in their struggle and to boost their morale.

We held the second Cancer Comfort Day on Sunday, June 26, from 10am-4pm.  For more information about the event or future events, please call us at the spa- 408.297.4899.

Spring is a time of renewal.  What things do you change or start when the days start getting longer?  Most of us are getting ready, if you haven’t already done so, to start the big Spring Clean!  Cleaning our homes from the buildup of fall and winter is important, but did you know that you could be “Spring Cleaning” your health too?

• Getting Outside & Exercising: Breathing in fresh air is essential to a healthy body.  Fresh air cleans your lungs, improves brain function and over time increases stamina while working out.  According to Dr. Andrew Lepp of Kent State University, outdoor recreation has a number of benefits.  From better self-esteem, more confidence, creativity and reduced stress levels, to more productivity at work and an improved functioning immune system.  The CDC recommends getting at least two and a half hours of exercise a week or just thirty minutes a day, five days a week.  Taking a walk, riding your bike or gardening are all great ways to enjoy the outdoors, in a fun healthy way!

• Keeping a Clean, Dust Free Living/Working Environment: Dust mites are all over our indoor living and working spaces, as well as in the air.  These small particles can cause asthma in children, aggravate hay fever and make people very ill.  While we can’t get rid of them completely, we can keep them under control with some easy steps.
  • Make a point to dust your house systematically.  Following a specific path around your house helps ensure that you’ll remember to clean all those dusty places each time.
  • Work top to bottom- you don’t want to dust the bottom shelf only to do the top next and have particles drop back on your clean surface.
  • Don’t forget your couch and bed.  Most vacuum cleaners have attachments; this is a great way to get the couch clean.
  • Use a damp cloth so the dust is picked up and not displaced.

• Stocking Your Kitchen with Fresh, Wholesome Food: These are some of the fresh fruits and vegetables you’ll find in during the spring. Shopping locally (especially at farmer’s markets) and eating produce that’s in season helps keep your body in sync with the natural rhythms of spring. Increase the amount of raw foods in your diet during spring.
  • Apricots
  • Artichokes
  • Arugula
  • Asparagus
  • Beets
  • Mint
  • Peas
  • Strawberries
  • Sweet Onions

• Go See Your Doctor: When was the last time you had a physical?  Checking in with your doctor, even when you’re healthy can help keep you healthy.  These appointments can encourage a healthier lifestyle, keep you up to date on vaccines and assess any future health concerns.  How often you go is something to talk to your doctor about but there are general guidelines for age groups too.

• Natural Detox: There’s lots of talk about detox diets and “cleanses” in the news these days. But the most potent detoxifier of all is free: water! Without enough water, your liver can’t process fat or toxins, so abundant water consumption are the first step in any weight loss or detox process.  The rule of thumb recommendation is eight, eight ounce glasses a day (or 64 ounces daily.)  You’ll need more when you’re physically active.  Sip water continuously rather than chug-a-lugging large glasses—you’ll benefit more from it that way.  Water is most healthful when its room temperature rather than ice cold, but if that’s what it takes to get you to drink enough, add some ice.  The reason behind all the water is to flush out toxins in the body through our kidneys.  Another way to excrete body toxins is through sweating.  Whether you sit in a sauna or better yet, exercise (two steps in one,) this is a very important part of naturally detoxing.  Finally, shoot for around twenty to twenty-five grams of fiber a day.  Eating a high fiber diet can prevent constipation; lower your cholesterol levels and slow digestion- leading to weight loss too!

Take advantage of spring’s energy and use it to kick start a new self-care program.  To ensure that you can sustain your new lifestyle, add one or two new healthy practices each week.  And have a happy spring!

Violet Johnson

Have you ever noticed how when you are in love, you feel so youthful or giddy?  Well there is science now behind this feeling of vitality.  Those “anti-aging” hormones are affected by feelings of love.  Through a study, conducted by the California-based HeartMath Institute, researchers found that although receiving love can slow down the aging process, giving love and affection actually slows it down even more.

So this Valentine’s day, make sure to tell the people you love how much they mean to you.  Give where you can, whether that be listening to a friend who needs to talk, holding the door open for a mother with her hands full or pampering your loved one.  Stay healthy, happy and loving!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Violet

My mother shared with me that within different ethnic groups, abdominal massage during pregnancy actually created bonding between the parent and child.  While I practiced nursing and mid wifery in England, Saudi Arabia and at the World Health Organization, newborn babies were given their first bath combined with a massage.  Mothers would be taught this wonderful bonding technique.

I also had the opportunity to accompany my mom to a women-only Russian spa, or Banya, located in England.  There we were treated to body scrubs, cold and warm plunges followed by a heavenly massage.  After the treatments, we were wrapped in warm sheets.  I always slept so well following these visits.  It was several years before I truly understood the benefits of our visits.

Scientists worldwide now know through research, that good touch equals less stress via hormone reduction.  According to the Mayo Clinic studies have already found massage to be helpful for many things, ranging from stress relief and managing anxiety to boosting immunity and even cancer treatment.  Prenatal massage not only offers a similar list of benefits, but can also improve newborn health.  Here’s a list from the American Pregnancy Association of some benefits of prenatal massage:

• Hormone regulation:  Studies have shown that women who received bi-weekly massages for five weeks, showed a reduction in stress hormones (norepinephrine and cortisol) and the hormones that make you happier (dopamine and serotonin) were increased.  The change in hormones improved cardiovascular health led to fewer complications during birth and had fewer instances of newborn complications.
• Reduction of swelling:  Massage helps stimulate soft tissues which can help improve circulation and reduce the collection of fluids in swollen joints.
• Improvement of nerve pain:  The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles, creating a Sciatic nerve pain.  Massage therapy helps release the tension on nearby muscles by addressing the inflamed nerves.  Many women have experienced significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through regular massage.

Other benefits include:

• Reduced back pain, reduced joint pain, improved circulation, reduced edema, better sleep, reduced headaches and muscle tension as well as improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles and reduced stress and anxiety.

Violet J Spa offers a number of different massages.  We have a talented staff, ready to pamper you and reduce your stress.  For the mother’s to be, I would recommend the Pregnancy Massage; 60 minutes, $105. 90 minutes, $150. Make the time to take care of yourself.  With all of the health benefits, it’s hard to find a reason not to.

Here’s to a stress-free and relaxed you,

Violet Johnson

I had the luxury of being home with a minor cold.  I turned on the fireplace, cooked my favorite English breakfast–smoked bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes with a couple fried plantains on the side. With this, I could already feel the happiness surrounding me.  I started a pot of ginger tea, made with fresh ginger roots, pounded and boiled– so aromatic!  With a touch of honey, it does wonders for nausea.  (It’s a must try if you are pregnant!)  I popped an Il Divo disc in the player and then sunk into a warm, lavender essential oil bath.

Even my cat Princess was smiling as she lay on the floor next to the tub, (though the smile might be from the bacon I shared with her earlier.)  I soaked for ages, then I stepped into my mum’s old cashmere robe…Heaven.  Afterward, to my delight, my charming 94 year old neighbor (yes, she’s 94 and as sprightly as a chicken) stopped over.  We shared a meal while we watched Agatha Christie movies.  We’re both from England, hence our love for old detective flicks.  And, with that, happiness had returned.

Did you know, happiness actually changes brain chemistry, releasing serotonin, calms the heart and lowers your blood pressure?  While studies show being happy leads to better health, sometimes it’s easier said than done.  Living in the world today, stress, anxiety and disappointment tend to loom too close for comfort.  So, what can you do?  While there are many steps you can take, here are a few good places to start:

• Nurture your relationships with friends and family. Take the time to visit those close to you.  If you don’t live close, send an email or a card.  These things are simple, yet they go a long way.  Author and doctor, Sylvia Davis and Louise Chang share that keeping the communication between you and your loved ones is important not only for our emotional health, but our physical health as well.

• Exercise. Exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make you happy!  According to the Mayo Clinic, physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you happier and more relaxed.  You could invite a friend to go along and help nurture those friendships you have.

• Cut out some stress. Easier said than done, I know.  Take it in small steps.  Getting organized or starting a schedule for you can do wonders for your stress levels.  Exercise and drinking water can also help with stress.  Helpguide.org suggests starting a “stress journal” to help you identify what your stressors are, thus helping you deal with them.

• Take time for you. “Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.”- helpguide

No matter what you do, make it mandatory to take at least 30 minutes a day just for you.  Read a book, take a bath, go for a walk or even treat yourself to a spa treatment, will give you a much needed mental recharge.  Life can be hard sometimes, but taking care of yourself will help you get through those difficult times much easier.

We all get busy, but imagine taking a mere 60 minutes from your week to put your body in state of total relaxation.  Call it a jumpstart to your week or a fabulous entry into your weekend.  A Swedish massage will not only soothe sore muscles, it will reduce tension.   It’s important to give yourself some me time, relax and enjoy the things that make you happy.

Here’s to a healthy and happy you!

Violet

The molecules of essential oils waft into our nose, where they act like a little “key” in a specific neurological lock. Aromatherapy unlocks specific nervous system responses, bypassing our cognitive processes altogether. For example, you don’t need to know that lavender is relaxing for it to have that effect on you. These powerful scent messages and responses are programmed into our bodies. They affect the most ancient part of our brain, the limbic system, which is the seat of memory and emotion. That’s why a smell can trigger instant memories.

Some essential oils are stimulating (peppermint), some increase concentration (rosemary) and others trigger a euphoric reaction (clary sage.) Their benefits roughly correspond with the part of the plant they come from. For example, oils extracted from the bark of a tree (rosewood, cypress) are beneficial for the skin, since the bark of a tree is its “skin.” Leaves, the lungs of a plant, help respiration (eucalyptus, fir needle.) Flowers, the reproductive organs of plants, are wonderful for enhancing desire. This is why flowers are used in perfumery–they have aphrodisiac properties. Virtually all essential oils are antiseptic, some very much so (lemon, tea tree oil) making them a natural way to fight pathogenic bacteria.

Because aromatherapy is a potent healing modality, it’s important to inform your therapist if you’re allergic to essential oils or if you’re  pregnant.  (Many essential oils should not be used in pregnancy.)  My favorites are peppermint and lavender, which are wonderful for misting the bath room and kitchen area; very uplifting. You can add a few drops to to a relaxing warm bath, add a candle and soothing music–pure heaven!

Some rules of thumb for safe use:

• Avoid applying essential oils directly to the skin. There are a handful of exceptions. Lavender can be used “neat” (undiluted).
• Use a “carrier oil” such as grapeseed or jojoba oil and add essential oils to this, roughly 6 drops per teaspoon of oil.
• Use no more than 6 drops of pure essential oils in a warm bath (hot water is the most potent delivery system for essential oils)
• Ask your spa therapist for guidance as to the most beneficial oils for your use
• Purchase only top-quality oils that have been tested for purity
• Do not use essential oils on infants and small children, unless they are in a product specifically formulated for them

In today’s economy, clients are sometimes wondering whether to continue their regular program of spa treatments. My advice, not only as a spa therapist but a non-practicing registered nurse/ midwife and a PhD in public health is–Yes! Yes! Yes! Self care is worth the investment, despite the fact that most of us put ourselves last. I think we have a hard time believing that something that feels wonderful is also good for us. It’s easy to think it’s mere “pampering” because spa treatments give us pleasure. I’ve always told my clients, “No one else in your life is going to make you take care of yourself. It’s entirely up to you.”

Spa treatments are much more than a guilty pleasure. A therapeutic massage assists in pain relief, stimulating  oxygenating blood cell flow to all areas of the body; it’s also sedating. The aches and pains of life are not something we have to tolerate; pain relief or pain management is probably the most popular reason our clients request massage therapy. While a scalp and face massage is the ultimate in relaxation therapy, it will also help relieve headaches, nourish the tissues of the skin and even reduce nasal congestion.

Massage has both short term and long term benefits if experienced on a regular basis. Touch therapy is something that our bodies are literally designed to respond positively to. We know that infants deprived of touch won’t thrive, and may actually die. The benefits of touch therapy don’t go away when we mature.

You both deserve and need to benefit from skillful touch therapy.
Your best investment is your health.

A  spa retreat at any time is not about pampering its about putting self first in today’s society we are constantly taking care of others  but to give any care of quality,  we have to give from a  well that is full, If we are overstressed, tired, poorly nutritionist we can eventually become ill which benefits no one and is a lot more expensive than a visit to the spa , so use the spa as your retreat from the world . In fact you don’t have to keep a conversation whilst there ,I visit several spas one of the things I request is total tranquility so I can retreat from the world.

This is the only time for a lot of us where some one else is totally focused on our care ,some thing that is overlooked is the value of  therapeutic touch which is very good for us supported by extensive research .for example in England when I worked as a  nurse we had babies who were small for their gestational age we would do therapeutic touch therapy on these infants and guess what they gained weight ,why not share your retreat with a partner.

See you at the spa.