How Often Should You Spa?

Author: Song Meng Tan

It is common that when you first get your home spa installed to want to use it every day instead of a shower or bath. This may be okay initially for a while, but you don't want to over do it or get sick of it quickly. The idea is to use it regularly enough to maintain relaxation and good health without affecting your desire to continue long term home spa use.

John, from California, is a perfect example of this problem. He purchased his home spa in 2003 for the purpose of performing health spa massage on a football injury he desperately wanted to recover from. The first night he tried the health spa, he loved it and he awoke feeling better than he had for a long time the next day. Some would say he became obsessive with the spa, using it sometimes from day to night, taking only small breaks for the toilet and meals. This lasted about a month before it became a chore. The positive effects on his injury were noticeable due to his constant spa massages, but he was actually developing other small, niggling injuries due to uneven area concentration on his part. Apart from a very occasional party in his home, he really never got back into using the health spa since that initial month, which was a shame since it was helping so much.

When you are focusing on a certain injury or area, remember not to narrow in on just treating a small spot. Often, injuries are referred from other areas and problems and by allowing the spa massage to be a full body work over, you will ensure any possible problem is addressed and investigated. You could discover a pain in an area you weren't even aware was there or realize that the muscle you thought was the problem is simply responding to another muscle in trouble somewhere else.

Everyone knows what it is like when you stay in the pool for too long and you go all "pruney" or wrinkly from the excessive moisture absorbed by your skin. This is usually a good time to get out of the spa, as your skin has absorbed as much as it can process and can begin to peel and even blister if you stay in there for way too long. Usually, you will notice your fingertips begin to wrinkle first, which is a good indication that it is time to end your session. So you don't over do the home spa novelty, you should try to have only a few a week. Some people like to dedicate a particular night to having a health spa and relaxing, while others like to do it more regularly. The main thing is that you are enjoying yourself and getting the benefits out of it.

With a portable home spa, you can choose whichever bathroom you want to use, then attach and turn your regular bath tub into an exotic resort-like health spa for your personal use. The prices are more reasonable than having a full unit installed in a fixed position and if you ever tire of the whole process, it's easy to store away until the next time you feel like using it.

A good example is if you have a sore back you can get it out and use it a few times a week for a good spa massage. When you are recovered, store it away until you need it

again for a similar reason, to heal injury or reduce stress. Go to http://www.hydrospabusiness.com to find quality portable home health spa that will change your bathing experience forever!

Whether you are using a fixed or portable home spa, it is important to not over do it or over use it. To receive maximum benefits from using your health spa, regular, low level use is best and will maintain the fun factor for you as well. By choosing to turn your bath into a home spa, you can have relaxing, rejuvenating and invigorating health spa baths whenever you want one.

Article Tags: Spa, Health Spa, Portable Spa, Home Spa, Ultrasonic Bath

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-often-should-you-spa-127669.html

Including the Outdoors in Home Remodeling

Author: Home Remodelers Group

A backyard isn’t the same as it used to be – a place to grill, where kids play ball, or just an extra spot to mow. Now the trend is to make the backyard an outdoor retreat or an extension to the house. The Home Remodelers Group® can help transform your outdoors into a beautiful year round sunroom, a deck for entertaining or even an outdoor kitchen.

As reported in the May 2006 Consumer Reports, designing and furnishing an outdoor room is the second most likely home-remodeling project to do. Specifically, approximately 1.2 million U.S. households will install a fully functional outdoor kitchen, according to a study by the industry research company inquiry.

In 2004, Better Homes and Gardens magazine received survey responses from nearly 60,000 Americans describing home improvement projects and future home-building aspirations. Better Homes and Gardens found that people want indoor/outdoor livability, technological innovations, flexibility for family needs and a kitchen-centric focus. (REMODELING Magazine, September 1, 2005)

Homeowners are seeking ways to make the outdoors a functional part of the living area. To accomplish that, the barriers between outdoors and indoors, such as walls and solid doors, are going away. As cited in “A Simple Way to Increase Outdoor Living Space” at HGPgal.com, for homeowners looking to add to their living space, improve their lifestyle and increase the resale value of their home, the perfect solution is to extend living areas outdoors through the addition of decks, patios, outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas.

"The line between the house and the outdoor space continues to disintegrate," says Julie D. Taylor, author of Outdoor Rooms. "Many designers are using the same, or similar, materials both on the interior and exterior to extend the house to the outdoors. It breaks down the barrier and gives a feeling of a larger house."

Alternatively, instead of thinking of the barriers disintegrating, another solution is effective indoor-outdoor connections. These connections can include French doors opening up onto a porch, or the addition of a window to expose a lovely view. Indoor-outdoor connections can be as simple as adding a mudroom between the garage and the home, or more complex, such as an outdoor entertainment area placed just outside the doors of a home's main gathering space. Adding visual connections to the outdoors, such as through the addition of glass doors or enlarging a window, adds value to your home by making its interior space appear larger than it actually is. (“Connect Inside of Your House with the Beauty Outdoors,” Ann Robinson, Deseret News, April 2005)

To create the outdoor living space that you want, start by determining your budget and your desires.

Consumer Reports provides some tips about what to consider for building room extensions or outdoor entertainment areas:

* Determine how you will use your space

* Consider location

* Be sure to weatherproof

* Incorporate lighting and heat

* Consider safety

No matter what extension you decide to make, it will undoubtedly add value to your home. As cited by Ann Robinson in Deseret News, “Exterior living space adds usable square footage to your home without costing you the $120-plus per square foot you'd spend for the construction of an addition.”

The Home Remodelers Group® can work with you to determine your indoor-outdoor remodeling desires. We have many gorgous sunroom plans and other renovating features available on our website at www.homeremodelersgroup.com. So, if you need a new area to relax and enjoy reading your favorite book, a place to create a new home gym, a place to add a spa to create your own special oasis, or an area for entertaining family and friends, a new sunroom, deck, or outdoor kitchen may be the perfect solution. We can help bring the outdoors in or take your family out in a comfortable and relaxing setting.

For more information visit: http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/?source=articles

Article Tags: Home Remodeling, Home Improvement Remodeling, Home Remodeling Contractor, Remodeling Contractor

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/including-the-outdoors-in-home-remodeling-102011.html

Creating an at - Home Spa Ritual

Author: Alien

Baths have existed in one form or another since the beginning of time. The pre- and post-biblical Greeks, Turks, and Romans loved their spas. Today's French use the same ocean-water therapy centers as their ancestors, and 21st century Californians enjoy Calis toga mud treatments.

Even if the closest you've come to a spa experience is the mask-and-makeover parties of your teen years, you know how refreshing it feels to step away from life's cares and into a world of self-directed hedonism. But spa time is about more than luxury, it's about self-care: when you don't make time for yourself, your mood suffers, as do your well­being, your looks, and even your health. Fortunately, you don't need to travel to some fancy, faraway spa to unwind. An easier, more doable option is to bring the spa home by turning your bathroom into a pampering center.

The spa routine

Choose a time when you have a few uninterrupted hours. Evening is ideal; after your spa time, you can simply crawl into bed with a book or slip into your favorite party dress for a night out. Follow these simple steps:

Select soft music: New Age, classical, or jazz are ideal. If your stereo is in another room, turn its volume to a level that is audible in the bathroom, or place a portable CD player in a dry corner of the bathroom.

Do not bring homework, office work, newspapers, a radio, or any other potential irritants into your self-made spa sanctuary. In order to recharge your spirit, you must truly "get away from it all. "

Position a glass of drinking water next to the tub; it's easy to feel dehydrated in a steamy bathroom.

Get a bottle of massage oil, almond oil, or sesame oil; or try an essential oil.

Place facial cleanser, toner, and moisturizer within easy reach. You may choose to have a large bowl to hand, ready for facial steaming.

Get out a comfortable robe and find two or three plush towels. If your bathroom is not equipped with a clock, place a watch in an easily visible position.

Secure one or more scented candles in spots where they cannot be knocked over; dim or switch off the lights.

Fill the bath with warm water. Add your favorite bath oil, Epsom salts, bubble bath, or four drops of an essential oil.

Avoid hot water when bathing. Not only does it dry your skin, but overly hot water can make you feel sluggish.

Lower yourself into the water, lie back, and relax. Refrain from thinking about your day, your debt, your hips, your in-laws, or anything else that makes you crazy Keep your mind clear and breathe deeply. Continue thinking of nothing and breathing deeply for up to 20 minutes; any longer than this and you risk drying out your skin.

Face first

Facials make skin glow by temporarily increasing blood circulation to the face. Giving yourself an at-home version of this spa treat is easy. After washing your face, fill up a large bowl or your bathroom sink with very hot water. If you'd like, add one or two drops of essential oil to the water.

If you suffer from broken capillaries, steam's heat can make these small, distended blood vessels worse; better to skip the steaming step.

Hold your head 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 em) above the water, and then create a tent by draping a large towel over your head, neck, shoulders, and the bowl or the sink. Remain in this position for 5 to 10 minutes, being careful to keep the towel draped securely around the bowl or sink. Take away the towel and then tone your skin thoroughly.

Article Tags: Home Spa

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/creating-an-at-home-spa-ritual-375637.html

Bathroom Lighting and Home Spas

Author: John Dickinson

When choosing the type and location of lighting, think about the layout of your bathroom. There might be a certain place you want to accent or you may want extra brightness around mirrors. You should also consider lighting that can be switched from dim to bright, so you can match your mood when getting ready for work or taking a relaxing bath. Although unique and extravagant lighting may be right for you, these lighting options tend to overpower smaller bathrooms.

Bathrooms have evolved from a simple room with a toilet, shower, sink and mirror to elaborate home spas. You no longer need to step outside your home to find a relaxing and soothing atmosphere to ease your daily stress. Home spas are not only for the wealthy; today’s technology gives you tons of affordable options to transform your bathroom into the spa of your dreams.

Here are some tips on creating your own home spa at an affordable price:

Use simple and soothing patterns and colors that you find relaxing in your bathroom.

Use aromatherapy candles. They make for relaxed lighting and exude a desirable scent.

Use thick, cotton towels or robes and slippers for a spa-like feeling.

Incorporate nature themes into your bathroom, such as plants or shapes of tropical fish or flowers.

Place a small CD player in your bathroom and keep relaxing music on hand.

Add furniture, such as a comfortable chair, to your bathroom.

Place multiple shower heads that can be adjusted in your shower or jets in your bathtub. Add steam to your shower to promote relaxation.

Install heated tile in your flooring. It will keep your feet warm and cozy and make your wet floor dry faster to make it less slippery.

If you find television programming relaxing, add a TV screen to your bathroom.

Choose lighting that can be dimmed to give your bathroom a peaceful atmosphere.

Article Tags: Bathroom Remodeling, Bathroom Lighting, Spa, Lighting, Home Spa, Home Bathroom Spa

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/bath-showers-articles/bathroom-lighting-and-home-spas-494317.html