August is National Wellness Month! As a company that focuses on health and self-care, Hand & Stone knows the importance of having a daily routine that puts your physical and mental wellness first. And while we believe that every day should focus on wellness, August can be a time where you can reflect on your self-care routines and remind yourself to promote healthy habits in your life.
When you focus so much on your career, your family, and everything else going on in the world, it can seem difficult or impossible to take the time out of your day to care for yourself. But it’s important to remember that if you take care of everyone and everything without refilling your own cup every now and then, you could burn yourself out. Even if it’s doing little things, like getting up ten minutes earlier than usual to meditate and stretch your body or treating yourself to your favorite iced latte once a week, it’s important to have a routine in which you’re consciously caring for just you. And make sure you’re doing something you actually enjoy! Forcing yourself to wake up when you really need those ten minutes of sleep could do more harm than good, and if the whole time you’re trying to meditate you’re thinking instead about how you wished you hit the snooze button, then get back under the covers and try again tomorrow. It’s important that you listen to your body and only do what resonates with you.
“Having a routine is something that resonates with me. I’m not going to do anything that doesn’t make me feel good; I’ll only do something if it makes me feel good and keeps me productive,” says Carrie Wiedmann, our Senior Director of Massage Therapy. “I get up early so that I have time to pray, meditate, and exercise before getting ready for my day. I try to eat right, but I don’t believe that you should neglect the things your body is calling for. If you want ice cream, go eat the ice cream!”
Not only do massages and facials make us feel relaxed and reduce stress, but they can have a number of other health benefits, including improving mobility and circulation, lowering your blood pressure, and even strengthening your immune health. (Mayo Clinic). “It’s beneficial to incorporate massage into your self-care routine,” says Carrie. “Whether that’s every week, every two weeks, or once a month, that’s up to you. But it shouldn’t be something that you only get once a year on your birthday. Massage has such a strong influence on mobility and the immune system, which helps with productivity and keeps you moving.”
As a franchisee of a Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, one of the perks is having a spa at your fingertips! In fact, many of our franchisees started as clients and found themselves wanting to get more involved with the company after realizing what a big impact massage had on their own wellness journeys. Chanel Grant, who we highlighted in our blog back in May, is a working mom who owns multiple Hand & Stone franchises in Maryland and Virginia. “As a mom, it can be hard to get self-care in with a busy schedule, but I use spa visits as one of my monthly self-care activities,” she says. “It's a moment to myself for much-needed relaxation. I look forward to it and prioritize it!”
Bill Christy, a franchisee in Hoffman Estates, IL, loves that he can give back to his community by offering opportunities for his neighbors to care for themselves. "Hand & Stone is truly a haven of relaxation," Bill says. "I have visited spas all over the world, and Hand & Stone effectively captures the high-end atmosphere of a resort that allows guests to leave their worries at the door and begin relaxing as soon as they walk in. I am excited to make that experience available to people in their very own neighborhood."
At Hand & Stone, we pride ourselves on offering something for everyone. Whether you need a full body, 90-minute Swedish Massage with CBD Oil and aromatherapy, or just a quick classic facial, we want to help you learn to prioritize your health and wellness. You deserve it!
