Tranquil Touch Spa's Blog

Learning to Love Your Feet

May 2nd, 2014 • Posted by Tranquil Touch • Permalink

Before you say, "I'm so embarrassed by my feet," allow us to reassure you, we have seen worse. The truth is, no matter how abused your feet appear, we think they're pretty special. What other part of the body would put up with so much neglect without complaint? You walk on them every single day. You hide them away in shoes while pampering your face and hair. You may even forget to clean them thoroughly or keep your toenails in pristine condition - and yet, your feet continue to work hard for you. Here are a few tips to help you give a big ol' "thank you" to your toesies:

  • Come visit! It's not just that we miss you between pedicures, but we are very careful to make sure that your feet look healthy. We soak, exfoliate, clean under the nails, trim, polish and buff your feet until they feel like royalty. While you're luxuriating in the "feel" of the procedure, your feet are thanking you. Experts recommend a pedicure every two weeks.
  • This may sound silly, but don't forget to wash your feet well each day. We know what it's like to jump in the shower, shampoo and condition, wash the body, and call it good. Our feet are "way down there" and sometimes get overlooked. Hey, things happen.
  • Moisturize your sweet feet. Not only do soft feet feel nice on crisp sheets at night, but a good moisturizer will help prevent cracking. Cracking is not just an aesthetic issue, but actually gives germs a place to invade and hide out. Moisturizer is your two-for-one solution.
  • If you're a shoeaholic (or even if you're not, but just don't like shopping for shoes that truly fit), be extra careful to buy shoes that pamper your feet. Walking in too-high arches or on shoes that provide no support can do permanent damage to your feet. Bummer, we know - it seems that all the gorgeous shoes were designed by masters-of-torture, but you owe it to your feet to find a compromise. There are cute shoes out there that cradle your feet comfortably while giving you the look you're going for.

Our feet serve us well, in spite of what we put them through. Just a thought here: why don't we all vow to take better care of them?

 


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Indulge and Pamper Yourself This Mother's Day

April 18th, 2014 • Posted by Tranquil Touch • Permalink

Moms do so much for others that they rarely have time for themselves. A daily list can be so long that it is never completed. Moms stay up late trying to complete tasks before going to bed and sleep is short because it is necessary to rise early to start on the list of the new day. When is there time to rejuvenate? Mother's Day is a time to honor yourself as a mother and take time for relaxation and pampering. It is the richest gift that you can give yourself. Creating time for an indulgent bath is a great way to celebrate yourself and all that you do.  We have some simple steps to follow to get you on your way to well-deserved relaxation and over-due time for yourself.

Start by creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Play some soothing tunes, light a few candles. The ideal candle will have a floral aroma infused with a calming essence. Lavender, clary sage, chamomile, vanilla and sandalwood are all calming essences that work to relieve stress, calm nerves and enhance relaxation. Choose your favorite.

Next, draw a warm bath.

Add a couple tablespoons of your favorite bubble bath or bath salts. Soak in the tub with your eyes closed and take slow, deep breaths. You can also try the "bumble bee breath," an ancient yoga breathing technique that promotes relaxation and the release of serotonin. Start by taking a deep breath and then slowly exhale, while making a buzzing "Mmm" sound. Repeat the breathing exercise for two to five minutes or simply just sit and soak it all in.

After you step of out of the bath, seal in the moisture.

Hydrate your skin with a soothing body lotion that is infused with your favorite calming essence. Lather on body. To promote a deeper sense of relaxation, use the Ayurvedic technique by massaging tense areas like the neck, shoulders and forearms using circular motions at the joints and back-and-forth motions in-between joints. Apply to your abdomen using clockwise circular motions. The Ayurvedic technique promotes harmony and balance, leaving the body feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.

Honor yourself this Mother's Day. It is a holiday meant for you to enjoy.


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3 Exercises Designed To Ease Stress

April 2nd, 2014 • Posted by Tranquil Touch • Permalink

When you're tossed into a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, your body reacts with a full set of defense mechanisms. Your hormones increase, your body tenses and your mind becomes consumed with worry. While everyone handles stress differently, it's important to train yourself to fight stress in a healthy way. Don't reach for a tub of ice cream when you're stressed. Instead, consider any one of these stress-busting exercises.

Running

Love it or hate it, the rhythmic motion involved in running can help you clear your mind. For some, it's less about the rhythm and more about running through the aggression. Pop your earbuds in and take a jog around the block to clear your mind and relax the tension built up in your muscles.

Yoga

Yoga is all about breathing and listening to your body. During a stressful time in your life, a Yoga class is a great place to be. By breathing and embracing the meditation components, you'll kick stress to the curb. If you have a high stress life, consider attending a Yoga class on a regular basis. You'll be able to train your body to identify triggers and teach yourself how to work through stress.

Pilates

Like Yoga, Pilates forces you to focus on just the muscles needed to exercise. By focusing on simple tasks, you'll clear your mind and release the grip of stress.


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