3 Lessons I Learned From Time at the Spa

I was always nervous in the past about “taking time off”. Would it diminish the value of my work in people's minds? Would people believe I wasn’t good at what I do? Would the time away affect my productivity results? I didn't want any of my clients or colleagues to think I wasn’t available to them, never around.

But about four years ago (when I was still teaching high school students) something told me to try it...just once. Nothing could go wrong; it was just an experiment. So one day I took a “Well Day.” This was one of the best gifts I have ever given myself.

I now listen to my body and take a Well Day—or sometimes a Few Well Hours.
I have become so good at this one move it has resulted in no colds, flues, you name it, for the last 2 years.

I still feel those “sick signs”…

But here's the kicker…

When I feel something “coming on” I put many of the preventive tactics I’ve learned in place (including saying no, the toughest one I am still working on). That is how I ended up at the day spa this past Friday where I came up with a few more techniques anyone can put in place right from home-sweet-home.

So here are three lessons I learned from this whole spa-for-a-few-hours experience:

Don’t be afraid to take time off. I don’t just mean from being AT work, but just from being in work mode. Take one day where you don’t answer your cell phone, don’t check your email, don’t go on-line and don’t watch TV. You will be giving your body and your brain such a break you’ll feel like you have been away forever. If you get bored, stay with it; read a magazine, a book, look at art, go outdoors and take a long, long walk. That’s what people do at spas.

Don’t be afraid to spend time by yourself. A client recently shared with me that her children had a sleep-over with a friend of hers. My client took the first candle lit bath she had taken in months and then crawled right into bed to read and go to sleep before 9PM. She woke feeling refreshed and her kids had a great time spending time with their favorite “aunty.” If you don’t have children, just put yourself in bed before 9PM after following Tip #1. (Getting a proper night’s sleep boosts the metabolism and assists with weight loss. THAT is worth missing a TV show once in awhile, yes?)

Start your day with a morning massage. When you wake up in the morning…take a moment to lie on your back and breathe. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Feel your chest rise and fall. Then, stretch your arms over your head. Pretend someone has grabbed your hands and feet and is pulling in opposite directions. Stretch your hands up as far as you can and extend your torso. Feel your body lengthening. Keep your arms over your head and sit up slowly. Bend forward at the waist and try to grab your toes. Hold this forward bend for twenty seconds. Slowly lift up and lie on your back again. Bring your knees to your chest and wrap your arms around your knees, grabbing opposite forearms, or elbows if you can. Put your chin to your chest. Hold for twenty seconds. You’ve just given yourself a morning massage—for your muscles and your organs. NOW—it is time to get up.

Many of my past “jobs” told me not to take Sick Days; if I did, I obviously wasn’t dedicated. I guess they were right about the Sick Days, but I'll always take Well Days—isn’t that what living is about?

Now, go plan your next Well Day!

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Energy~Nutrition Specialist Heather M. Dominick, "The Energy Expert," is author of the information packed 'EnergyRICH Lifestyle' weekly ezine. If you're ready to jump-start your energy, make effective changes, and have more fun in your life, get your FREE subscription and more EnergyRICH Tips at
www.individual-health.net