Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Magazine #82 2021

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Spa Innovation Natural & Organic

Spa

Lifestyle Relaxation & Health Therapies

s k i n v i t a l i t y b o d y b a l a n c e

A Professional take on SPA Business, Health Therapies, Products & Simple Relaxation 2021*ISSUE*82

C O N T E N T S *82

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EURO SPA

s k i n v i t a l i t y b o d y b a l a n c e

The Unstoppable Rise of Wellness Continues 2 “Understanding Wellness” 4 Skincare Guru, Renée Rouleau, Shares 25 Skin Secrets 6 Touchless Technology In Wellness Today 10 Five of the Best Touchless Spa Treatments 12 “No-Touch” New Normal Prompts a Closer Look at Augmenting Wellness with Touchless, Automated Hydromassage 14 Ozone Therapy by Salvagente 16 Activate your Longevity Genes 20 Spa Treatments for Cellulite by Bellabaci 24 A Spiritual Guide to Gratitude 28 How to Unplug Your Spa for the Ultimate Digital Detox 30 Conscious Wellness in the Spa Space 32 Eleven Spa Towns inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site 34 Sustain & Gain 38 Key Principles for Sustainable Packaging 40 Circular Furniture Manufacturing 42 Sacred Geometry by Africology 44 #SpaWasteNotChallenge – Embrace the Opportunities! 46 Wellness Destinations Get into Serious Emotional Healing 48 Why “Circadian Time” will become the Foundation of Health and Wellness 50 Is Mental Wellness an Individual or Collective Responsibility? 52 Multi Roll disposable bed sheets for the Ultimate Hygienic Experience by HDW 54 Pricing your Spa Menu is Not So Complicated 56 How Technology can Add a Personal Touch in your Spa 58 5 Technology Trends Shaking up the Spa Industry 60 Tear down the Walls 62 Too many Choices 64 How Spa Management Software makes your Life Easier 66 Travel Trends 68

E d i t o r s

W e l c o m e

THE SPA INNOVATION / NATURAL & ORGANIC ISSUE Today’s top spas are embracing innovation in all aspects design, sustainability, personal client programs, technology, staff training and gratitude, etc: introducing all kinds of features to create an amazing client experience. As a wellness industry we continue to evolve and explore, as featured in the current issue of Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Magazine and how these innovations could benefit your establishment!

The world of Natural and Organic is becoming more and more embraced with all the new sustainable innovations and blue movements. This is seen in our food and skincare, and it is more a collective approach to wellness, including sleep, fitness, mental health, connection to nature, architecture, wellness travel and more.

It is important to look at all aspects of your business, and explore both micro and macro wellness trends to ensure that you are abreast of the latest being offered across the spa and wellness industry.

These spa innovations can be added to other existing spa services or proposed in open access to customers in any establishment wanting to upsell wellness. All create the well-known “wow!” effect and help your spa or salon stand out in the crowd of competitors.

Enjoy the read !

Dr. Nadine de Freitas Les Nouvelles Esthetiques International Publisher I 7, avenue Stephane Mallarme 75017 PARIS Tel: 01 43 80 06 47 Fax: 01 43 80 83 63 www.nouvelles-esthetiques.com I Fondateur : H. Pierantoni I Directeur de la Publications: Jeannine Cannac-Pierantoni I Redactrice en chef: Michéle de Lattre-Pierantoni I International Editions • Argentina • Baltic • Benelux • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • China • France • Greece • Hong Kong • Hungary • Israel • Italy • Japan • Mexico • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Singapore • South Africa • Spain • Taiwan • Turkey • Ukraine • USA • Yugoslavia Les Nouvelles Esthétiques South African Edition I Max Cafe P. O. Box 81204, Parkhurst Johannesburg, South Africa 2120 I Tel: +27 83 267 2773 e-mail: info@lesnouvelles.co.za www.lesnouvelles.co.za I Publisher/Creative Director : Anthony de Freitas e-mail: tony@maxcafe.co.za I Managing Editor : Dr. Nadine de Freitas e-mail: nadine@maxcafe .co.za I Editor ial Assistant: Sarene Kloren editor ial @lesnouvelles.co.za I Adver tising Enquir ies: Dr Nadine de Freitas e-mail: info@lesnouvelles.co.za I Subscription Enquiries: Tel: +27 83 267 2773 e-mail: info@lesnouvelles.co.za or visit: www.lesnouvelles.co.za

spa therapies A new survey has found the rise of wellness continues as consumer interest and spending grows. After a stressful year of lockdowns and health-related fears, the meteoric rise of wellness continues.

A new survey from management consulting firm McKinsey adds to the growing body of research showing that consumers care deeply about wellness and that interest is growing.

The company surveyed more than 7,000 consumers in six countries: Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and found that consumers in every market reported a substantial increase in the prioritization of wellness over the past two to three years. Seventy-nine percent of respondents believe that wellness is important, and 42% consider it a top priority. McKinsey estimates the global wellness market at more than $1.5 trillion, with annual growth of five to 10%.

Among the 10 wellness markets analyzed, revenue growth leaders from 2015–2017 were the spa industry (9.8 percent), wellness tourism (6.5 percent) and wellness real estate (6.4 percent).

second highest spending in every country except Germany, where people spend more money on fitness.

Of that money, products account for 70% of wellness spending while services account for 30% and consumers expect to increase their purchases of both wellness products and services over the next year. McKinsey expects a greater shift toward services that emphasize physical and mental health.

The research also revealed six consumer wellnessrelated trends that have been gaining momentum.

1. Natural/clean products These include skincare, cosmetics, multivitamins, subscription food services, and sleep enhancers.

2. Personalization A substantial majority of global consumers around the world say they prioritize personalization now more than they did two or three years ago.

3. Shift to digital

The Wellness Categories most important to Consumers The survey identified the wellness categories that are most important to consumers as the following:

The…um… influence of influencers on purchase decisions continues to rise while the influence of celebrities is reportedly waning.

Better fitness — creative fitness offerings that meet the needs of consumers in their homes have seen unprecedented growth in the past year.

5. Services

Better appearance — wellness-oriented apparel (“athleisure”) and beauty products and services, including nonsurgical aesthetic procedures.

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Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Better sleep — half of global consumers reported a desire for more products and services to meet the need for higher-quality sleep.

Better mindfulness – meditation and relaxation apps like Headspace and Calm. More than half of consumers want to prioritize mindfulness, and want more mindfulness products and ser vices.

Appearance is a Top Priority

By Spa Executive

4. Influencer marketing

Better health — medicine and supplements, consumer medical devices, and personal-health trackers.

Better nutrition — nutrition apps, diet programs, juice cleanses, and subscription food services.

The Unstoppable Rise of Wellness Continues

As has been noted many times, this move to digital has been “happening at the speed of ‘a decade in days.’”

Better health is the most important wellness category across all countries, which makes sense, as it could be viewed as encompassing all the other categories.

Better health was also the category with the highest level of spending across every market. Across other categories, appearance was the category with the

Interest in services that address physical and mental health needs, like personal trainers, nutritionists, and counseling services, is on the rise.

6. Blurring of category lines McKinsey says, “Companies are considering how to play across the health and wellness categories and channels.” Lululemon’s acquisition of interactive home gym company, Mirror, for example.

In every category, more consumers said they will spend more on wellness in the future than those who said they would spend less. The categories in which consumers plan to increase their spend the most include memory/brain enhancers, anti-aging products, beauty supplements, non-invasive cosmetic procedures, nutrition, and meditation/mindfulness offerings.

The market demands increasingly more sophisticated, integrated wellness experiences These findings echo what our industry leaders have been saying for years. In a recent interview with

Spa Executive, global wellness expert, Sonal Uberoi said, “Wellness is the new luxury that today’s consumers are looking to our industry to provide as they pursue a state of wellbeing that allows for a fuller human experience than traditional hospitality typically provides.

“It has become standard to find a spa and gym in five-star luxury hotels, but the market now demands increasingly more sophisticated, integrated wellness experiences.

“Guests now crave a sense of connection from a hotel stay. People who are travelling less want to travel better and be nourished, healed, surprised and delighted, whatever their reason for travel – from before they arrive to during their stay and beyond.”

Hospitality companies should be paying attention to these wellness categories and considering how they can leverage wellness offerings to increase revenue and enhance guest experience.

For more on how wellness can elevate your guest experience and how to leverage these offerings, read our interview with Uberoi about her book, The Wellness Asset: How wellness can transform and future-proof your spa and hotel.

spa therapies A new survey has found the rise of wellness continues as consumer interest and spending grows. After a stressful year of lockdowns and health-related fears, the meteoric rise of wellness continues.

A new survey from management consulting firm McKinsey adds to the growing body of research showing that consumers care deeply about wellness and that interest is growing.

The company surveyed more than 7,000 consumers in six countries: Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and found that consumers in every market reported a substantial increase in the prioritization of wellness over the past two to three years. Seventy-nine percent of respondents believe that wellness is important, and 42% consider it a top priority. McKinsey estimates the global wellness market at more than $1.5 trillion, with annual growth of five to 10%.

Among the 10 wellness markets analyzed, revenue growth leaders from 2015–2017 were the spa industry (9.8 percent), wellness tourism (6.5 percent) and wellness real estate (6.4 percent).

second highest spending in every country except Germany, where people spend more money on fitness.

Of that money, products account for 70% of wellness spending while services account for 30% and consumers expect to increase their purchases of both wellness products and services over the next year. McKinsey expects a greater shift toward services that emphasize physical and mental health.

The research also revealed six consumer wellnessrelated trends that have been gaining momentum.

1. Natural/clean products These include skincare, cosmetics, multivitamins, subscription food services, and sleep enhancers.

2. Personalization A substantial majority of global consumers around the world say they prioritize personalization now more than they did two or three years ago.

3. Shift to digital

The Wellness Categories most important to Consumers The survey identified the wellness categories that are most important to consumers as the following:

The…um… influence of influencers on purchase decisions continues to rise while the influence of celebrities is reportedly waning.

Better fitness — creative fitness offerings that meet the needs of consumers in their homes have seen unprecedented growth in the past year.

5. Services

Better appearance — wellness-oriented apparel (“athleisure”) and beauty products and services, including nonsurgical aesthetic procedures.

2

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Better sleep — half of global consumers reported a desire for more products and services to meet the need for higher-quality sleep.

Better mindfulness – meditation and relaxation apps like Headspace and Calm. More than half of consumers want to prioritize mindfulness, and want more mindfulness products and ser vices.

Appearance is a Top Priority

By Spa Executive

4. Influencer marketing

Better health — medicine and supplements, consumer medical devices, and personal-health trackers.

Better nutrition — nutrition apps, diet programs, juice cleanses, and subscription food services.

The Unstoppable Rise of Wellness Continues

As has been noted many times, this move to digital has been “happening at the speed of ‘a decade in days.’”

Better health is the most important wellness category across all countries, which makes sense, as it could be viewed as encompassing all the other categories.

Better health was also the category with the highest level of spending across every market. Across other categories, appearance was the category with the

Interest in services that address physical and mental health needs, like personal trainers, nutritionists, and counseling services, is on the rise.

6. Blurring of category lines McKinsey says, “Companies are considering how to play across the health and wellness categories and channels.” Lululemon’s acquisition of interactive home gym company, Mirror, for example.

In every category, more consumers said they will spend more on wellness in the future than those who said they would spend less. The categories in which consumers plan to increase their spend the most include memory/brain enhancers, anti-aging products, beauty supplements, non-invasive cosmetic procedures, nutrition, and meditation/mindfulness offerings.

The market demands increasingly more sophisticated, integrated wellness experiences These findings echo what our industry leaders have been saying for years. In a recent interview with

Spa Executive, global wellness expert, Sonal Uberoi said, “Wellness is the new luxury that today’s consumers are looking to our industry to provide as they pursue a state of wellbeing that allows for a fuller human experience than traditional hospitality typically provides.

“It has become standard to find a spa and gym in five-star luxury hotels, but the market now demands increasingly more sophisticated, integrated wellness experiences.

“Guests now crave a sense of connection from a hotel stay. People who are travelling less want to travel better and be nourished, healed, surprised and delighted, whatever their reason for travel – from before they arrive to during their stay and beyond.”

Hospitality companies should be paying attention to these wellness categories and considering how they can leverage wellness offerings to increase revenue and enhance guest experience.

For more on how wellness can elevate your guest experience and how to leverage these offerings, read our interview with Uberoi about her book, The Wellness Asset: How wellness can transform and future-proof your spa and hotel.

spa therapies New resource will bring clear, expert insights on how wellness is evolving now and into the future; first report analyzes the four global forces driving the explosive growth in the wellness economy The Global Wellness Institute™ (GWI), a nonprofit research and educational resource for the world wellness industry, today launched a new white paper series: “Understanding Wellness.” The new research papers are designed to become the go-to primer for policymakers, businesspeople, researchers and students to understand—in clear and simple terms and backed by rich data— the major force that wellness has become around the world and how it will evolve in the future. This first paper, The Global Forces Driving the Growth of the Wellness Economy, examines the four macro forces that are propelling consumer demand and the ongoing, surging growth of the wellness economy around the world. Future topics will include important definitions and terminologies, a thorough history of wellness, and the wellness movement’s social and economic implications.

“Wellness is a concept that is both ancient and contemporary. Because of that, most people have an intuitive understanding of what it means, how to apply it to daily life, or how to create business opportunities out of it,” noted Ophelia Yeung, GWI senior researcher and coauthor of the series. “The wellness economy is now a $4.2 trillion global industry. Yet, the questions that we most often encounter are: ‘What is wellness?’ ‘Why is it growing?’ and ‘What does it really mean?’ In the ‘Understanding Wellness’ series, we want to answer these questions because a common language for and basic understanding of wellness can help bridge the divide with other industries and disciplines and broaden its applications and impacts.”

The white paper released today examines the four global forces that are driving the seemingly unstoppable growth of wellness. In recent decades, vast economic, technological, social, demographic, and environmental changes have transformed every aspect of our lives—our homes and communities, food, work, shopping, education, friendship, leisure, travel, etc.—with both positive and negative impacts on our wellbeing. The growth of wellness practices and businesses is fundamentally a consumer response to these developments, and this movement is turning into a major societal and economic force.

The Four Forces Driving the Wellness Boom: 1) The world’s population is growing sicker, lonelier and older.

Deteriorating health, the spread of loneliness and mental illness, and the ramifications of aging all negatively impact people’s happiness and wellbeing.

In response, consumers around the world are proactively turning to wellness approaches as alternatives to address these challenges.

2) The environmental crisis is also a health crisis. Environmental degradation and its causes are bringing immediate, direct, severe and widespread harm to human health and wellbeing—from the air we breathe to how we procure and consume food to how we live and travel. As people become aware of these risks, they’re seeking out alternative lifestyles that are simultaneously healthier for themselves and more sustainable for the planet.

“Understanding Wellness” 3) Health systems are failing to keep up while the economic burden rises. Health systems are failing in countries all around the world, and the economic burden is unsustainable. Therefore, it’s not surprising that consumers, employers and even governments are turning to wellness approaches to complement and address deficiencies in healthcare and to turn from “sick care” to prevention.

4) Demographics, value systems and lifestyles are all evolving toward wellness. Consumer values are changing fast, moving toward a lifestyle of wellness that is fundamentally shifting consumer behaviors and consumption patterns. This shift is bolstered by the rise of the middle class, urbanization, the accessibility of so many new options, and a burgeoning concern about the impact of ubiquitous technology.

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Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

spa therapies

Skincare Guru Renée Rouleau Shares 25 Skin Secrets

By Julie Keller Callaghan - Well Defined

Longtime skincare expert Renée Rouleau’s eponymous skincare line is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. In honor of this auspicious occasion, this skin pro with a cult following has shared 25 informative, interesting, and eclectic revelations that most profoundly shaped her growth as a skin expert, brand founder, and human being.

1. Hang your head upside down for two minutes at night.

“Circulation slows down with age,” says Roulou. “On most nights, I hang my head upside down off the side of my bed to increase blood flow to my face. This helps to increase oxygen and bring fresh blood and new nutrients to the skin cells and gives an instant, glowing boost to the skin.”

2.

Fashionista to be a complexionista.

A fitness enthusiast, Roulou spends a lot of time wearing workout clothes. To avoid messy sunscreen application, she avoids wearing tank tops and opts for crew neck t-shirts (often long-sleeved). This makes protecting the chest easy by using clothing coverage.

“It’s a lot easier to prevent daily skin damage than trying to get rid of it once it appears, so keep that body covered,” she says.

When shopping for regular clothes, she advises clients to avoid yellow-based colors (mustard, olive green, khaki, bronze, and burnt orange shades) that can make the skin appear sallow and dull. She prefers cool-toned shades of pink, light blue, and silver that generally enhance the skin’s natural glow and brightness.

3. Always close the window shade on an airplane to block out skin-damaging UV rays.

When you’re 30,000 feet closer to the sun, skin is put at a higher risk for damage. Did you know that airline pilots have a higher risk of developing skin cancer, because airplane windshields only filter about 50 percent of dangerous ultraviolet (UVA) rays? Rouleau says she closes the window shade whenever she travels on planes.

6.

The real glow up.

Rouleau says that the secret to glowing skin can be found in a jar of skincare. She recommends using “performance” formulas that increase the skin’s moisture and glow. And for extra radiance, Rouleau adds glow-boosting makeup like pore-minimizing makeup primers, “blurring” foundations, and shimmery powders that allow the skin to reflect light for a healthy, dewy complexion.

7. For treating under eye dryness, don’t rely solely on an eye cream.

Exfoliate the eyes to hydrate, combat dullness and fine lines, and maximize how your eye cream performs. Consider an eye-specific exfoliating treatment like her Overnight Eye Serum, a gentle acid-based serum made for the delicate eye area that dissolves and removes dry skin cells. When used regularly, the product’s moisturizing effects boosts overall hydration for the eye area.

8. To make a blemish go away fast, you must treat it in sync with its life cycle.

Blemishes have a life cycle, and it’s best to address a breakout swiftly and carefully.“The biggest mistake I see people make is aggressive treatments using harsh drying spot treatments that dry the skin, trap the infection, and prevent the whitehead from exiting the skin’s surface,” says Rouleau. “The infection, or bump, can stretch out the skin tissue and create melanin activity, which leads to a longer-lasting discolored mark.” According to her, less is more and no picking!

skin never gets an opportunity to become tight, dry, or dehydrated as a result of osmosis.”

12. Heat (not from just the sun) can be a trigger for hyperpigmentation.

The sun isn’t the only culprit behind sunspots. Heat also worsens pigmentation by increasing melanocytes activity when the skin’s internal temperature is raised. That means protect UVexposed skin and reduce heat-induced activities when possible, like cooking over grills or spending time in saunas and steam rooms, and some forms of exercise (particularly hot yoga).

13. Skip complexion cocktailing.

Trendy skin care mixing and layering is just that, not an effective strategy. Because the skin can only absorb so much, Rouleau says excessive product won’t add benefits, it’s just a waste. Skin acts like a sponge and can only take in so much moisture before it starts to pour out. So, when you mix serums together, you not only cut results in half due to dilution, you also waste money. Instead, she says to alternate serums nightly so skin can absorb all the good benefits each formula has to offer in full.

14. Never interfere with your sunscreen.

Sunscreen is clinically tested to perform optimally straight out of the tube. When diluted or mixed with serums or oils, it degrades effectiveness. Apply SPF last and don’t interfere with the formula.

15. Drinking water is the least efficient way to hydrate the skin.

9. Neck neglect.

Don’t think treating the neck with leftover SPF residue from a face application is enough.“If you’re someone who applies sunscreen to your face, and then carries down whatever is left over onto your neck, you’re making a big mistake,” says Rouleau. “The neck needs its own generous application. I always apply one generous layer to my face and then another for my neck, the sides of the neck and the ears.”

Drinking water is essential to good health, but it’s far less efficient at hydrating the skin. Water runs through the intestines, is absorbed into the bloodstream, and then is filtered out by the kidneys.

It hydrates the cells inside the body, but not the skin. Apply moisture topically to maintain ideal hydration and use well-formulated moisturizers, serums, and alcohol-free toners.

16. Recipes for wellness, not skin.

4.

Nine different skin types philosophy.

Esthetician school addresses skin narrowly – categorizing types as dry, normal, and oily. In real life, Rouleau observed a much broader range of unique concerns that transcended this limited view.

This realization is what led to her Nine Skin Types and Skin Quiz.

5.

The daily foundation.

Upon moving to Texas from Boston, Rouleau made a skin-altering discovery—Southern women had fewer visible wrinkles and a smoother skin texture.

She quickly concluded that makeup-loving Texans were unknowingly packing on extra skin and sun protection from daily foundation wear. “After that, I started wearing foundation makeup or a mineral powder every single day and encourage my clients to do the same,” she says.

6

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

10. Avoid drinking out of narrow bottles or bottles with a straw.

“Similar to squinting this repeated facial expression actually breaks down collagen and elastin fibers over time,” she says. “When drinking a beverage, avoid using straws or narrow bottles, because pursing the lips can lead to unnecessary lines and wrinkles around the mouth, like smoker’s lines. Little lifestyle changes can make a difference over a lifetime.” Instead, drink out of a wide-mouth cup.

Rouleau is constantly being asked about DIY recipes for the skin using fresh ingredients from the kitchen or refrigerator. “Although it seems a natural and unadulterated approach to healthy, non-toxic benefits, it’s not effective,” she says. When you eat, saliva starts to break down the food that then passes through the digestive tract. Nutrients from the food are distributed throughout the body where needed.

The skin doesn’t work this way, so it isn’t possible to topically apply food and expect the nutrients to benefit the skin.

11. The ‘Golden Minute’ rule.

17. Exfoliate with care.

Skin cells are like fish and need water to live (it’s what makes the skin look plump, dewy, and bouncy).

Keep cells thriving and avoid dehydration by working through your routine quickly. “Within a minute of cleansing, apply an alcohol-free toner to deliver water to thirsty cells followed by a serum and a moisturizer,” says Rouleau. “In doing this,

Daily exfoliation is not only aggressive, it can also be damaging to the skin’s protective barrier, allowing moisture to easily escape. This can cause skin inflammation, lack of radiance and bounce. “While I love a good at-home acid peel, facial scrub, and exfoliating serum, I give my skin a break every few

spa therapies

Skincare Guru Renée Rouleau Shares 25 Skin Secrets

By Julie Keller Callaghan - Well Defined

Longtime skincare expert Renée Rouleau’s eponymous skincare line is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. In honor of this auspicious occasion, this skin pro with a cult following has shared 25 informative, interesting, and eclectic revelations that most profoundly shaped her growth as a skin expert, brand founder, and human being.

1. Hang your head upside down for two minutes at night.

“Circulation slows down with age,” says Roulou. “On most nights, I hang my head upside down off the side of my bed to increase blood flow to my face. This helps to increase oxygen and bring fresh blood and new nutrients to the skin cells and gives an instant, glowing boost to the skin.”

2.

Fashionista to be a complexionista.

A fitness enthusiast, Roulou spends a lot of time wearing workout clothes. To avoid messy sunscreen application, she avoids wearing tank tops and opts for crew neck t-shirts (often long-sleeved). This makes protecting the chest easy by using clothing coverage.

“It’s a lot easier to prevent daily skin damage than trying to get rid of it once it appears, so keep that body covered,” she says.

When shopping for regular clothes, she advises clients to avoid yellow-based colors (mustard, olive green, khaki, bronze, and burnt orange shades) that can make the skin appear sallow and dull. She prefers cool-toned shades of pink, light blue, and silver that generally enhance the skin’s natural glow and brightness.

3. Always close the window shade on an airplane to block out skin-damaging UV rays.

When you’re 30,000 feet closer to the sun, skin is put at a higher risk for damage. Did you know that airline pilots have a higher risk of developing skin cancer, because airplane windshields only filter about 50 percent of dangerous ultraviolet (UVA) rays? Rouleau says she closes the window shade whenever she travels on planes.

6.

The real glow up.

Rouleau says that the secret to glowing skin can be found in a jar of skincare. She recommends using “performance” formulas that increase the skin’s moisture and glow. And for extra radiance, Rouleau adds glow-boosting makeup like pore-minimizing makeup primers, “blurring” foundations, and shimmery powders that allow the skin to reflect light for a healthy, dewy complexion.

7. For treating under eye dryness, don’t rely solely on an eye cream.

Exfoliate the eyes to hydrate, combat dullness and fine lines, and maximize how your eye cream performs. Consider an eye-specific exfoliating treatment like her Overnight Eye Serum, a gentle acid-based serum made for the delicate eye area that dissolves and removes dry skin cells. When used regularly, the product’s moisturizing effects boosts overall hydration for the eye area.

8. To make a blemish go away fast, you must treat it in sync with its life cycle.

Blemishes have a life cycle, and it’s best to address a breakout swiftly and carefully.“The biggest mistake I see people make is aggressive treatments using harsh drying spot treatments that dry the skin, trap the infection, and prevent the whitehead from exiting the skin’s surface,” says Rouleau. “The infection, or bump, can stretch out the skin tissue and create melanin activity, which leads to a longer-lasting discolored mark.” According to her, less is more and no picking!

skin never gets an opportunity to become tight, dry, or dehydrated as a result of osmosis.”

12. Heat (not from just the sun) can be a trigger for hyperpigmentation.

The sun isn’t the only culprit behind sunspots. Heat also worsens pigmentation by increasing melanocytes activity when the skin’s internal temperature is raised. That means protect UVexposed skin and reduce heat-induced activities when possible, like cooking over grills or spending time in saunas and steam rooms, and some forms of exercise (particularly hot yoga).

13. Skip complexion cocktailing.

Trendy skin care mixing and layering is just that, not an effective strategy. Because the skin can only absorb so much, Rouleau says excessive product won’t add benefits, it’s just a waste. Skin acts like a sponge and can only take in so much moisture before it starts to pour out. So, when you mix serums together, you not only cut results in half due to dilution, you also waste money. Instead, she says to alternate serums nightly so skin can absorb all the good benefits each formula has to offer in full.

14. Never interfere with your sunscreen.

Sunscreen is clinically tested to perform optimally straight out of the tube. When diluted or mixed with serums or oils, it degrades effectiveness. Apply SPF last and don’t interfere with the formula.

15. Drinking water is the least efficient way to hydrate the skin.

9. Neck neglect.

Don’t think treating the neck with leftover SPF residue from a face application is enough.“If you’re someone who applies sunscreen to your face, and then carries down whatever is left over onto your neck, you’re making a big mistake,” says Rouleau. “The neck needs its own generous application. I always apply one generous layer to my face and then another for my neck, the sides of the neck and the ears.”

Drinking water is essential to good health, but it’s far less efficient at hydrating the skin. Water runs through the intestines, is absorbed into the bloodstream, and then is filtered out by the kidneys.

It hydrates the cells inside the body, but not the skin. Apply moisture topically to maintain ideal hydration and use well-formulated moisturizers, serums, and alcohol-free toners.

16. Recipes for wellness, not skin.

4.

Nine different skin types philosophy.

Esthetician school addresses skin narrowly – categorizing types as dry, normal, and oily. In real life, Rouleau observed a much broader range of unique concerns that transcended this limited view.

This realization is what led to her Nine Skin Types and Skin Quiz.

5.

The daily foundation.

Upon moving to Texas from Boston, Rouleau made a skin-altering discovery—Southern women had fewer visible wrinkles and a smoother skin texture.

She quickly concluded that makeup-loving Texans were unknowingly packing on extra skin and sun protection from daily foundation wear. “After that, I started wearing foundation makeup or a mineral powder every single day and encourage my clients to do the same,” she says.

6

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

10. Avoid drinking out of narrow bottles or bottles with a straw.

“Similar to squinting this repeated facial expression actually breaks down collagen and elastin fibers over time,” she says. “When drinking a beverage, avoid using straws or narrow bottles, because pursing the lips can lead to unnecessary lines and wrinkles around the mouth, like smoker’s lines. Little lifestyle changes can make a difference over a lifetime.” Instead, drink out of a wide-mouth cup.

Rouleau is constantly being asked about DIY recipes for the skin using fresh ingredients from the kitchen or refrigerator. “Although it seems a natural and unadulterated approach to healthy, non-toxic benefits, it’s not effective,” she says. When you eat, saliva starts to break down the food that then passes through the digestive tract. Nutrients from the food are distributed throughout the body where needed.

The skin doesn’t work this way, so it isn’t possible to topically apply food and expect the nutrients to benefit the skin.

11. The ‘Golden Minute’ rule.

17. Exfoliate with care.

Skin cells are like fish and need water to live (it’s what makes the skin look plump, dewy, and bouncy).

Keep cells thriving and avoid dehydration by working through your routine quickly. “Within a minute of cleansing, apply an alcohol-free toner to deliver water to thirsty cells followed by a serum and a moisturizer,” says Rouleau. “In doing this,

Daily exfoliation is not only aggressive, it can also be damaging to the skin’s protective barrier, allowing moisture to easily escape. This can cause skin inflammation, lack of radiance and bounce. “While I love a good at-home acid peel, facial scrub, and exfoliating serum, I give my skin a break every few

spa therapies

days to not stress out my skin’s protective barrier,” says Rouleau.

18. Change up your look with new makeup,hairstyle, and clothing.

understand this difference when choosing the right products; consult with a skin professional for guidance,” she says.

well-formulated product, go to work immediately to perform its function. As a living organism, skin can change over time and require modifications and tweaks for optimum care.

21. The good skin diet.

25. Finding Self-Confidence.

An image consultant once told Rouleau: “There is nothing more aging for a woman than never changing her look.” Shortly after receiving that advice, she changed her blonde hair to pastel pink.

“I really try to keep it fun and open-minded when it comes to my appearance—never getting into a rut,” she says. “Fear of change could be what is holding you back from being your best, most vibrantlooking, youthful self.”

19. Be sure to use a vitamin A product like retinol or a prescription retinoid for the rest of your life.

Early in Rouleau’s career, she had the opportunity to meet Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick, a renowned dermatologist who created the “Fitzpatrick Skin Type” system. “It was then that he showed me his hands and asked, ‘Can you see the difference in my hands?’” she says. “I couldn’t believe my eyes; one hand appeared so much younger with fewer wrinkles, brown spots, and less uneven texture.”

Why? Fitzpatrick made a point of demo-ing to his patients how to use Retin-A, a popular prescription acne medication, to counteract its harsh side effects.

By applying it repeatedly on the same hand, he started to notice retinol’s anti-aging benefits and then went on to become instrumental in the FDA’s approval of retinol to reduce wrinkles. Since then, Rouleau always promotes and practices using retinol for the long term. Experiment with retinol before you upgrade to prescription-strength.

You are what you eat? Eat clean and your skin will glow? Not quite. Rouleau knows plenty of people with a poor diet and perfect skin and vice versa.

Although it’s always worth experimenting with your diet to observe patterns, you can’t eat your way to great skin. However, there does seem to be a link between consumption of dairy and cystic breakouts on the chin and jawline area. If this is your issue, try cutting out dairy and see if your skin shows improvement.

22. All blemishes are not equal.

Pustules, whiteheads, papules, closed comedones, cysts, and nodules are all various names for blemishes and clogged pores. Each unique in how they appear, they need to be treated that way too. “The biggest mistake I see people make is using a blemish spot treatment on all of these and then wonder why their skin isn’t responding,” says Rouleau.

23. Don’t wait to perform your nighttime routine right before going to bed.

Try to perform your nighttime skincare routine in the early evening versus bedtime. Here’s why: • You’re less likely to be lazy; meaning, you might skip out on doing a post-cleanse mask or applying eye cream if you’re exhausted.

• You’ll increase nighttime products’ benefits. It was previously thought that the skin’s repair processes kick in during sleep, but it’s now believed to occur when the day goes from light to dark.

20. Dry and dehydrated aren’t the same.

24. Skin doesn’t get bored.

Usually lumped together, dry and dehydrated skin types are very different. Dry skin is lacking oil and requires richer products to keep it feeling moist and looking flake free. Dehydrated skin can produce oil but lacks water, requiring more lightweight, humectant-rich formulas. “It’s so important to

8

Skin doesn’t build up an immunity to skincare products over time and stop working. There is no direct mechanism for skin to become immune to the effects of products. When product is applied, the skin’s receptors will take it in, and, assuming it’s a

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

“At age 51, I’m noticing changes in my skin, and ones that I don’t particularly like,” says Rouleau.

“Because I’m the face and the spokesperson for my brand, people will inevitably judge my product line based on how my own skin looks. This can put some pressure on me to have the look of perfect skin.”

However, she insists that she keeps a good, healthy balance of continuing to pursue treatments that can improve her skin, but not overdoing things that make her look unnatural. “I don’t only focus on my looks and book a dermatologist appointment every time I see a wrinkle,” she says. “Instead, I do things for myself that bring me pure joy and confidence like riding my Triumph motorcycle, setting a fitness goal, or challenging myself to new experiences like moving to Austin six years ago just to change things up. I try to embrace all that life has to offer and the fuel this gives me on the inside is what brings me confidence on the outside.”

About: Julie Keller Callaghan Julie is the co-founder of Well Defined and a longtime influencer and advocate in the wellness world. Along with her work at Well Defined, she is an executive recruiter and marketing specialist for Hutchinson Consulting. She is also a consultant and content strategist for numerous wellness brands. She is the former editor-in-chief and publisher of American Spa and was named a 2019 Folio Top Woman in Media in the Industry Trailblazers category and a 2018 winner of ISPA’s Innovate Award. She is also a seasoned journalist, specializing in spa, travel, health, fitness, wellness, sustainability, and beauty. She has been published in Departures, ForbesTraveler.com, E! Online, Gayot.com, Insider’s Guide to Spas, Luxury Travel Advisor, Marin Magazine, Ocean Home, Smart Meetings, Spa Asia, and Travel Agent.

spa innovation

In a world where technology is becoming more and more intrusive, is there a limit to how far technology in wellness will go? So far there does not seem to be a limit – and the level of technology available has moved far beyond Fitbit wearable devices, and Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets. Massage chairs and Foot Massagers can be experienced in homes and airports around the world and are manufactured by multiple companies globally. Today wellness technologies include everything from The Biohacking Orbs to Rasha.

So how to take wellness technologies out of the home or retail environment into the professional spa and wellness sphere?

Gharieni have arguably done this with their Spawave system, born of a need at a U.S. Military Veterans Hospital in Florida in 2005, the brainwave entrainment technology used has been tested and researched by the U.S. Army, the Miami VA as well as other behavioral health, addiction treatment, and acute care facilities. The technology employed enables the bed to be used for a therapist free treatment experience.

Other touchless technology devices include the Prism Light Pod whose red light therapy is used to accelerate the natural healing process of the body, help to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation and chronic pain, soothe arthritis, shrink fat cells, and boost collagen production amongst other claims.

The Biohacking Orb

Touchless Technology In Wellness Today

10

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

One of the new-kids-on-the-block (and arguably one of the most exciting) is The Biohacking Orb a customizable, sacred geometric chamber for enhancing physical and mental performance and improving overall well-being.

The Biohacking Orb is a platform designed for today’s sophisticated – and typically time-challenged – wellness seeker, delivering evidence-based modalities via the latest and greatest high-tech biohacks to enable users to realize personal development and wellness goals in minutes versus hours. High-tech, evidence-based wellness modalities of the Biohacking Orb are combined to help users overcome the limitations and constraints that nature and aging can impose on our bodies and minds.

You can build on one of the four base-model ORBs – the Energy ORB, Healing & Recovery ORB, Blissful Sleep ORB, and Detox ORB – and customize with additional modalities including: • Aromatherapy/halotherapy inhalation.

• Red light treatments Chakra Mandala (The Tree of Life).

• Infrared chakra mandala (The Tree of Life).

• Color therapy chakra mandala (The tree of life).

• Compression air massage.

• EMF built-in mattress.

• Vibroacoustic built-in mattress.

The zero-gravity sleep position design of the Biohacking Orb makes an ORB a comfortable chamber for self-administered treatments.

Sound & Vibration Focusing on total body well-being with thousands of preset frequencies and programs for a multitude of health issues including weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, depression, chakra balancing, brain entrainment, pain, and injury recovery is the Cell Tunes Software a sound frequency software designed to be used with quality speakers and headphones!

Includes an on-line training session for optimal use, and instructional videos for easy reference!

For those seeking a more vibrational experience, the VibraSonic ProX is claimed as the ultimate no sweat workout. A passive exercise machine that can improve your lymphatic health and provides the means to exercise nearly one hundred trillion cells in your body simultaneously through sonic vibration, achieving in ten minutes what an hour of cardiovascular exercise does. The whole body vibration machine has an audio speaker in the base that has a frequency range of 0.1 – 100,000 Hz. to enhance your passive exercise experience and create ‘Music for Your Cells and Body’.

Combining sound and vibrational frequency, The Rasha purports to promoted Mind Harmony by providing a relaxing and healing experience through vibrational frequency, and achieve stress release and relaxation to reclaim our innate ability to selfheal. The system is a scalar-plasma-sound technology with a resonant frequency that harmonizes the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to relieve stressors, transmute negative habitual patterns, support relaxation, cellular detoxification, and healing from stress and inflammation. Harmonization of the autonomic nervous system, brain hemisphere synchronization, emotional trauma release, and systematic chakra realignment are the claimed outcomes from this technology.

Ratcheting this up a bit is the Huber 360® Evolution a medical device that exercises the entire body gently and safely. With its multi-axis motorized platform and force sensors in the platform and handles, the Huber 360® exercises the entire body gently and safely. Using a complete performance assessment, the patented technology breaks down a patient’s workout into the four fundamentals of movement: a. Flexibility and mobility – Targeted exercises will help you quickly increase your range of motion, mobilizes joints safely, and soothes pain quickly.

b. Dynamic Strengthening – On-screen feedback enables to intelligently improve strength and better coordinate movements – strengthening superficial muscles as well as core muscles. c. Posture and balance – Balance games help to support oneself and become more confident in the movements to correct posture and improve balance. d. Resistance – Dynamic exercises that are adapted to the physical condition increase resistance, change BMI, and improves the cardiovascular system.

The device integrates a functional assessment with seven reference tests and proposes a complete and personalized report.

Entering the high-tech science world and trying to understand how devices that use pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) such as PEMF-Devices can be daunting. Sometimes it is easier to experience the results and not worry about trying to understand the science behind how it works. PEMF therapy is also known as low field magnetic stimulation (LFMS), and uses electromagnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit. The intensity, field gradient, duration, and placement of the magnet will determine the degree of benefits to be achieved. Available in wearable, mats, whole-body systems, and high-intensity machines.

Pulse & Flow For those more active members of society, Normatec offers high-tech equipment which a clinically proven method to increase circulation, and reduce soreness, as well as aid athletes to perform at their best.

Initially created to enhance blood flow and speed recovery, the NormaTec PULSE Massage Pattern employs pulsing, gradients, and distal release as its key techniques: a. Pulsing – dynamic compression (pulsing) is used to transport fluid out of the limbs, more effectively mimicking the muscle pump of the legs and arms, greatly enhancing the movement of fluid and metabolites out of the limbs. b. Gradients – veins and lymphatic vessels have one-way valves that prevent fluid backflow. Normatec uses hold pressures to keep fluids from being forced in the wrong direction. c. Distal Release – special pulse technology releases the hold pressures once they are no longer needed to prevent backflow. This zonal release of pressure as soon as possible ensures the limb maximizes its rest time without a significant pause between compression cycles.

spa innovation

In a world where technology is becoming more and more intrusive, is there a limit to how far technology in wellness will go? So far there does not seem to be a limit – and the level of technology available has moved far beyond Fitbit wearable devices, and Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets. Massage chairs and Foot Massagers can be experienced in homes and airports around the world and are manufactured by multiple companies globally. Today wellness technologies include everything from The Biohacking Orbs to Rasha.

So how to take wellness technologies out of the home or retail environment into the professional spa and wellness sphere?

Gharieni have arguably done this with their Spawave system, born of a need at a U.S. Military Veterans Hospital in Florida in 2005, the brainwave entrainment technology used has been tested and researched by the U.S. Army, the Miami VA as well as other behavioral health, addiction treatment, and acute care facilities. The technology employed enables the bed to be used for a therapist free treatment experience.

Other touchless technology devices include the Prism Light Pod whose red light therapy is used to accelerate the natural healing process of the body, help to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation and chronic pain, soothe arthritis, shrink fat cells, and boost collagen production amongst other claims.

The Biohacking Orb

Touchless Technology In Wellness Today

10

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

One of the new-kids-on-the-block (and arguably one of the most exciting) is The Biohacking Orb a customizable, sacred geometric chamber for enhancing physical and mental performance and improving overall well-being.

The Biohacking Orb is a platform designed for today’s sophisticated – and typically time-challenged – wellness seeker, delivering evidence-based modalities via the latest and greatest high-tech biohacks to enable users to realize personal development and wellness goals in minutes versus hours. High-tech, evidence-based wellness modalities of the Biohacking Orb are combined to help users overcome the limitations and constraints that nature and aging can impose on our bodies and minds.

You can build on one of the four base-model ORBs – the Energy ORB, Healing & Recovery ORB, Blissful Sleep ORB, and Detox ORB – and customize with additional modalities including: • Aromatherapy/halotherapy inhalation.

• Red light treatments Chakra Mandala (The Tree of Life).

• Infrared chakra mandala (The Tree of Life).

• Color therapy chakra mandala (The tree of life).

• Compression air massage.

• EMF built-in mattress.

• Vibroacoustic built-in mattress.

The zero-gravity sleep position design of the Biohacking Orb makes an ORB a comfortable chamber for self-administered treatments.

Sound & Vibration Focusing on total body well-being with thousands of preset frequencies and programs for a multitude of health issues including weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, depression, chakra balancing, brain entrainment, pain, and injury recovery is the Cell Tunes Software a sound frequency software designed to be used with quality speakers and headphones!

Includes an on-line training session for optimal use, and instructional videos for easy reference!

For those seeking a more vibrational experience, the VibraSonic ProX is claimed as the ultimate no sweat workout. A passive exercise machine that can improve your lymphatic health and provides the means to exercise nearly one hundred trillion cells in your body simultaneously through sonic vibration, achieving in ten minutes what an hour of cardiovascular exercise does. The whole body vibration machine has an audio speaker in the base that has a frequency range of 0.1 – 100,000 Hz. to enhance your passive exercise experience and create ‘Music for Your Cells and Body’.

Combining sound and vibrational frequency, The Rasha purports to promoted Mind Harmony by providing a relaxing and healing experience through vibrational frequency, and achieve stress release and relaxation to reclaim our innate ability to selfheal. The system is a scalar-plasma-sound technology with a resonant frequency that harmonizes the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to relieve stressors, transmute negative habitual patterns, support relaxation, cellular detoxification, and healing from stress and inflammation. Harmonization of the autonomic nervous system, brain hemisphere synchronization, emotional trauma release, and systematic chakra realignment are the claimed outcomes from this technology.

Ratcheting this up a bit is the Huber 360® Evolution a medical device that exercises the entire body gently and safely. With its multi-axis motorized platform and force sensors in the platform and handles, the Huber 360® exercises the entire body gently and safely. Using a complete performance assessment, the patented technology breaks down a patient’s workout into the four fundamentals of movement: a. Flexibility and mobility – Targeted exercises will help you quickly increase your range of motion, mobilizes joints safely, and soothes pain quickly.

b. Dynamic Strengthening – On-screen feedback enables to intelligently improve strength and better coordinate movements – strengthening superficial muscles as well as core muscles. c. Posture and balance – Balance games help to support oneself and become more confident in the movements to correct posture and improve balance. d. Resistance – Dynamic exercises that are adapted to the physical condition increase resistance, change BMI, and improves the cardiovascular system.

The device integrates a functional assessment with seven reference tests and proposes a complete and personalized report.

Entering the high-tech science world and trying to understand how devices that use pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) such as PEMF-Devices can be daunting. Sometimes it is easier to experience the results and not worry about trying to understand the science behind how it works. PEMF therapy is also known as low field magnetic stimulation (LFMS), and uses electromagnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit. The intensity, field gradient, duration, and placement of the magnet will determine the degree of benefits to be achieved. Available in wearable, mats, whole-body systems, and high-intensity machines.

Pulse & Flow For those more active members of society, Normatec offers high-tech equipment which a clinically proven method to increase circulation, and reduce soreness, as well as aid athletes to perform at their best.

Initially created to enhance blood flow and speed recovery, the NormaTec PULSE Massage Pattern employs pulsing, gradients, and distal release as its key techniques: a. Pulsing – dynamic compression (pulsing) is used to transport fluid out of the limbs, more effectively mimicking the muscle pump of the legs and arms, greatly enhancing the movement of fluid and metabolites out of the limbs. b. Gradients – veins and lymphatic vessels have one-way valves that prevent fluid backflow. Normatec uses hold pressures to keep fluids from being forced in the wrong direction. c. Distal Release – special pulse technology releases the hold pressures once they are no longer needed to prevent backflow. This zonal release of pressure as soon as possible ensures the limb maximizes its rest time without a significant pause between compression cycles.

spa innovation

Five of the best touchless spa treatments How to maximise your therapists’ service time, introduce new revenue opportunities and provide peace of mind for guests as they return to the spa environment.

The device works by trapping infrared heat to raise the body’s temperature, which in turn improves sleep, fights skin ageing, prepares the muscles for exercise and stimulates detoxification.

In a post-lockdown world, it is likely that spa guests will fall into one of two categories: those who are ready to get back into the spa and those who want to, but are, understandably, nervous. However, advances in touchless technology can enable spas to augment their treatment offerings specifically to cater to these guests.

The device also features a remote control system, enabling staff to manage, set up and monitor treatments from the reception desk, making it a completely contactless treatment.

By offering therapist-free options alongside their regular treatment menus, spa operators will be able to deliver effective Covid-compliant experiences that provide complete peace of mind for more risk-averse guests.

To find out more about the latest touchless treatments, European Spa asked five experts in the field to showcase their technology.

SINGLE VAULTZ Art of Cryo Single Vaultz from Art of Cryo is a one-person cryotherapy chamber that puts guests in control of their experience. For use in smaller spas and even in hotel rooms, two Single Vaultz models – V1 and V1 Lux – have been designed to enable guests to walk straight into their treatment without interacting with a therapist.

The brand, a division of L&R Kältetechnik, has recently partnered with software provider ProCcare to help guide users through their treatment, allowing them to choose its duration and input variables including age, sex, BMI, skin type and preferred thermal sensation. The treatment is then verified by a trained therapist. Users can also choose from a number of treatment protocols, such as beauty and wellness, health and prevention, lifestyle, sport and fitness, elite spor ts, rehabilitation and medical.

INFRATHERAPY Iyashi Dôme Iyashi Dôme is an individual sauna device that combines Japanese traditions with infrared technology. It was inspired by the ancient practice of sand bathing in which people bury themselves in hot sand to induce sweating in order to release toxins.

CELLISS Gharieni Produced by renowned spa equipment supplier Gharieni, Celliss is a therapist-free body contouring device that targets cellulite and aids weight loss.

Billed as a 100% touchless experience, Cellis is operated by an intuitive touch-screen that enables users to personalise and begin their treatments with just one touch, no therapist required.

The device uses Gharieni’s patented Total Slimming System, which consists of 96 three-centimetre nozzles that target the adipose tissue on the buttocks, hips and abdominals with percussive movements to smooth and tone the skin and enhance the silhouette.

Sessions can last up to 30 minutes and users can choose from 10 targeted experiences depending on their needs.

THE VESSEL Sensync US wellness company Sensync offers virtual reality (VR) experiences in The Vessel – a VR pod that is designed to ‘displace guests from the burdens of their mind and unlock new approaches to restoration.’

Providing clients with what is described as a ‘deepbrain massage’, The Vessel simultaneously delivers stereoscopic visuals, audio input, scent, vibroacoustics, wind and temperature effects to distract guests from goal-directed thoughts and allow for uninterrupted cognitive res toration.

Dr Alex Theory, co-founder and CEO, Sensync “While traditional massage may offer benefits for aching muscles, they are not designed as a treatment for the mind or overall mental health, Sensync’s immersive sensory experiences are designed to take guests on journeys that capture the attention in such a deep manner that they pull mental resources away from thinking. The Vessel’s unique technology delivers critical benefits such as improved attention, stress reduction and mood enhancement.”

By Lauren Heath-Jones

ZEROBODY Starpool Starpool’s Zerobody combines a dry flotation bed with a meditation app that claims to regenerate the mind and body in just 20 minutes.

Originally designed to make wellness more accessible in corporate settings, the Zerobody system consists of a heated water mattress that creates the sensation of floating by gently cradling the body, making the user feel weightless.The Zerobody app, developed to be used in conjunction with the bed, features meditations developed by neuroscientist Nicola De Pisapia as well as breathing exercises created by freediving champion Andrea Zuccari.

Benefits of the experience include stress and pain relief, improved sleep quality, heightened relaxation and muscle recovery.

“Wellbeing is a psychophysical condition based on the balance between body and mind. We at Starpool have always been convinced of this. With Zerobody we want to push this further, with an approach intended to redefine the very concept of wellness.”

SENSORA LIGHT THERAPY Anadi Martel Developed by physicist Anadi Martel, who has studied the therapeutic effects of light for more than 40 years, Sensora Light Therapy is a multi-sensory, immersive experience combining light, vibration and sound therapies.It was designed to promote healing through light as it positively interacts with the body’s bio-rhythms, such as breathing and heartbeat.

A computerised system that requires no operation by staff, Sensora features 20 LED light sources that are projected onto a large, circular screen as clients listen to a special soundtrack in a reclining chair equipped with transducers that convert the sound into physical sensations.

Anadi Martel, developer, Sensora Light Therapy “Sensora offers a pure light experience of exquisite beauty, bringing peace to the mind and balance to the autonomic nervous system,” says Martel.

“It supports the body’s homeostasis and has been clinically proven to help the brain rest, reducing stress and inducing deep relaxation. Its mood-uplifting effects are beneficial for a wide variety of issues including insomnia, chronic pain and depression.”

spa innovation

Augmenting Wellness with Touchless, Automated Hydromassage A new white paper, entitled “Hydromassage in Today’s ‘No Touch’ Normal,” from the Global Wellness Institute’s Hydrothermal Initiative explores the opportunities and benefits that automated, therapist-free dry hydromassage offers spas in a physically-distant, post-COVID environment.

The paper’s author, Dr. Kerstin Bremser, a professor at Germany’s Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences, suggests that evidence-based automated dry hydromassage, which has been proven in clinical studies to successfully treat issues like sciatica, chronic low-back pain, and pinched nerves, etc., could be an effective alternative for those seeking touchless body work. The automated devices have been effectively used in medical and rehab centers throughout Europe for over a quarter of a century.

“Dry hydromassage systems not only deliver highquality hygienic treatments that are touchless and require minimal staff time, but they can also be customized for personalized wellness experiences,” said Bremser. “For example, guests choose which body zones need more attention and can alter pressure, speed and duration of a treatment. The customization also makes it possible for spas to create and save numerous treatments/massage journeys.”

14

The paper includes interviews with numerous spa and wellness experts, all of which acknowledged that, though most spa-goers would prefer going back to the treatments they know and love, changes in behavior will be necessary due to new norms and regulations to inhibit virus spread. Spas will have to update and refine their existing spa menu, reducing treatments that demand touch and finding high-quality wellness alternatives, such as automated massages, relaxation pods, inhalation therapy and hydrothermal bathing.

In addition, the paper acknowledges that a key issue for spa operators pre-COVID was the availability of well-trained staff. Industry experts anticipate this problem to become even more acute post-pandemic, given the added pressure that the new norms will put on therapists safeguarding their own well-being and that of guests. And, because therapists are responsible for the hygiene of the treatment rooms they work in, another byproduct is that they will likely have less time to dedicate to clients as sanitizing and disinfecting rooms will take longer.

“At least in the short term, social distancing rules will limit the number of guests that can be in a spa at any one time, while new protocols will likely increase operating costs,” said Don Genders, Chair

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

of the GWI Hydrothermal Initiative and CEO of Design for Leisure. “To minimize the financial impact, operators will need to get creative in how they offer safe, hygienic and unique spa experiences – automated dry hydromassage offer a relevant and effective alternative.”

The white paper, which was commissioned by GWI’s Hydrothermal Initiative, a collaborative of hydrothermal experts and thought leaders, can be accessed here. The Initiative’s white paper series is suppor ted by the following companies: Unbescheiden, Barr + Wray, Design for Leisure, Dornbracht, Gharieni Group, Hygromatik, KLAFS, Kemitron, Lux Elements, Sommerhuber, TechnoAlpin and WDT. About the GWI Hydrothermal Initiative: This Initiative was formed in 2010 to increase education and transparency regarding the design and implementation of thermal and wet areas. To this end, the Initiative has developed and published a key resource, the Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards, available for free download. In addition, the Initiative aims to educate therapists, specialists and users on the most beneficial ways to use these features to attain health and wellness.

www.rapidlash.co.za

sponsored advertorial

Oxygenate your Body with Ozone Therapy

Oxygen is the single most important nutrient for the body and your wellness. The body can survive weeks without food, days without water ... but only minutes without oxygen. Every cell of the body requires a continuous supply to generate energy, detoxify the body and maintain healthy cells. Any reduction in the availability of oxygen to the body reduces the optimal performance of these essential cellular functions. Low oxygen levels are caused by poor posture and breathing, deoxygenated water and refined foods, smoking, lack of exercise, environmental pollution or exposure to carbon monoxide.

A lack of sufficient oxygen is a major cause of poor health. It leads to conditions such as arthritis, low immunity, constant tiredness, cancer, regular colds and flu's, hay fever, migraine, low vitality, and a number of other illnesses. When the body is flooded with an activated form of oxygen (ozone), people consistently report that these conditions (and their general health, wellbeing and energy levels) dramatically improve.

Ozone (03} is activated oxygen (02), and in a short period of time the 03 molecule will revert back to oxygen. During this short half life cycle, the O3molecule can therefore be utilized for sanitation and sterilization purposes. Ozone inactivates viruses, bacteria, yeas t, fungus and protozoa.

Is Ozone Therapy Dangerous?

Our company, Salvagente, takes great care to ensure all our Customers receive proper training and have all the information about the Do's and Don'ts of ozone therapy.

Ozone therapy in the steam saunas are not dangerous at all, especially when correctly administered and when following the correct protocols. There are, however, a few important things to consider:

irritate the lungs and airways. That is why your head is outside of the sauna and the opening sealed around your neck.

• Some individuals should consult with their general practitioners before going for ozone therapy. These include, but are not limited to, pregnant women, individuals with heart disease or high/ low blood pressure.

Is Ozone Therapy Ligit?

Ozone has risen in prominence over the last decade as a viable alternative health modiality. As the therapy assist the body in natural healing, results should not be expected overnight, but should rather be viewed as a lifestyle. Multiple sessions are required to affect a positive change and get the desired results.

What are the Benefits of Ozone?

Ozone therapy increases the oxygen in your body, which improves the body's ability to combat a range of ailments. Ozone therapy has over 100 health benefits. Ozone helps reduce toxins and impurities in your body as well as help fight viruses and bacteria.

Reported benefits include: fighting infections such as allergies, colds & flu, alleviating headaches, insomnia, anxiety and stress. It is also known to help fight diseases like hypertension, heart disease, neurological disorders and cancer.

How Many Sessions are Required?

Almost 14 years in the ozone industry revealed that this varies from person to person. For most, a total of 10 sessions will yield goad results. These 10 sessions should be completed within 3 weeks to a month. Itis recommended to continue with less frequent sessions even when improvements are achieved.

• When inhaled in large quantities, ozone can

16

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

By Chris Porter - Salvagente

Can my Body Overdose on Oxygen?

No. Ozone therapy should be part of your daily health & wellness routine. Your body can, however, react to the detox process. This reaction is called a healing/detox crisis. Symptoms can range from headaches, nausea and body aches to the most common symptom - a rash. If your body reacts to ozone in this way, you are on the right track and should persist - you are detoxing your body of years and years of toxins and impurities.

Should I buy a Sauna or rather go for Sessions?

The main consideration to make is whether you are purchasing a sauna for private or professional use.

What's great about owing your own sauna is not only that you and your family will benefit from ozone therapy daily, but you'll also be able to earn an additional income. We have a network of affiliated outlets around the world which you can visit for sessions, also in South Africa.

Happy Customer "| had indescribable amount of pain (sic). | suffered facial paralysis from shingle symptomatic with Ramsay Hunts Syndrome. Most of the pain medication the doctors administered had unfavorable side effects. Being diabetic, effected my recovery negatively.

After my first session | had no pain. Significantly | am experiencing additional changes in my wellbeing.|had to reduce my diabetic medications because | don't need it as much, my skin feels amazing; my vitality is back; my metabolism increased dramatically; my hair is stronger and | am no longer on pain medication‚”Alicia, New Zealand. (Letter was shortened, Ed.) For more info: contact Salvagente Tel: 072 422 1967 / info@salvagente.co.za Or visit: www.salvagente.co.za

spa lifestyle

Activate Your Longevity Genes: Five Natural Compounds Simulate Caloric Restriction

By Julius Goepp, MD - Life Extention Magazine The most scientifically validated way to extend life span-from single-celled organisms to mammals-is caloric restriction This technique has been shown to boost life span by nearly 100% in some species.

Reducing the number of ingested calories-while maintaining healthy intake of essential nutrientstriggers a cascade of anti-aging mechanisms in the body. More than 70 years of research have established its life-extending power.

Modern science has only recently begun to unravel the mystery behind how calorie restriction so radically extends life span. At its core lies favorable alterations in gene expression-one of the body's adaptive responses to reduced calorie intake. By activating certain genes and disabling others, caloric restriction dramatically slows ageing.

This retardation of ageing delays the onset of degenerative disease while improving biomarkers of youth, ranging from metabolic rate and insulin sensitivity to cardiac health and cognitive function.

By the same token, the consequences of caloric overconsumption are equally profound. Every excess calorie brings you one step closer to age-related illness and death.

This is true at any stage of life, whether you're lean or overweight, regardless of your health or nutritional status. Eating more than your body needs (excessive energy intake) can load the blood with triglycerides, glucose, homocysteine, and pro-inflammatory chemicals. The results are accelerated ageing processes, prompting deterioration across multiple biomarkers of health.

Most humans find it difficult to submit to a sufficiently rigorous dietary regimen, leaving the benefits of calorie restriction tantalizingly out of reach. Until now!

In this article you will discover the most compelling evidence to date on the effects of caloric restriction.

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In a milestone 20-year study of Rhesus monkeys-our close genetic relatives-a modestly restricted diet resulted in a three-fold reduction in the risk of agerelated disease! You will also learn about five natural compounds that favourably modulate gene expression to support a more youthful health profile.

These “caloric restriction mimics” simulate many of the beneficial effects of caloric restriction through multiple pathways.

Ageing individuals may now enjoy some of the youth-promoting, disease-fighting mechanisms of caloric restriction-without strict dietary measures.

Benefits of Calorie Restriction in Humans All available data indicate that calorie restriction also slows ageing and reduces the risk of killer diseases in humans as well. Individuals who impose a 20% reduction in their calorie consumption for 26 years lose fat weight and show significant improvement in their markers of ageing, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and glucose control.

Even brief periods of caloric restriction can temporarily improve core body temperature and insulin sensitivity, which happen to be markers of longevity. In clinical studies, short intervals of caloric restriction have reduced systemic inflammation-an underlying factor of so many chronic, degenerative diseases.

More youthful heart muscle performance has also been observed-caloric restriction appears to increase the number of vital energy-producing mitochondria in heart and skeletal muscle, reducing the oxidative damage that accelerates ageing.

No other intervention documented in the scientific literature can compete with caloric restriction as a candidate for slowing ageing and supporting youthful health in humans.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

It is regrettable that most ageing individuals don't lower calorie intake by the 20-30% reduction required to reap the benefits of caloric restriction, as it can dramatically lower disease risk and add years to their lives.

Caloric Restriction “Mimics” and Gene Expression Researchers have identified a select group of nutrients that trigger many of the same underlying mechanisms of action as caloric restriction. Among the most promising of these caloric restriction mimics and enhancers are: Resveratrol - found grapes, blueberries & raspberries Pterostilbene - found in blueberries, grapes & almonds.

Quercetin - a flavonol found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains.

Grape seed extract along with Black tea extract - both available as supplements These nutraceuticals have been shown to generate many of the same effects in the body as caloric restriction. In particular, they “mimic” caloric restriction's favorable impact on genes that influence the ageing process.

Genes have the capacity to directly affect life span by regulating a broad spectrum of ageing factors, from inflammation and metabolic function. Calorie restriction exerts a beneficial effect on the activity of gene expression, supporting healthy cellular function through numerous physiological pathways.

This includes: • Blocking inflammatory factors • Optimizing fat and carbohydrate metabolism • Lowering serum glucose • Supporting endothelial function • Inhibiting cancer development and proliferation Compounds that mimic caloric restriction bring about favorable changes in gene expression and improve the primary biomarkers of ageing.

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Beauté Pacifique presents New Cremé Symphonique Line SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN SKIN CARE

Beauté Pacifique is Danish skin care that effectively works on both age degeneration and sun damage.

Since the beginning of 1997, the Danish skincare range, Beauté Pacifique, has grown into an internationally recognised brand which beauty experts and super models swear by. Effect and documentation are the two indispensable principles in the whole idea behind the skincare products in Beauté Pacifique.

When the first cream with vitamin A, Crème Métamorphique, from Beauté Pacifique became available on the market in 1997, it was the only skincare product in the world able to document the ability to significantly rejuvenate skin.

The skin care products are made to fulfill near-medical claims and the claimed benefits can be demonstrated objectively at the sales outlets by ultrasound-scanning “before and after” The New Créme Symphonique Line by Beauté Pacifique is the latest patented breakthrough in dermatological science, after 4 years in development.

The range comprises of: • Beauté Pacifique Crème Symphonique Night Cream • Beauté Pacifique Crème Symphonique Day Cream • Beauté Pacifique Symphonique Hyaluronic Serum

The NEW Créme Symphonique Line by Beauté Pacifique is the latest patented breakthrough in dermatological science. 46 Active Ingredients rejuvenating and revitalising in the perfect Symphony of Luxury Pure Skin Perfection.

Nothing Compares.

Beauté Pacifique Crème Symphonique Night Cream ups the ante, by including 6 different derivatives of Vitamin A for a highlypotent, Retinol-based anti-aging night cream.

What are the benefits: • Contains 6 different types of Vitamin

A for a visible anti-aging effect.

• Contains a patented squalanebased nano-technology for the ultimate delivery system.

• Skin appears rejuvenated and revitalised.

• Helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Offers a brightening and unified tone to skin.

• Formulated with mature skin in mind.

• Highly potent formula - less is more Beauté Pacifique Crème Symphonique Day Cream tackles the visible signs of ageing with slowrelease ingredients to protect you from dawn ‘til dusk What are the benefits: •Instantly beautifies the skin.

•Rejuvenates and revitalises the look of skin for an anti-aging benefit.

• Helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Offers a brightening and a unified tone to the skin.

• Active ingredients are slowly released to the skin for all-day action.

• Formulated with mature skin in mind.

• Highly potent formula - less is more.

Beauté Pacifique Symphonique Hyaluronic Serum considers how its active ingredients will be absorbed by skin, what will happen once it gets there and what best to pair them with for all-day hydration An hydrating Hyaluronic Acid serum, that's also MORE than just a Hyaluronic Acid serum, thanks to the clever inclusion of advanced antiaging peptide technology.

Not just another hydrating serum, Beauté Pacifique Symphonique Hyaluronic Serum considers how its active ingredients will be absorbed by skin, what will happen once it gets there and what best to pair them with for all-day hydration, in a very clever little serum that’s sure to become your new beauty bestie.

For more info: contact International Master Trainer, Julia Wills, on julia@blueskyinternational.co.za or Wayne La Grange on wayne@blueskyinternational.co.za or visit: www.beaute-pacifique.com

sponsored advertorial

Beauté Pacifique presents New Cremé Symphonique Line SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN SKIN CARE

Beauté Pacifique is Danish skin care that effectively works on both age degeneration and sun damage.

Since the beginning of 1997, the Danish skincare range, Beauté Pacifique, has grown into an internationally recognised brand which beauty experts and super models swear by. Effect and documentation are the two indispensable principles in the whole idea behind the skincare products in Beauté Pacifique.

When the first cream with vitamin A, Crème Métamorphique, from Beauté Pacifique became available on the market in 1997, it was the only skincare product in the world able to document the ability to significantly rejuvenate skin.

The skin care products are made to fulfill near-medical claims and the claimed benefits can be demonstrated objectively at the sales outlets by ultrasound-scanning “before and after” The New Créme Symphonique Line by Beauté Pacifique is the latest patented breakthrough in dermatological science, after 4 years in development.

The range comprises of: • Beauté Pacifique Crème Symphonique Night Cream • Beauté Pacifique Crème Symphonique Day Cream • Beauté Pacifique Symphonique Hyaluronic Serum

The NEW Créme Symphonique Line by Beauté Pacifique is the latest patented breakthrough in dermatological science. 46 Active Ingredients rejuvenating and revitalising in the perfect Symphony of Luxury Pure Skin Perfection.

Nothing Compares.

Beauté Pacifique Crème Symphonique Night Cream ups the ante, by including 6 different derivatives of Vitamin A for a highlypotent, Retinol-based anti-aging night cream.

What are the benefits: • Contains 6 different types of Vitamin

A for a visible anti-aging effect.

• Contains a patented squalanebased nano-technology for the ultimate delivery system.

• Skin appears rejuvenated and revitalised.

• Helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Offers a brightening and unified tone to skin.

• Formulated with mature skin in mind.

• Highly potent formula - less is more Beauté Pacifique Crème Symphonique Day Cream tackles the visible signs of ageing with slowrelease ingredients to protect you from dawn ‘til dusk What are the benefits: •Instantly beautifies the skin.

•Rejuvenates and revitalises the look of skin for an anti-aging benefit.

• Helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Offers a brightening and a unified tone to the skin.

• Active ingredients are slowly released to the skin for all-day action.

• Formulated with mature skin in mind.

• Highly potent formula - less is more.

Beauté Pacifique Symphonique Hyaluronic Serum considers how its active ingredients will be absorbed by skin, what will happen once it gets there and what best to pair them with for all-day hydration An hydrating Hyaluronic Acid serum, that's also MORE than just a Hyaluronic Acid serum, thanks to the clever inclusion of advanced antiaging peptide technology.

Not just another hydrating serum, Beauté Pacifique Symphonique Hyaluronic Serum considers how its active ingredients will be absorbed by skin, what will happen once it gets there and what best to pair them with for all-day hydration, in a very clever little serum that’s sure to become your new beauty bestie.

For more info: contact International Master Trainer, Julia Wills, on julia@blueskyinternational.co.za or Wayne La Grange on wayne@blueskyinternational.co.za or visit: www.beaute-pacifique.com

sponsored advertorial

Bellabaci Spa Treatments for Cellulite

Are you looking for spa treatments for cellulite to to get your clients summer-ready with an effective cellulite treatment?

treat herself in the privacy and comfort of her own home.

Bellabaci Cellulite Be Gone Treatment Protocols:

The Bellabaci Cellulite Be Gone treatment offers tried and tested results, increased profits with low overheads, and has amazing retail opportunities for result-driven homecare.

Bellabaci Cellulite Be Gone Results Did you know that Bellabaci International is the original creator of the hand-squeezable, glidable body and face massage cups, used by thousands of spas in over 22 countries? Your success is our passion!

What is Cellulite?

‘An alteration and degeneration of fat cells and connective tissue’ Excess fat that is no longer smoothly distributed under the skin. The fat cells are clumped together in uneven bundles, giving rise to a rippled and dimpled appearance Cellulite is fat packaged in a less attractive pattern.

Extra notes on the Bellabaci Cellulite Be Gone Spa Treatment for Cellulite: • Use gentle suction, it must never pinch or feel uncomfortable • Use enough oil to ensure the smooth glide of the cup • Follow the paths of the body and always drain towards the lymph nodes • Results can be felt after 1 session, seen after 2 week and create that wow-factor after 4 weeks.

• Ensure to recommend homecare • Measure the client at the beginning and end of the 20 session package. Use the client’s smartphone to take pictures in a well-lit area. Take after pictures at the same distance, lighting conditions, clothing.

• 2 treatments should be done per week with 2 rest-days in between professional treatments.

• Homecare instructions and lifestyle advice is essential.

Why does your client need home care?

The most effective way to reduce and remove cellulite is by manual manipulation. That’s because it addresses the cause directly and not just the symptom.

Better yet, it activates, stimulates and rejuvenates the lymphatic system with a reverse deep tissue massage technique.

Use the Bellabaci Body Massage System to: • Create a flow of fresh oxygenated blood that’s rich in natural nutrients.

• Cause the release and clearing of waste and toxins from the fat cells.

• Breaks up and remove orange peel and cellulite • Creates smoother, toned skin.

• Save on expensive cellulite treatments and creams.

• Offer an effective retail system for your client to

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Your client is there for a reason, she wants results.

Help her achieve this and be part of the process by recommending the tools needed to treat and maintain the results achieved.

Your all in one solution for the serious Cellulite Warrior The Cellulite Be Gone: 3 Step Ritual contains the 3 elements needed that your client will use on the days she does not visit the spa.

The Kese: Boosts microcirculation and removes dead skin cells that inter fere with product absorption.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

The Cellulite Be Gone Genie: A supercharged formula to address lipo-pockets, skin regeneration, and lymphatic drainage. This formula also includes intelligent ingredients such as Bladderwrack that assist with metabolism, helping you burn energy even when you are in resting phase.

Apply morning and night to target areas. The Genie can also be added to your bath for a full-body detox treatment.

The Body Cups: Used in conjunction with your Genie massage lotion, squeeze the cup and set it down on your thigh.

Glide the cups in circular motions and drain by gliding the cup from just above the knee to the upper thigh.

Always start with the soft strength cup in your set.

When you have become accustomed to it, and there is no discomfort, you can move on to your hard strength cup. Do keep the soft cup close, as it is best for tender areas such as the inner thighs or upper arms!

The amount of time you spend is up to you, and of course, the more you do, the better your results.

Join The Wholesale Tribe: Being part of our wholesale tribe helps you to be t he first to know of t he latest of fers, ingredients/protocol information, as well as new products launching. You will also have free access to our team of specialists for professional advice regarding treatments and even social media images that are ready to use on your platforms.

Contact: info@bellabaci.com / 021 510 0766 Or visit: www.bellabaci.com

spa lifestyle

A Spiritual Guide to Gratitude Uncertain times test our spirit in many ways. Feeling grateful might be a challenge when you’re missing the activities, opportunities, or people you love.

But maybe that’s when the feeling of gratitude is what you need most.

from a Native American tribe: To pray for something is to be grateful for it before it comes to you.

“There’s plenty in this world that isn’t so good, and those things are easy to find. This helps you to see what is positive.”

“When you’re going through a difficult time, it may be hard to practice gratitude,” says Stephanie Ludwig, PhD, MA, MDiv, director of spiritual wellness at Canyon Ranch. “You want to be honest with how you’re feeling, though. Otherwise, some of these practices may feel a little forced. Start by being clear about how you feel. Gratitude is not about changing yourself, but caring about what is happening in your heart. It starts with embracing whatever is real.”

This can actually be good for your health, too: One study found that people who identified things they felt grateful for, compared to those who focused on problems in their lives, were more likely to exercise regularly, feel better physically, and were more optimistic overall.

Here’s Ludwig’s advice on how to integrate more gratitude into your life and why it’s so helpful to us spiritually, emotionally, and physically:

1. Keep An Eye Out For Things To Be Grateful For “It’s easy to start looking at the glass as half-empty instead of half-full, so it helps to look for things to be thankful for before they even happen,” explains Ludwig. There is a way of defining prayer that comes

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2. Keep A Gratitude Journal “Simply write down three things you’re grateful for, big or small, every day or even periodically — that’s a spiritual practice right there,” says Ludwig. Anything could make you feel thankful — a phone call from a friend, a beautiful day, your dog. Jotting these things down encourages a positive outlook and may help you accomplish more: In one study, researchers found that people who kept a list of things they felt thankful for over a two-month period were likelier to have reached an important personal goal.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

3. Spread The Thankfulness Around It’s especially important to express gratitude often to your loved ones — and to yourself. “In your relationship or marriage, each of you could share something that you’re grateful for about the other person,” Ludwig explains. “And you can be grateful for yourself, for the uniqueness and the qualities that you carry — so take a few moments to pat yourself on the back.”

Then, continue to express it to those around you.

“When you express your gratitude outward, you’re giving other people a gift.” This, in turn, enriches your spiritual health by helping you be mindful and reflect in the moment. Ludwig adds, “It’s also contagious; and so it not only inoculates you against negativity, but protects others around you as well.

Spiritually, gratitude is of the greatest benefit because it aligns our perceptions with the nature of reality — it’s wonder, it’s beauty, it’s super abundance. If you really look into the matter deeply, to focus on gratitude is to contemplate the Divine.”

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spa lifestyle How to Do a Digital Detox Give your brain a break! Read up on how to do a digital detox –– we’ve got tips on what to do instead of scrolling, how to get your friends involved, and how to stick to your new detox routine.

Do other activities instead: Harken back to the days of yore and try some tech-free activities.

Getting a vacation from technology will offer you a fresh start. Go for a walk, get the family together for a game night, or read a book instead of staring at your phone. Take up knitting or learn how to bake gourmet desserts.

Establish limits and goals: Each week, make a goal of spending less and less time using technology.

Start with a half-hour of tech-free time each day, then increase it to an hour the next week and keep going.

How to Unplug Your Life for the Ultimate Digital Detox

By Teresa Siqueira With infinite knowledge and endless distraction just a click away, it’s more important than ever to create healthy boundaries with technology.

Technology is a wonderful thing. It’s given us Netflix, online shopping, video games, and social media— but sometimes you need to take a break from the cat memes and give yourself a digital detox. With infinite knowledge and endless distraction just a click away, it’s more important than ever to create healthy boundaries with technology. So, tune in, turn off, and drop out because we’ve got all the info you need to find that sweet spot between staying connected and getting unplugged.

What is a Digital Detox?

A digital detox is when you disconnect from your TV, smartphone, video games, and social media so you can focus on real-life without the distraction of a screen. Don’t worry—a digital detox isn’t forever.

Take a mini-detox after work, read a book instead of scrolling through the news, or make Sundays a tech-free day—do whatever works for you. What matters the most is that you create time for your brain to reset.

The Consequences of Always Being Connected These days, we’re more connected than ever. When it feels impossible to step away from the tweets, and you can’t stop doom-scrolling the news, you know it’s time for a digital detox. Being connected 24/7 might have you staying up late to play video games,

30

feeling like you’re missing out on the experiences all your friends post about, or getting behind at work because the refresh button isn’t going to hit itself. Disconnecting is an integral part of any selfcare routine for anyone who wants to optimize their creativity, productivity, and have more energy.

The Effects of Technology on Your Brain You might not realize it, but too much technology harms your brain. From having a lower stress threshold to disrupting your beauty sleep, our screens are silently altering the way our brains work –– and it doesn’t stop there.

Reduces creativity: Technology encourages instant gratification and prevents us from having the patience needed for the more profound thinking skills associated with creativity.

Negatively affects relationships: More time spent on devices means less time spent with the people you love and makes us feel less satisfaction and connection.

Impaired social intelligence: Too much time in front of a screen interferes with our ability to learn from successes, failures, and the people around us.

Trouble concentrating: Technology is constantly pulling us in multiple directions at once, making it hard to focus on what’s in front of us.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Disrupts sleeping habits: The blue light screens emit has been proven to disrupt the circadian rhythms that help us sleep at night.

The Benefits of Doing a Digital Detox Banish the digital distractions and reap the benefits of a techno-free life. Cutting out technology has massive mental health benefits, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel when you aren’t constantly connected. Benefits of a digital detox include: Enhanced sleep: Without blue light and the temptation to keep scrolling, you’ll get better zzz’s and have more energy in the morning.

Increased productivity: Less tech means more time to get things done. When you’re not staring at a screen, you’ll have more time to do the things that matter.

Better posture: “Tech neck” is a real thing, and improved posture is a significant benefit to ditching your devices.

Improved relationships: Having more time for your loved ones can only be a good thing. Notice how much closer you feel to the people around you after going tech-free.

More time for hobbies: Going on a digital detox gives you ample time to explore all those hobbies you’d long forgotten.

Get your loved ones involved: Get your family involved to make going tech-free into a fun challenge. Check everyone’s smartphone at the end of the week to see who spent the least time looking at their screen –– whoever wins gets to choose their favorite takeout for dinner or pick what to watch on movie night.

Reward yourself: Whenever you’ve accomplished offline time, give yourself an award. Go out for a tech-free date night to your favorite restaurant, or get yourself that thing that’s been on your wish list for ages. Set up a special ritual for your digital detox, like a spa night.

Types of Digital Detoxes There are a ton of ways to take a tech break. Pick a couple of methods that work for you and give them a go for at least a week––feel free to tweak times or alternate days to fit your schedule. Some days you might need to be on your phone or take a video call during a detox period, so roll with the punches and stay flexible.

Disconnect for a period of time: Designate a period of time each day that you’ll go tech-free.

During lunch, after work, or before bedtime are all great places to start. Make it part of your routine, then see how you’re feeling after a week. Many people end up expanding their tech-free time because they love how it makes them feel.

Have technology-free meals: Ditching your devices during meals encourages you to not only appreciate the food you’re eating but to enjoy the company you’re with. Make it a rule that no phones are allowed at the dinner table, turn the TV off, and notice how much fuller your heart and belly feel.

Find a Balance with Technology: Digital burnout is real, and finding a happy medium is integral for living life in the age of the computer. We’ve got a few analog remedies to soothe your digital aches.

Prioritize human connection: We’ve all had that

experience where we’re trying to hold a conversation with someone who’s more interested in what’s on their phone than they are in the person right in front of them. Always prioritize the people in your life over the content on your phone.

Leave technology out of your bedroom: Park your phone in the living room overnight to create a quiet bedroom environment. Use an alarm clock instead of relying on your phone to wake you up in the morning, and replace your nighttime TV show with a book instead.

Limit tech time for children: Technology can have a negative impact on children. Give your kids time limits on their digital devices. Use video games as a reward for doing homework and chores. Make sure your kids have a healthy relationship with social media by setting an age limit and making sure they don’t get caught up in comparing their life to the lives of others.

Enjoy a techno-free kitchen: Sometimes it’s necessary to open up your phone while you’re cooking to reference a recipe. All the other times, unplug the kitchen and practice mindfulness while making breakfast or enjoying a mid-afternoon snack.

Find work-life balance: Finding a work-life balance when you work from home is a real struggle. Create an equilibrium by letting your coworkers know you won’t be available after the workday is done, and turn off all your work-related notifications.

The hidden energy costs of plugged-in appliances could be adding to your electricity bill. Try out these tips to save money while you’re away.

Unplugging Your Home to Help If you find yourself struggling to take a digital detox, try setting up your home to help you succeed.

We’ve got some easy-to-implement tips that make disconnecting a cinch.

Unplug Your Home While You’re Away

Unplug your devices to improve safety: Keeping all your devices plugged in while you’re away can potentially be a fire hazard. Older electronics, in particular, run the risk of overheating and causing electrical fires, and unplugging them when you go on vacation will not only save you money but also give you peace of mind.

Use tech to disconnect: Fight technology with technology by turning off your notifications so your digital detox won’t be disturbed by dings and beeps. There are tons of time-limiting apps nowadays that turn off your tech for you or timed cellphone jails that keep your phone locked away for a set amount of time.

Save energy: Save energy by enabling sleep mode on your devices to keep their batteries going for longer. Older appliances are less energy-efficient than newer models, so replace any outdated electronics with modern energy-wise models.

Park your devices: Set up a tech station at the front door with a table or drawer with all your chargers. When you walk in the door, plug in your devices so you aren’t tempted to use them. This encourages you and your family to focus on hobbies, books, and spending more time with each other.

Do: Unplug small kitchen appliances like your coffee maker, microwave, and food processor. If you’re going to be gone for a while, unplug your chargers and entertainment system, too, since they use a lot of energy.

Go outdoors: Take a walk, go to the lake, or just hang out in your backyard and enjoy the outdoors.

Getting outside is one of the best ways to detox from your devices, and it’s an easy activity to get the whole family involved in.

Create a home that helps you disconnect: Set your home up for success. Start by putting up a table in your entryway where you can park your devices, then designate a room where no devices are allowed. Instead of having TVs in the kitchen, living room, and every bedroom, just have one in your entertainment room and call it good.

Create an ‘unplugged’ room: Designate one room in your house that’s free of any digital devices.

No TVs, computers, iPads, or phones allowed.

Make it super cozy with couches, pillows, plants, and blankets then bring in anything and everything you love that doesn’t involve a screen. Think books, crossword puzzles, board games, that hobby airplane you’ve been building, or set up a music nook so you can finally learn how to play the guitar.

Electronics You Should (and Shouldn’t) Unplug

Don’t: Don’t unplug large kitchen appliances like the fridge or dishwasher. Keep powerstrips, carbon monoxide detectors, and the fire alarm plugged in. You can keep your high-efficiency electronics plugged in, since they’re unlikely to zap a ton of energy while not in use.

A daily, weekly, or monthly digital detox helps you stay connected to your physical surroundings, reduces stress and anxiety, and gives you time to enjoy your family, nature, or a hobby. These tips will help you find just the right balance for you.

About Teresa Siqueira: Teresa is a contributor to Porch. She is passionate about digital media, travel, comedy, and writing. She explores her love for these topics by developing content about culture, lifestyle, and the digital trends impacting society.

spa lifestyle How to Do a Digital Detox Give your brain a break! Read up on how to do a digital detox –– we’ve got tips on what to do instead of scrolling, how to get your friends involved, and how to stick to your new detox routine.

Do other activities instead: Harken back to the days of yore and try some tech-free activities.

Getting a vacation from technology will offer you a fresh start. Go for a walk, get the family together for a game night, or read a book instead of staring at your phone. Take up knitting or learn how to bake gourmet desserts.

Establish limits and goals: Each week, make a goal of spending less and less time using technology.

Start with a half-hour of tech-free time each day, then increase it to an hour the next week and keep going.

How to Unplug Your Life for the Ultimate Digital Detox

By Teresa Siqueira With infinite knowledge and endless distraction just a click away, it’s more important than ever to create healthy boundaries with technology.

Technology is a wonderful thing. It’s given us Netflix, online shopping, video games, and social media— but sometimes you need to take a break from the cat memes and give yourself a digital detox. With infinite knowledge and endless distraction just a click away, it’s more important than ever to create healthy boundaries with technology. So, tune in, turn off, and drop out because we’ve got all the info you need to find that sweet spot between staying connected and getting unplugged.

What is a Digital Detox?

A digital detox is when you disconnect from your TV, smartphone, video games, and social media so you can focus on real-life without the distraction of a screen. Don’t worry—a digital detox isn’t forever.

Take a mini-detox after work, read a book instead of scrolling through the news, or make Sundays a tech-free day—do whatever works for you. What matters the most is that you create time for your brain to reset.

The Consequences of Always Being Connected These days, we’re more connected than ever. When it feels impossible to step away from the tweets, and you can’t stop doom-scrolling the news, you know it’s time for a digital detox. Being connected 24/7 might have you staying up late to play video games,

30

feeling like you’re missing out on the experiences all your friends post about, or getting behind at work because the refresh button isn’t going to hit itself. Disconnecting is an integral part of any selfcare routine for anyone who wants to optimize their creativity, productivity, and have more energy.

The Effects of Technology on Your Brain You might not realize it, but too much technology harms your brain. From having a lower stress threshold to disrupting your beauty sleep, our screens are silently altering the way our brains work –– and it doesn’t stop there.

Reduces creativity: Technology encourages instant gratification and prevents us from having the patience needed for the more profound thinking skills associated with creativity.

Negatively affects relationships: More time spent on devices means less time spent with the people you love and makes us feel less satisfaction and connection.

Impaired social intelligence: Too much time in front of a screen interferes with our ability to learn from successes, failures, and the people around us.

Trouble concentrating: Technology is constantly pulling us in multiple directions at once, making it hard to focus on what’s in front of us.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Disrupts sleeping habits: The blue light screens emit has been proven to disrupt the circadian rhythms that help us sleep at night.

The Benefits of Doing a Digital Detox Banish the digital distractions and reap the benefits of a techno-free life. Cutting out technology has massive mental health benefits, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel when you aren’t constantly connected. Benefits of a digital detox include: Enhanced sleep: Without blue light and the temptation to keep scrolling, you’ll get better zzz’s and have more energy in the morning.

Increased productivity: Less tech means more time to get things done. When you’re not staring at a screen, you’ll have more time to do the things that matter.

Better posture: “Tech neck” is a real thing, and improved posture is a significant benefit to ditching your devices.

Improved relationships: Having more time for your loved ones can only be a good thing. Notice how much closer you feel to the people around you after going tech-free.

More time for hobbies: Going on a digital detox gives you ample time to explore all those hobbies you’d long forgotten.

Get your loved ones involved: Get your family involved to make going tech-free into a fun challenge. Check everyone’s smartphone at the end of the week to see who spent the least time looking at their screen –– whoever wins gets to choose their favorite takeout for dinner or pick what to watch on movie night.

Reward yourself: Whenever you’ve accomplished offline time, give yourself an award. Go out for a tech-free date night to your favorite restaurant, or get yourself that thing that’s been on your wish list for ages. Set up a special ritual for your digital detox, like a spa night.

Types of Digital Detoxes There are a ton of ways to take a tech break. Pick a couple of methods that work for you and give them a go for at least a week––feel free to tweak times or alternate days to fit your schedule. Some days you might need to be on your phone or take a video call during a detox period, so roll with the punches and stay flexible.

Disconnect for a period of time: Designate a period of time each day that you’ll go tech-free.

During lunch, after work, or before bedtime are all great places to start. Make it part of your routine, then see how you’re feeling after a week. Many people end up expanding their tech-free time because they love how it makes them feel.

Have technology-free meals: Ditching your devices during meals encourages you to not only appreciate the food you’re eating but to enjoy the company you’re with. Make it a rule that no phones are allowed at the dinner table, turn the TV off, and notice how much fuller your heart and belly feel.

Find a Balance with Technology: Digital burnout is real, and finding a happy medium is integral for living life in the age of the computer. We’ve got a few analog remedies to soothe your digital aches.

Prioritize human connection: We’ve all had that

experience where we’re trying to hold a conversation with someone who’s more interested in what’s on their phone than they are in the person right in front of them. Always prioritize the people in your life over the content on your phone.

Leave technology out of your bedroom: Park your phone in the living room overnight to create a quiet bedroom environment. Use an alarm clock instead of relying on your phone to wake you up in the morning, and replace your nighttime TV show with a book instead.

Limit tech time for children: Technology can have a negative impact on children. Give your kids time limits on their digital devices. Use video games as a reward for doing homework and chores. Make sure your kids have a healthy relationship with social media by setting an age limit and making sure they don’t get caught up in comparing their life to the lives of others.

Enjoy a techno-free kitchen: Sometimes it’s necessary to open up your phone while you’re cooking to reference a recipe. All the other times, unplug the kitchen and practice mindfulness while making breakfast or enjoying a mid-afternoon snack.

Find work-life balance: Finding a work-life balance when you work from home is a real struggle. Create an equilibrium by letting your coworkers know you won’t be available after the workday is done, and turn off all your work-related notifications.

The hidden energy costs of plugged-in appliances could be adding to your electricity bill. Try out these tips to save money while you’re away.

Unplugging Your Home to Help If you find yourself struggling to take a digital detox, try setting up your home to help you succeed.

We’ve got some easy-to-implement tips that make disconnecting a cinch.

Unplug Your Home While You’re Away

Unplug your devices to improve safety: Keeping all your devices plugged in while you’re away can potentially be a fire hazard. Older electronics, in particular, run the risk of overheating and causing electrical fires, and unplugging them when you go on vacation will not only save you money but also give you peace of mind.

Use tech to disconnect: Fight technology with technology by turning off your notifications so your digital detox won’t be disturbed by dings and beeps. There are tons of time-limiting apps nowadays that turn off your tech for you or timed cellphone jails that keep your phone locked away for a set amount of time.

Save energy: Save energy by enabling sleep mode on your devices to keep their batteries going for longer. Older appliances are less energy-efficient than newer models, so replace any outdated electronics with modern energy-wise models.

Park your devices: Set up a tech station at the front door with a table or drawer with all your chargers. When you walk in the door, plug in your devices so you aren’t tempted to use them. This encourages you and your family to focus on hobbies, books, and spending more time with each other.

Do: Unplug small kitchen appliances like your coffee maker, microwave, and food processor. If you’re going to be gone for a while, unplug your chargers and entertainment system, too, since they use a lot of energy.

Go outdoors: Take a walk, go to the lake, or just hang out in your backyard and enjoy the outdoors.

Getting outside is one of the best ways to detox from your devices, and it’s an easy activity to get the whole family involved in.

Create a home that helps you disconnect: Set your home up for success. Start by putting up a table in your entryway where you can park your devices, then designate a room where no devices are allowed. Instead of having TVs in the kitchen, living room, and every bedroom, just have one in your entertainment room and call it good.

Create an ‘unplugged’ room: Designate one room in your house that’s free of any digital devices.

No TVs, computers, iPads, or phones allowed.

Make it super cozy with couches, pillows, plants, and blankets then bring in anything and everything you love that doesn’t involve a screen. Think books, crossword puzzles, board games, that hobby airplane you’ve been building, or set up a music nook so you can finally learn how to play the guitar.

Electronics You Should (and Shouldn’t) Unplug

Don’t: Don’t unplug large kitchen appliances like the fridge or dishwasher. Keep powerstrips, carbon monoxide detectors, and the fire alarm plugged in. You can keep your high-efficiency electronics plugged in, since they’re unlikely to zap a ton of energy while not in use.

A daily, weekly, or monthly digital detox helps you stay connected to your physical surroundings, reduces stress and anxiety, and gives you time to enjoy your family, nature, or a hobby. These tips will help you find just the right balance for you.

About Teresa Siqueira: Teresa is a contributor to Porch. She is passionate about digital media, travel, comedy, and writing. She explores her love for these topics by developing content about culture, lifestyle, and the digital trends impacting society.

spa therapies

Conscious Wellness in the Spa Space

By Mandy Trollip - The Soul Khaya / TAWA LABS Crystal Collection Never before as an industry have we been more perfectly poised to deliver the wellness promise we have extended to our guests over recent years.

We have so easily penned a phrase and a promise on our menus, a promise of an experience to touch the body, mind and spirit.

In the South African Spa context I believe that our focus has been heavily weighted towards body, and by default, we have only lightly touched upon the mind and spirit aspect of wellness. However, as synchronicity would have it, we now have the opportunity to deliver deeper, more balanced conscious wellness & beauty experiences, with open hear ted awareness.

The time we currently find ourselves in has encouraged us to be introspective, to honestly evaluate our lives, on every level, and to implement changes for our growth, our happiness, our wholeness and indeed our survival. This trend is not a fad, it is not going anywhere. It is a conscious and a collective human movement towards a deeper level of being. Something good follows something challenging, it is a universal law.

Imagine if we took this trend and this level of introspection into our businesses! What a transformation we would see!

Our guests are on a mindful journey, let's walk alongside them and support them.

To do this we need to be on the same path, expanding our awareness and our offerings to meet their demands. One mindful massage on a treatment menu will not align with this wave of new energy.

What is required is to entrench authentic conscious and mindfulness based techniques and practices into all levels of our treatment offerings. When our guests experience this gift from us, it literally carves a new neural pathway for selfcare into their mind, body and soul. It is a demonstration of simple, yet profoundly powerful tools which they can carry through into their daily lives. Self-care should not be reserved for special occasions only, it should be how we live our lives. Your wellness space makes you a custodian and a teacher.

Conscious and mindful wellness practices & techniques within our treatments bring our guests directly into the present

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Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

moment, into a peaceful space of calm and quiet. Where the central nervous s ys t e m i s s o o t h e d , w h e re t h e parasympathetic nervous system signals the rest and digest mode. This is living in the transformational quantum model of reality which is causing an effect, where the brain and body believe that changes have already occurred, rather than the old Newtonian way of living by cause and effect, where change lies in the distant future.

Our bodies are wired to heal themselves, it is in the framework of our DNA, practices and techniques like mediation, visualisation, prana breathing, emotional stress release, meridian therapy, healing music, chakra balancing, crystal therapy, sound therapy, healing poetry, emotional freedom technique, tapping, affirmations, journaling, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Kinesiology, Quantum healing, Biofeedback, Hypnotherapy, Access Bars, Bowen therapy, Alexander technique, the list is endless, are here to help us heal.

I sense the resistance to my suggestions but I honestly believe that this comes from a place of not knowing how, rather than not intuitively feeling and knowing that we have a response-ability to ourselves, and to our guests, to be adaptable and flexible within this privileged wellness space we find ourselves in.

Some of these therapies most definitely need to be delivered by a professional practioner, but many can be done by a spa therapist. Although most therapists have not received formal holistic therapy training, the majority have an innate ability to access this dimension of themselves and extend it to our guests, they merely need to guided and be taught new techniques. It doesn't need to be complicated or costly. It doesn't even mean designing a new menu offering. All it means is being open to change and being courageous enough to be the point of difference.

It is time to embrace the “S” word, the “H” word and the “L” word within the South African Spa market.

SPIRIT, HEAL, AND LOVE! Your guests are ready are you?

For more information on treatments and training courses, contact Mandy Trollip www.thesoulkhya.com 082 451 7701

Eleven Spa Towns inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

The decision to inscribe the site was made 24 July 2021 at the 44th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Fuzhou (China) Eleven spa towns across Europe, including BadenBaden (Germany), Spa(Belgium), and Bath (UK), have been jointly inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Great Spa Towns of Europe is a ‘transnational serial’ UNESCO World Heritage Site formed of eleven famous historical thermal spa towns and cities across seven countries.

Together, they represent the grandest and most significant spa towns that changed the culture of Europe between 1700 and 1930.

Spa towns used natural mineral waters to treat pain and disease in the days before modern medication.

Treatments included ‘taking the waters’, applying

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mineral and thermal water, drinking cures, bathing, irrigations, hydrotherapy, and mud treatments. Each town shares unique urban layouts and significant architectural buildings, including notable spa buildings and visitor facilities such as spa houses, colonnades, churches, theatres, casino houses, and dedicated hotels and boarding houses.

While the Bader Lexicon of 1854 lists 652 major European spas, only a handful of the grandest spas now survive in their original form. The eleven Spa towns jointly inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites represent the most authentic and best examples of this European phenomenon.

The eleven towns are: 1. Baden bei Wien (Austria) 2. Spa (Belgium) 3. Franti?kovy Lázane (Czechia)

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

4. Karlovy Vary (Czechia) 5. Mariánské Lázne (Czechia) 6. Vichy (France) 7. Bad Ems (Germany) 8. Baden-Baden (Germany) 9. Bad Kissingen (Germany) 10. Montecatini Terme (Italy) 11. City of Bath (United Kingdom) Today, these spa towns continue to fulfill many of their roles, with people able to bathe in or drink the waters in traditional and modern facilities. Visitors can enjoy walking, hiking, and other activities in the “therapeutic landscape” of parks and gardens and the wider countryside.

spa therapies

spa therapies

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Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

spa trends No matter what you think about the connections between personal and planetary vitality, at a core level, sustainability in spas just makes sense. For many spas the basic idea that everything is interconnected is already woven into the fabric of their brand through references to “holistic” treatments or statements like “for the betterment of body, mind and spirit.” Many clients seek out spa experiences to settle what feels out of balance or disjointed in their bodies and find that their emotional, psychological and even spiritual “selves” benefit too.

But sending guests, relaxed and happy, out into a world with polluted air and water and crowded confusion seems shortsighted somehow, doesn't it?

If your spa is really about supporting wholeness and vitality for your guests, it's not a stretch then to find that this mission is only enhanced by environmental and social responsibility as well.

There are many simple, cost effective ways to get more up to speed with your business' sustainability program. Let's break it down from three perspectives.

Eco-greening For most of us, the core of greening lies in respecting the environment and bringing conscious care to the ways in which our businesses impact our finite natural resources like energy and water.

Paying attention to the impact your business has on the environment is becoming the new status quo.

Just like well-being isn't something your guests just “do” and check off a list, neither is your environmental responsibility. It's an ongoing pursuit to continually find new ways to improve your carbon and social footprint.

If you're not already utilizing energy efficient lighting and low flow plumbing fixtures, start there.

While your guests won't always say it to you directly, many of them notice if you're not employing these accessible cost saving strategies and have a hard time believing you're actually committed to anything green.

“We no longer print spa menus for guests to take home, as most were ending up in trash or recycling cans,” says Cassandra Brookins, manager at SpaBlue at Del Mar in Del Mar, Calif. “Instead we have menu books available at the front desk for guests to browse and we direct them to our website to look over at home.” At SpaBlue, they have also removed the waterfall feature at their front entrance and replaced it with a plant garden.

Sustain & Gain Greenify Your Spa, Reduce Costs and Help the Planet

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Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

By Paul Schmidt

Unless you're creating a new facility, you might think it's too expensive to utilize green building strategies.

In the case of reducing the airborne toxic impact of your spa through VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds found in paints, varnishes and finishes), this is not the case. When giving your spa a face lift with a fresh coat of paint, be sure to ask your paint supplier about eco options and use a nonVOC, water-based product.

Social Responsibility

and make a measurable difference in your community all at the same time.

On the heels of eco-greening and at the leading edge of the movement is the idea that all of us are at our best when we are supported by our families, friends, coworkers and communities. Bringing conscious care to creating a workplace experience that nurtures your staff taps into a wellspring of energy that only fuels your spa's mission and brings more value to your guests and local community.

Financial And Business Sustainability

Staff Care Look at your spa's goal to leave guests relaxed, revitalized and feeling well, and ask yourself if your employees have the same experience. Do they come to work and start a shift anticipating hours of purposeful, fun work that leaves them satisfied and fulfilled on all levels? Do they share enthusiastically and genuinely with guests and take pride in their healing role? Do they enjoy their coworkers and take time to do things that support the “back of the house” energy and experience?

Don't sell your staff short. There are plenty of spas out there with incredible vitality, positive teamwork and passion for profound guest service emanating from their employees. Foster open channels of communication and seek input and ideas from all levels of your staff. Listen and take action on their best ideas. It's not just how much money a therapist earns per treatment that matters to them. It's also the balance of how many treatments they do vs. how many hours they spend at work not doing treatments that really fuels their satisfaction. It takes a creative scheduling policy to go along with your compensation plan to keep your team motivated and positive.

At Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, Ariz., communication with staff is supported with technology through the use of Hot Schedules, an app that logs and tracks shift swapping, making flexible scheduling less of an administrative burden.

They also have a private Facebook page to facilitate discussions and address staff issues immediately, which prevents problems from festering between difficult to schedule staff meetings. “Our staff Facebook page has really helped everyone stay connected on important conversations,” says Miraval director Grant Bruce. “This way we avoid the pitfalls of the rumor mill and telephone game phenomenon that can arise so easily with a staff of talented and passionate people.”

Community Involvement As discussed in “Make the Connection,” spas everywhere are seeing that actively giving back to their communities brings positive dividends to their social and economic “bank accounts” and, depending on the nature of the cause, the ecological one as well.

Often the “investment” involved in partnering with a community event is mostly measured in volunteer time, making this a highly cost-effective way to boost team morale, generate positive brand impressions

Growing a successful business in a world with so many rapid changes is becoming more and more challenging for traditional businesses. However, new approaches to how you can honor the heart and soul of your mission and values while deliberately achieving huge financial success are beginning to emerge. In regards to whatever sustainable initiatives you've been able to accomplish, if there isn't already a better way to do it now there most definitely will be soon. Spread the word about your sustainable spa and avoid greenwashing by sharing openly about your efforts from a place of honesty, transparency and humility.

Make sure to measure and report on your accomplishments as specifically as possible. Your customers and other stakeholders respond to seeing the real impact you're making much more than they care about your commitment or intentions.

Growing a sustainable brand is not difficult if you keep it simple and take one step at a time. Just like any business pursuit; take action, learn from the results and improve as you go. For innovators, sustainability offers a rich context for being creative and discovering simple ways to cause positive change. However you approach it, your sustainable brand is one of the best assets you can build to support a stable, thriving bottom line in a world of change.

About Paul Schmidt is the Executive Director for the Green Spa Network. Schmidt has been an innovator in the business of health and wellness for over 25 years. Schmidt has volunteered on boards for Healing Mountain Massage School, Eagle Gate College, the International Spa Association and the Jackson H o le D e s t in a t io n We lln e s s C o m m it t e e .

spa trends No matter what you think about the connections between personal and planetary vitality, at a core level, sustainability in spas just makes sense. For many spas the basic idea that everything is interconnected is already woven into the fabric of their brand through references to “holistic” treatments or statements like “for the betterment of body, mind and spirit.” Many clients seek out spa experiences to settle what feels out of balance or disjointed in their bodies and find that their emotional, psychological and even spiritual “selves” benefit too.

But sending guests, relaxed and happy, out into a world with polluted air and water and crowded confusion seems shortsighted somehow, doesn't it?

If your spa is really about supporting wholeness and vitality for your guests, it's not a stretch then to find that this mission is only enhanced by environmental and social responsibility as well.

There are many simple, cost effective ways to get more up to speed with your business' sustainability program. Let's break it down from three perspectives.

Eco-greening For most of us, the core of greening lies in respecting the environment and bringing conscious care to the ways in which our businesses impact our finite natural resources like energy and water.

Paying attention to the impact your business has on the environment is becoming the new status quo.

Just like well-being isn't something your guests just “do” and check off a list, neither is your environmental responsibility. It's an ongoing pursuit to continually find new ways to improve your carbon and social footprint.

If you're not already utilizing energy efficient lighting and low flow plumbing fixtures, start there.

While your guests won't always say it to you directly, many of them notice if you're not employing these accessible cost saving strategies and have a hard time believing you're actually committed to anything green.

“We no longer print spa menus for guests to take home, as most were ending up in trash or recycling cans,” says Cassandra Brookins, manager at SpaBlue at Del Mar in Del Mar, Calif. “Instead we have menu books available at the front desk for guests to browse and we direct them to our website to look over at home.” At SpaBlue, they have also removed the waterfall feature at their front entrance and replaced it with a plant garden.

Sustain & Gain Greenify Your Spa, Reduce Costs and Help the Planet

38

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

By Paul Schmidt

Unless you're creating a new facility, you might think it's too expensive to utilize green building strategies.

In the case of reducing the airborne toxic impact of your spa through VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds found in paints, varnishes and finishes), this is not the case. When giving your spa a face lift with a fresh coat of paint, be sure to ask your paint supplier about eco options and use a nonVOC, water-based product.

Social Responsibility

and make a measurable difference in your community all at the same time.

On the heels of eco-greening and at the leading edge of the movement is the idea that all of us are at our best when we are supported by our families, friends, coworkers and communities. Bringing conscious care to creating a workplace experience that nurtures your staff taps into a wellspring of energy that only fuels your spa's mission and brings more value to your guests and local community.

Financial And Business Sustainability

Staff Care Look at your spa's goal to leave guests relaxed, revitalized and feeling well, and ask yourself if your employees have the same experience. Do they come to work and start a shift anticipating hours of purposeful, fun work that leaves them satisfied and fulfilled on all levels? Do they share enthusiastically and genuinely with guests and take pride in their healing role? Do they enjoy their coworkers and take time to do things that support the “back of the house” energy and experience?

Don't sell your staff short. There are plenty of spas out there with incredible vitality, positive teamwork and passion for profound guest service emanating from their employees. Foster open channels of communication and seek input and ideas from all levels of your staff. Listen and take action on their best ideas. It's not just how much money a therapist earns per treatment that matters to them. It's also the balance of how many treatments they do vs. how many hours they spend at work not doing treatments that really fuels their satisfaction. It takes a creative scheduling policy to go along with your compensation plan to keep your team motivated and positive.

At Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, Ariz., communication with staff is supported with technology through the use of Hot Schedules, an app that logs and tracks shift swapping, making flexible scheduling less of an administrative burden.

They also have a private Facebook page to facilitate discussions and address staff issues immediately, which prevents problems from festering between difficult to schedule staff meetings. “Our staff Facebook page has really helped everyone stay connected on important conversations,” says Miraval director Grant Bruce. “This way we avoid the pitfalls of the rumor mill and telephone game phenomenon that can arise so easily with a staff of talented and passionate people.”

Community Involvement As discussed in “Make the Connection,” spas everywhere are seeing that actively giving back to their communities brings positive dividends to their social and economic “bank accounts” and, depending on the nature of the cause, the ecological one as well.

Often the “investment” involved in partnering with a community event is mostly measured in volunteer time, making this a highly cost-effective way to boost team morale, generate positive brand impressions

Growing a successful business in a world with so many rapid changes is becoming more and more challenging for traditional businesses. However, new approaches to how you can honor the heart and soul of your mission and values while deliberately achieving huge financial success are beginning to emerge. In regards to whatever sustainable initiatives you've been able to accomplish, if there isn't already a better way to do it now there most definitely will be soon. Spread the word about your sustainable spa and avoid greenwashing by sharing openly about your efforts from a place of honesty, transparency and humility.

Make sure to measure and report on your accomplishments as specifically as possible. Your customers and other stakeholders respond to seeing the real impact you're making much more than they care about your commitment or intentions.

Growing a sustainable brand is not difficult if you keep it simple and take one step at a time. Just like any business pursuit; take action, learn from the results and improve as you go. For innovators, sustainability offers a rich context for being creative and discovering simple ways to cause positive change. However you approach it, your sustainable brand is one of the best assets you can build to support a stable, thriving bottom line in a world of change.

About Paul Schmidt is the Executive Director for the Green Spa Network. Schmidt has been an innovator in the business of health and wellness for over 25 years. Schmidt has volunteered on boards for Healing Mountain Massage School, Eagle Gate College, the International Spa Association and the Jackson H o le D e s t in a t io n We lln e s s C o m m it t e e .

spa innovation

Key Principles For Sustainable Packaging #SpaWasteNotChallenge By Lucy Brialey- The Sustainable Spa Association As part of our #SpaWasteNotChallenge highlighting the concepts and benefits of A Circular Economy, our partner Stephanie Hodgson of MeetthefiveR’s has carried out a series of case studies with our trusted Brand and Spa Partners to find out more about the great efforts they go to to keep waste to a minimum, use responsible materials and keep waste from polluting our oceans and environment.

One of the case studies is with Tracy Brasenell [ comfort zone ] Davines Group. The key principles of this article comprise the ethos and actions for all brands as they relate to their packaging research.

What follows is reproduced directly from the group’s Sustainable Packaging Dossier with the exception of the sixth and final principle which is informed by other Davines literature.

1. Use less material 2. Simplify product design 3. Prefer recyclable or renewable source materials 4. Facilitate product recyclability 5. Optimise product logistics 6. Design considering the reuse of packaging 1. Use less material We design lighter packaging while still guaranteeing its safety and functionality. More lightweight packaging means a minor quantity of material used, thus fewer resources of our planet consumed. The weight reduction also allows to consume less fuel for transportation and consequently decrease CO2eq emissions.

Examples of successful practical application: • From 2014 to the end of 2019, thanks to the packaging re-design of several lines into a new packaging with a lower weight, we saved 171.8 tons of packaging materials, of which 76.6 tons of plastic (considering primary, secondary and tertiary packaging); •Davines primary packaging is 12.3% to 43.7% lighter than similar products from other brands, respectively for products from 300ml to 1.5L and products up to 300ml.

2. Simplify product design Less is more. When designing our packaging, we aim for simplification, reducing the packaging components as much as possible, eliminating unnecessary elements. Simplification could be, for example, eliminating plastic or paper boxes by merely replacing them with multi-page labels or where possible, eliminate the package leaflets by printing the text on the inside of the box.

Examples of successful practical application: •From 2018 to the end of 2019, the elimination of several tertiary packaging elements (box inserts) produced a saving of 10.9 tons of paper.

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3.Prefer recycled or renewable sourced materials To reduce the environmental impact of our products, it is essential to abandon the use of virgin and fossil fuel-based materials, and therefore prefer recycled or renewable sourced materials. Materials from renewable sources are materials that come from natural resources that are renewed more rapidly than they are consumed. As you can see in the chart at the right, up to today, we still use a variety of packaging materials that are both sourced from renewable and non-renewable sources. The packaging materials we use from renewable sources are paper, wood and bio-based plastic.

4. Facilitate product recyclability The recyclability of the packaging starts with its design. Recyclability is not something which you should think about when the product is already in the market: it is too late. Therefore, we carry out constant research to improve and update our packaging design choices, always looking for new solutions and technologies that can allow us to: • Let our customers enjoy their products until the last drop, allowing them to send to recycling a cleaner container; • Have labels/sleeves made with the same material of the body of the product; • Be single-material packaging; • Have components that can be entirely and easily separable from each other.

However, a good design does not make everything, and it is necessary to train and inform the consumers, our customers, on the correct recycling practices to implement. Indeed, the designer’s contribution is essential in clarifying to the customer that the packaging is recoverable and that it must be placed in a sorted waste collection (which depends on regions and countries). To make it happen we: • Indicate the materials of the packaging body; • Invite the user to empty the packaging entirely and, if possible, to reduce its volume before placing it in the waste collector.

5.Optimize product logistics To optimize our logistics and avoid unnecessary CO2eq emissions, we design the primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging keeping in mind the optimization of their dimensions to prevent excessive empty spaces and increasing the number of pieces per pallet.

Examples of successful practical applications: • Pallet stacking optimisation: To rationalize the pallet stacking operation, the “outer” has been modified to allow the following ameliorations: number of boxes per pallet increased from 6 to 8, the weight of each box has been reduced from 526g to 476g (-9.5%), and the total number of products on one pallet increases from 2160 to 2560.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

6. Design considering the reuse of packaging According to Tracy, a ‘refill strategy’ is one of the big moves forward for the brand. She lets me in on an upcoming Refill campaign launch for September 2021. It has apparently been a long time in the making since it can be incredibly complicated to get these sorts of things off the ground, from concept to implementation, especially within skincare.

Final words Using sachets. “Although we’re working hard, we are aware that the packaging redesign process will take time and resources. In some cases, we have not yet been able to find a solution that satisfies us.

For example, sachets represent a big challenge in terms of sustainability. Single doses are a fundamental tool for product awareness: they help us to let the end customer enjoy the quality of our products, before economically committing to the purchase.

But in terms of sustainability, sachets really represent a challenge, because they are single-use and made of poly-coupled material. We admit that we haven’t found a satisfying solution yet, but we continue the research to take a step forward in terms of sachet recyclability.”

Using plastic. “When choosing plastic, we always select typologies that can be recycled. Among those, we prioritize: Recycled plastic, 100% post consumption (not from industrial waste). The advantage of using recycled plastic lies in the possibility of reducing the use of non-renewable resources, in a circular economy perspective. By recycling plastic, we maximize the value of this material, even at the end of its life cycle and minimize its environmental impact by becoming waste. Waste that potentially will end burnt, discharged into waters or in landfills.”

Using bio-based plastic. “Bio-based plastic, coming from renewable sources (sugar cane), food-grade and recyclable. The bio-based plastic we use is Bonsucro certified, which ensures the origin of the material from responsibly managed sources. Biobased polyethylene allows reducing the emissions of CO2eq in the environment by: not using raw materials from nonrenewable sources; sequestration of CO2, linked to sugar cane cultivation. Sugar cane crops can absorb significant concentrations of CO2 and are, therefore, able to offset a substantial portion of the CO2 emitted in the subsequent packaging production steps, making the overall process more sustainable.”

Using virgin plastic. “Virgin plastic, coming from nonrenewable sources, is only chosen when there is no other viable solution available in terms of safety and functionality.”

spa innovation

Circular Furniture Manufacturing #SpaWasteNotChallenge By Lucy Brialey- The Sustainable Spa Association As part of our #SpaWasteNotChallenge highlighting the concepts and benefits of A Circular Economy, our partner Stephanie Hodgson of MeetthefiveR’s has carried out a series of case studies with our trusted Brand and Spa Partners to find out more about the great efforts they go to to keep waste to a minimum, use responsible materials and keep waste from polluting our oceans and environment as innovative examples of circular economy in the spa industry.

emissions. All furniture is designed for comfort so there is no sacrifice for such an environmentally friendly option. The team collaborates with and supporting other local artisans and designers.

Billions of trees are cut down each year to make furniture. Some of that timber is visible and adds to an attractive look. Some of it, though, is hidden. A lot of the wood used for chairs, sofas, beds and the like are never seen but wood is chosen because chopping down trees is still cheap.

Overview:

Plastic, too, makes up a good amount of the inner structure and padding. Think: foam or other stiff padding. Petroleum-based fabrics are also typical so we’re seeing tons and tons of this material throughout the entire design.

The challenge. Most furniture is mass produced, the vast majority of which is made from virgin materials. Even hidden components such as supporting frames and padding are typically made using virgin wood, plastic, foam, etc.

The solution. Van de Sant makes sofas, chairs, loungers, benches and more completely from recycled and recyclable materials.

What makes it circular? Van de Sant fabric is made from post consumer textile waste. The padding is made from recycled foam and the structures are made from plastic waste rescued from land and sea.

Even the metal they use comes from cutting waste, bar the screws and bolts. Importantly, too, every piece of furniture they produce can be reprocessed into new pieces.

The benefits. Sourcing rescued waste materials creates new local jobs and reduces greenhouse gas

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Does all of this really need to be virgin plastic?

Robert Milder doesn’t think so. Robert is a Dutch designer and innovator helping to address issues like deforestation and plastic pollution, one piece of furniture at a time. His business, Van de Sant was born from a need to address the latter, specifically ocean-bound plastic, but he quickly realised he could make sofas, chairs, loungers, benches and the like entirely from rescued materials.

Van de Sant works with ReBlend and BIONIC to source fabric made from post consumer textile waste and recycled plastic PET. Van de Sant padding is made from recycled foam. The structures are made from plastic waste rescued from land and sea. Even the metal they use comes from cutting waste, bar the screws and bolts. Importantly, too, every piece of furniture they produce can be reprocessed into

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

new pieces. In other words, everything can be recycled again.

The body structure and fabric yarn are made entirely from ocean plastic. That frame is completely hidden and yet is incredibly high quality. The chair looks and feels like any other designer piece except it happens to have saved a tree or two, employed a cutting edge designer, made use of post consumer textile waste, saved about 20 bins-worth of plastic from ending up in the ocean and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Recycled materials are still underdeveloped and not yet to the sort of scale required to bring costs down.

The technology is there, yes. But collection can be difficult. Virgin materials remain cheap and demand is still catching up, to name but a few barriers. Watch this space for our upcoming exclusive spa pilot schemes – bringing the circular economy furniture model easily into a spa budget.

I am now in regular contact with Robert to network with some of his supply partners and also to collaborate with Van de Sant on the circular economy campaign I created for and have developed with the Sustainable Spa Association. In fact, one of his partners, ReBlend, is now also collaborating on that campaign, the #SpaWasteNotChallenge, and we are all continuously trying to find ways to work together more, drive more mutually beneficial projects, and grow each other’s reach for the benefit and good reputation of the international spa sector.

spa lifestyle been my intention to do good. Years of research and self-study - and a thirst for knowledge about balancing the body to open the pathways to abundant health - are at the heart of Africology's approach.

SACRED GEOMETRY: Bees & Skin Sacred Shapes & Frequencies Mirroring our Humanity

By Renchia Droganis - Founder and CEO of Africology

It's an approach that's entrenched in our personal values and vision and as a family, we are committed to contributing meaningfully to the health and vitality of your skin, while taking your complete wellbeing - as well as that of the planet - into account. This means every product is mindfully formulated and made in small batches; our intention is never compromised or lost in mass production.

Although I personally love using honey and beeswax in my healing practices and blends - and have witnessed their powerful effects in treating various skin ailments over the years - my heart is committed to safeguarding the future of honeybees. Ethical bee farmers are in short supply and very few farm in spaces where the divinity of bees is respected. We've therefore decided to cut our use of beeswax with 99%.

Only two of Africology's products still contain beeswax, and both are touted for their immense therapeutic effects to treat severe skin conditions: Our African Potato Body Wrap was the first product I ever created by divine guidance - before any other cosmetic house even knew about the benefits of the African potato! It contains honey and beeswax, which work in a wonderful synergy with the African potato and rooibos tea. Our Geranium Body Balm has also been incredibly beneficial to those who

sufferers from eczema - including children and babies.

While we're not changing these formulations, we do so with complete consciousness and awareness of all ethical considerations. Africology continuously looks to partner with farmers who are likeminded and share our heartfelt intention to protect honeybees.

Ethical suppliers usually farm on a small scale. Honey is a bee's energy source - without it, they starve.

Unethical beekeepers harvest the maximum amount of honey from hives, and then replace it with a sugar substitute, which is terribly degrading for the health of bees.

Furthermore, when honeybees can't fly freely, selective breeding narrows the population gene pool and increases susceptibility to diseases and large-scale die-offs. Importing different bee species for use in local hives also leads to diseases. These diseases then spread to the thousands of other pollinators humans and animals rely on.

Heartbreakingly, the wings of queen bees are also often clipped to prevent them from leaving the hive.

For me, one of the most beautiful things about queen bees is how their wings tap into sacred frequency - which weaves into the narrative of sacred geometry.

By clipping their wings, the sacred use of honey is tainted and its frequency and essence changes to abuse.

All these practices threaten bees, their future, their health and honey's ability to be the sacred medicine nature intended it to be. Through cruelty and exploitation, mankind is harming the gifts our Creator bestowed on us for our wellbeing.

Africology is committed to ethical procurement and we never purchase any animal ingredients or test products on animals. Not only are we cruelty-free, but also we're also aware of harmful chemical ingredients that are tested on animals. Our position is clear: why use these when nature has better options?

our veins, and the hexagonal shapes of a honeycomb to our cells. Noting structures of living organisms mirrored throughout the natural world, he found reminders of our relationship to the Earth in beeswax.

A poetic connection with our spiritual nature

Throughout my journey in holistic wellness and healing, I've always been closely aligned to the natural world.

By being attuned to the rhythms, patterns, frequencies and cycles of nature, I've learnt how they can reflect - and support - true wellness in the body - and it's inspired my lifelong quest to unravel the intricate and precious relationship we have with all life on Earth.

Over the years, the teachings of the philosopher Rudolf Steiner have resonated with me profoundly.

His work and writings about bio-identical therapies are incredibly transformative, and his nine bee lectures radiate with wisdom about the innate intelligence contained in beehives, and how they relate to human experiences like health. For example, he compares beeswax to the materials contained in our bodies, worker bees in a hive to the blood coursing through

44

Sharing his fascination, the inner workings of a beehive enchant and inspire me. Every cell in a honeycomb is a hexagon - which is the perfect shape that holds together in strength and efficiency. There's no waste in a system of cells that fit together at perfect angles. This is ideal for honeybees, as they have to consume eight ounces of honey to create just one ounce of wax. Each playing their part in the blueprint of geometric repetition, worker bees create sanctuaries of hexagons in tandem, following the inherent plan meticulously. Watching a bee creating these shapes and seeing how her body warms the cells is a meditation in itself. It reminds me of the work involved in living an authentic life: she puts her heart and soul into her work, as she contributes to the cosmic circle of life.

To discover more about honeybees and the shapes that connect them to our world, Sacred Geometry: Philosophy and Practice by Robert Lawlor is the most illuminating read. As one of the most important symbols of prosperity since ancient times, bees have

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

always had great spiritual significance. Representing wisdom and immortality, they are considered to be incredibly auspicious all over the world. Whenever I use a spoonful of honey for a sore throat, I always close my eyes in gratitude. It's almost unfathomable that one honeybee can only collect about a 12th of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime, and that 600 bees have to visit about 2 million flowers (and fly 55,000 miles) to collect nectar for a litre of honey. This makes it even more alarming that unethical practices and abuse threaten their future.

The star inside each hexagon forms a poetic connection between honeybees and the spiritual layers of our human world. The hexagram (six-pointed star) is associated with the Heart Chakra, and it's also known as the Star of David. During my early years of awakening, many of my dreams were filled with teachings. In one of them, I was presented with the Star of David - and had to find its spiritual meaning.

I'll write more about that in future, but for now, it was a beautiful reminder of this pattern in nature, which is consistently repeated through time, space and meaning.

A conscious & ethical choice With my consciousness firmly anchored in the principles and practice of energy healing, it's always

Critical aspects we consider during procurement revolve around ethical production processes, intention, value systems and ethics. I truly believe that through consciousness, we can eliminate exploitation and the abuse of human and animal wellbeing, and protect our precious Earth.

Aware, awakened and aligned with the beauty around you And at the heart it, consciousness involves the ability to retrieve a childlike wonder and looking at the world around us with kindness and hopeful eyes.

To marvel at the rhythms, patterns, Aware, awakened and aligned with the beauty around you frequencies and cycles of nature and recognise our own existence mirrored in the mesmerising daily life of a honeybee.

"The honeybee sings while she works and we hear her spirit song. Her hum is spun into the fiber of summer so that we associate this vibrational sound with brilliant rays of sunlight that make us stop and close our eyes and feel the sun on our faces. It is no wonder the wildflowers turn their faces toward the sun and are graced by the light healing touch of the gentle honey bee." - SHELLEY GIORDANO To be enchanted even more by bees, visit More Than Honey - it's a wonderful resource featuring lovely material.

spa lifestyle been my intention to do good. Years of research and self-study - and a thirst for knowledge about balancing the body to open the pathways to abundant health - are at the heart of Africology's approach.

SACRED GEOMETRY: Bees & Skin Sacred Shapes & Frequencies Mirroring our Humanity

By Renchia Droganis - Founder and CEO of Africology

It's an approach that's entrenched in our personal values and vision and as a family, we are committed to contributing meaningfully to the health and vitality of your skin, while taking your complete wellbeing - as well as that of the planet - into account. This means every product is mindfully formulated and made in small batches; our intention is never compromised or lost in mass production.

Although I personally love using honey and beeswax in my healing practices and blends - and have witnessed their powerful effects in treating various skin ailments over the years - my heart is committed to safeguarding the future of honeybees. Ethical bee farmers are in short supply and very few farm in spaces where the divinity of bees is respected. We've therefore decided to cut our use of beeswax with 99%.

Only two of Africology's products still contain beeswax, and both are touted for their immense therapeutic effects to treat severe skin conditions: Our African Potato Body Wrap was the first product I ever created by divine guidance - before any other cosmetic house even knew about the benefits of the African potato! It contains honey and beeswax, which work in a wonderful synergy with the African potato and rooibos tea. Our Geranium Body Balm has also been incredibly beneficial to those who

sufferers from eczema - including children and babies.

While we're not changing these formulations, we do so with complete consciousness and awareness of all ethical considerations. Africology continuously looks to partner with farmers who are likeminded and share our heartfelt intention to protect honeybees.

Ethical suppliers usually farm on a small scale. Honey is a bee's energy source - without it, they starve.

Unethical beekeepers harvest the maximum amount of honey from hives, and then replace it with a sugar substitute, which is terribly degrading for the health of bees.

Furthermore, when honeybees can't fly freely, selective breeding narrows the population gene pool and increases susceptibility to diseases and large-scale die-offs. Importing different bee species for use in local hives also leads to diseases. These diseases then spread to the thousands of other pollinators humans and animals rely on.

Heartbreakingly, the wings of queen bees are also often clipped to prevent them from leaving the hive.

For me, one of the most beautiful things about queen bees is how their wings tap into sacred frequency - which weaves into the narrative of sacred geometry.

By clipping their wings, the sacred use of honey is tainted and its frequency and essence changes to abuse.

All these practices threaten bees, their future, their health and honey's ability to be the sacred medicine nature intended it to be. Through cruelty and exploitation, mankind is harming the gifts our Creator bestowed on us for our wellbeing.

Africology is committed to ethical procurement and we never purchase any animal ingredients or test products on animals. Not only are we cruelty-free, but also we're also aware of harmful chemical ingredients that are tested on animals. Our position is clear: why use these when nature has better options?

our veins, and the hexagonal shapes of a honeycomb to our cells. Noting structures of living organisms mirrored throughout the natural world, he found reminders of our relationship to the Earth in beeswax.

A poetic connection with our spiritual nature

Throughout my journey in holistic wellness and healing, I've always been closely aligned to the natural world.

By being attuned to the rhythms, patterns, frequencies and cycles of nature, I've learnt how they can reflect - and support - true wellness in the body - and it's inspired my lifelong quest to unravel the intricate and precious relationship we have with all life on Earth.

Over the years, the teachings of the philosopher Rudolf Steiner have resonated with me profoundly.

His work and writings about bio-identical therapies are incredibly transformative, and his nine bee lectures radiate with wisdom about the innate intelligence contained in beehives, and how they relate to human experiences like health. For example, he compares beeswax to the materials contained in our bodies, worker bees in a hive to the blood coursing through

44

Sharing his fascination, the inner workings of a beehive enchant and inspire me. Every cell in a honeycomb is a hexagon - which is the perfect shape that holds together in strength and efficiency. There's no waste in a system of cells that fit together at perfect angles. This is ideal for honeybees, as they have to consume eight ounces of honey to create just one ounce of wax. Each playing their part in the blueprint of geometric repetition, worker bees create sanctuaries of hexagons in tandem, following the inherent plan meticulously. Watching a bee creating these shapes and seeing how her body warms the cells is a meditation in itself. It reminds me of the work involved in living an authentic life: she puts her heart and soul into her work, as she contributes to the cosmic circle of life.

To discover more about honeybees and the shapes that connect them to our world, Sacred Geometry: Philosophy and Practice by Robert Lawlor is the most illuminating read. As one of the most important symbols of prosperity since ancient times, bees have

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

always had great spiritual significance. Representing wisdom and immortality, they are considered to be incredibly auspicious all over the world. Whenever I use a spoonful of honey for a sore throat, I always close my eyes in gratitude. It's almost unfathomable that one honeybee can only collect about a 12th of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime, and that 600 bees have to visit about 2 million flowers (and fly 55,000 miles) to collect nectar for a litre of honey. This makes it even more alarming that unethical practices and abuse threaten their future.

The star inside each hexagon forms a poetic connection between honeybees and the spiritual layers of our human world. The hexagram (six-pointed star) is associated with the Heart Chakra, and it's also known as the Star of David. During my early years of awakening, many of my dreams were filled with teachings. In one of them, I was presented with the Star of David - and had to find its spiritual meaning.

I'll write more about that in future, but for now, it was a beautiful reminder of this pattern in nature, which is consistently repeated through time, space and meaning.

A conscious & ethical choice With my consciousness firmly anchored in the principles and practice of energy healing, it's always

Critical aspects we consider during procurement revolve around ethical production processes, intention, value systems and ethics. I truly believe that through consciousness, we can eliminate exploitation and the abuse of human and animal wellbeing, and protect our precious Earth.

Aware, awakened and aligned with the beauty around you And at the heart it, consciousness involves the ability to retrieve a childlike wonder and looking at the world around us with kindness and hopeful eyes.

To marvel at the rhythms, patterns, Aware, awakened and aligned with the beauty around you frequencies and cycles of nature and recognise our own existence mirrored in the mesmerising daily life of a honeybee.

"The honeybee sings while she works and we hear her spirit song. Her hum is spun into the fiber of summer so that we associate this vibrational sound with brilliant rays of sunlight that make us stop and close our eyes and feel the sun on our faces. It is no wonder the wildflowers turn their faces toward the sun and are graced by the light healing touch of the gentle honey bee." - SHELLEY GIORDANO To be enchanted even more by bees, visit More Than Honey - it's a wonderful resource featuring lovely material.

spa innovation

Waste Auditing – how to reduce your spa waste and protect the planet #SpaWasteNotChallenge By Lucy Brialey- The Sustainable Spa Association Facility management teams are always looking to identify the most effective business models. For some, increasing revenue is a priority, while others focus on cutting costs, maximising existing resources or on providing efficient working environments.

What some might have overlooked, however, is how a good waste audit can be the best catalyst in supporting all of the above.

The Glamour of Auditing When businesses take a closer look at their waste, they can begin making qualified decisions which create profitable and environmental changes. It’s easy to overlook the enormous return on investment (ROI) generated by waste audits, because they don’t exactly have a glamorous reputation. However, waste audits can be pivotal in helping you reduce costs, while also generating revenue.

A good waste audit can help with purchasing decisions and create a leaner business model. By recognising the number of recyclable materials that are going out the back door, you can re-evaluate what you purchase on the front end. The resulting savings can make a huge difference to the financial bottom line.

As well as helping spa businesses see how they can make positive changes, waste audits can help

46

companies see a way forward to building a brand founded on sustainability. In this era of climate change and increased awareness of environmental issues, a reputation for corporate responsibility can really boost a company’s brand, create loyal customers and attract new, environmentally aware customers.

This kind of goodwill starts at the local level with residents who appreciate efforts to divert waste from the neighbourhood landfill. When you’re dealing with larger, nationwide companies which operate across a country, small local changes can have a huge benefit when they’re rolled into a national programme.

where everything is going and identify any areas of non-compliance.

Auditing is at its most effective, however, at regular intervals. This will allow businesses to measure any changes in waste production, evaluate whether training and recycling programmes are effective, and make any necessary changes. In this regard, data gathering and analytics are the key to success.

Accurate figures and results of “waste successes” can also provide spas with information which they can share with their teams and guests. Success stories can be used to promote staff commitment to recycling initiatives, as well as to develop effective training programmes going forward.

What Is A Waste Audit?

Given their potential ROI, it’s important to know what goes into effective waste audits. At the most basic level, an audit should provide a snapshot of business waste at a specific moment in time.

The process begins by dividing waste into substrates — such as plastic, paper, metal, etc. Once a business has a clear idea of what they’ve got, the auditors should weigh everything and calculate the total volume. From there, the audit can separate waste into different categories – such as recyclable commodities, hazardous wastes, and organic or compostable waste. The audit should also track

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Most spas will be able to develop capacity to conduct in-house audits. This involves giving responsibility to the appropriate team members to gather and analyse data, track waste and monitor.

Some things to remember: 1. To maximise ROI, organisations should perform audits regularly, 2. Track the results of any changes that are made, and modify the program as needed.

3. The resulting value in terms of cost savings, increased revenue can be measured 4. Tell everyone your results! Increase the positivity of your Brand awareness

spa lifestyle In response to pandemic pain, more programming is tackling tougher emotions— from grief to trauma

trauma, and they’re bringing in new practitioners, from therapists and psychiatrists to hypnotherapists and spiritual healers.

Back in January, at our trends event in NYC, we speculated that when travel (and the world) started to open up, wellness resorts would need to address tougher, more raw human emotions and pain given the mental wellness crisis wrought by the pandemic.

We argued that the old “stress-reduction” message and therapies would now feel lightweight and that more destinations would “get real” and play it less safe with their mental wellness programming, which can often feel abstract and about achieving some kind of superhero self-optimization. People are in pain; they’ve been isolated; they seek serious mental healing and a deeper meaning in life. And the future is more intensive, comprehensive emotional wellness solutions.

It’s all part of the larger, unprecedented global conversation underway: Everyone suffers mental issues and emotional pain, even the most “well” and fit people imaginable, as evidenced by the courageous recent actions of Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles. This new, positive focus on emotional wellness is part of a larger questioning of our patriarchal society, where emotion is derided as feminine weakness.

This is now happening: Hotels, wellness resorts and even new real estate developments are rolling out programming to tackle everything from grief to

Wellness Destinations Get into Serious Emotional Healing

By Global Wellness Institute

48

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

There are numerous examples of the new emotional healing in wellness (and more below). Scream therapy has been dubbed “the new yoga,” as more people ache for the most cathartic emotional release.

At Kamalaya in Thailand, their new program, “Embracing Change,” is all about healing the intense emotional stresses born of the pandemic, using everything from acupuncture to one-on-one sessions with a mentor who does some hard work with you

to unriddle your emotional patterns. Accor’s Raffles Hotels and Resorts’ new wellness program is tellingly called “Emotional Wellbeing by Raffles.” Greece’s Euphoria Retreat has launched a new program for “trauma recovery,” which revolves around a lot of emotional expression work. Six Senses has been focused on “emotional hospitality” and is programming around important (but too often disregarded) concepts such as the power of love.

More destinations are combining the clinical and the spiritual, such as Cavallo Point near San Francisco, which offers everything from hypnotherapy to Shamanic journeys to ease the pain.

There’s an incredible opportunity for wellness destinations to invent a new integrative mental wellness arsenal, to be a positive force in smashing taboos around mental struggles, and to give people what they now need most: to come to their emotional rescue.

spa lifestyle In response to pandemic pain, more programming is tackling tougher emotions— from grief to trauma

trauma, and they’re bringing in new practitioners, from therapists and psychiatrists to hypnotherapists and spiritual healers.

Back in January, at our trends event in NYC, we speculated that when travel (and the world) started to open up, wellness resorts would need to address tougher, more raw human emotions and pain given the mental wellness crisis wrought by the pandemic.

We argued that the old “stress-reduction” message and therapies would now feel lightweight and that more destinations would “get real” and play it less safe with their mental wellness programming, which can often feel abstract and about achieving some kind of superhero self-optimization. People are in pain; they’ve been isolated; they seek serious mental healing and a deeper meaning in life. And the future is more intensive, comprehensive emotional wellness solutions.

It’s all part of the larger, unprecedented global conversation underway: Everyone suffers mental issues and emotional pain, even the most “well” and fit people imaginable, as evidenced by the courageous recent actions of Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles. This new, positive focus on emotional wellness is part of a larger questioning of our patriarchal society, where emotion is derided as feminine weakness.

This is now happening: Hotels, wellness resorts and even new real estate developments are rolling out programming to tackle everything from grief to

Wellness Destinations Get into Serious Emotional Healing

By Global Wellness Institute

48

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

There are numerous examples of the new emotional healing in wellness (and more below). Scream therapy has been dubbed “the new yoga,” as more people ache for the most cathartic emotional release.

At Kamalaya in Thailand, their new program, “Embracing Change,” is all about healing the intense emotional stresses born of the pandemic, using everything from acupuncture to one-on-one sessions with a mentor who does some hard work with you

to unriddle your emotional patterns. Accor’s Raffles Hotels and Resorts’ new wellness program is tellingly called “Emotional Wellbeing by Raffles.” Greece’s Euphoria Retreat has launched a new program for “trauma recovery,” which revolves around a lot of emotional expression work. Six Senses has been focused on “emotional hospitality” and is programming around important (but too often disregarded) concepts such as the power of love.

More destinations are combining the clinical and the spiritual, such as Cavallo Point near San Francisco, which offers everything from hypnotherapy to Shamanic journeys to ease the pain.

There’s an incredible opportunity for wellness destinations to invent a new integrative mental wellness arsenal, to be a positive force in smashing taboos around mental struggles, and to give people what they now need most: to come to their emotional rescue.

spa lifestyle must have the TIMING of light at its center. We tried, but confusion still reigns.

GWI: In a “nutshell” what is the difference between the “circadian clock” and “sleep”?

And why it matters?

Why “Circadian Time” Will Become The Foundation of Health and Wellness Q&A with Dr. Steven Lockley and Mickey Beyer-Clausen:

Every July 24 is Circadian Awareness Day, which shines a light on the extraordinary effects our 24/7 circadian rhythms have on our safety, performance and health.

In this fascinating interview, they discuss: • How sleep (our cultural obsession) is not the same as the “circadian clock”— and only solutions that have the timing of light at their center can shift or “reset” our circadian rhythms.

• How our modern world is a circadian nightmare. The future? Solutions that maintain or “reset” our circadian rhythms, a revolution not only for shift workers and jet-lagged travelers but for ALL of us, with our alwayson, Zoom-at-5 AM, digital lives.

50

By Global Wellness Institute

• How circadian science will transform medicine, timed to your circadian cycle for maximum efficacy and safety.

• How the future is “circadian wellness”: When is the best time to do that high-intensity workout, eat that particular food, or have that important meeting.

building genre-defining companies. Mickey is the co-founder and CEO of Timeshifter—a circadian science company translating sleep and circadian neuroscience into apps to improve the safety, health and performance. Before Timeshifter, Beyer-Clausen co-founded several other businesses, including Trunk Archive and Happiness Foundation.

Dr. Steven W. Lockley, BSc, PhD, is a worldrenowned sleep and circadian neuroscientist. He is an associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School; a neuroscientist at the Division of Sleep Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and the co-founder and chief scientist at CircadianTech pioneer Timeshifter.

GWI: People are obsessed with sleep, but it’s NOT the same as the circadian clock.

Mickey Beyer-Clausen is a Danish-born, New York-based entrepreneur with a track record of

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

One of our top wellness trends for 2020 was that the wellness world would shift from their obsession with “sleep” (and the storm of “sleep solutions”) and focus on what matters more: managing circadian rhythms. With Dr. Lockley’s incredible scientific guidance, we tried to explain that ANY solution that claims to “reset” circadian rhythms

The confusion is understandable because these are challenging concepts. The circadian system controls the timing of many bodily systems, of which sleep is just one. The circadian (24-hour) clock also controls the timing of many rhythmic functions, including many hormones, lipid and glucose metabolism, immune function, reproductive hormones, bone metabolism, mood and performance, and many others. The circadian system is more wide-reaching than sleep: Sleep is just one output of that central clock. You can think of the clock in the brain as the conductor of an orchestra, keeping the individual members of the orchestra (different organs and functions in the body and brain) in synch. There are clocks in the heart, lungs, kidneys, ovaries and many other cells that can keep their own time but look to the conductor for overall timing. Another example: an old analog watch, there are different hands of the clock. So, think of sleep, metabolism, hormones and immune health as different hands controlled by that central circadian clock in your brain.

What is KEY is that if you want to control the timing of the circadian clock or reset a disrupted clock, you need to develop interventions that have the type and timing of light at the center. Light is the major time cue that synchronizes our circadian rhythms, and light is the solution to reset them. By correcting the timing of the circadian clock, you automatically correct the timing of the systems the clock controls, bringing them all into line to work as efficiently as possible. Circadian disruption is quite common—many of us experience it—and science-based solutions to address the underlying circadian disorders are needed.

The daily solar light-dark cycle is the crucial time cue that resets our clocks every day; if you don’t take in light and dark, you can’t reset your clock.

Man-made light can both help and hinder this process, depending on when you see it: Electric light after dusk is potentially disruptive but can supplement daylight in the day (or replace daylight if a night-shift worker). Regular, consistent light cues (and therefore wake/sleep schedules, as wake equals light and sleep equals dark) are the pillars of circadian health, but it’s also personal: We all have a slightly different clock time or chronotype.

“Early birds” have a clock that cycles faster, and they typically feel better early in the day; “night owls’” clocks cycle more slowly, and they tend to feel better later in the day. Individual chronotypes have many real-world effects because they impact how you line up with time and the world: essentially, when you work best, digest food most efficiently, sleep the longest, etc.

Circadian disruption happens when we change our sleep/wake and light/dark cycles. The modern world is a circadian ‘lightmare’ GWI: Why are we in such a circadian disruption crisis now?

Think about all the disruptions to our circadian clock that have been unleashed in the last 100

years, making us no longer attuned to the natural light/dark cycle. With electric lights, we override that cycle, exposing ourselves to light in the evening and overnight. Jet travel means hopping to new time zones so fast that our clock can’t keep up, causing jet lag. Shiftwork—only possible since the widespread introduction of artificial light—has surged, causing extreme “clock” misalignments. And in a digital, global world, we all expose our eyes to the alerting “blue-enriched” light emitted by electronic devices. We have all become shift workers to some extent, with an always-on work mode. Those early starts or late nights are “shiftwork” in a way, just less extreme, but can still have damaging effects on circadian rhythms. Our modern world conspires to disrupt the circadian system, and when those systems are out of sync for years, you not only see sleep problems but higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, depression and some cancers. This is why solutions that can maintain or “reset” our circadian clocks to the right time will be the future of medicine and wellness.

GWI: But what about circadian solutions for “regular” people like me?

With the Internet killing the divide between life and work (goodbye 9-to-5), which was further killed by work-from-home and Zoom calls that happen at 5 AM and midnight the same day, don’t we ALL need constant “time-shifting” and circadian resetting?

Circadian disruption is a continuum, and these problems run all through society, from people who do the same thing every day to extreme shift work.

The more variability in behavior, you have in your circadian clock day-to-day (erratic sleep/wake times, light/dark exposure), the more health and productivity problems you’re going to have.

There’s huge potential for us and others to build tools that help everyday people manage their circadian clock far more effectively. If you use science to estimate where people are at in their circadian cycle, apps can help you TIME your life far better: When is the best circadian time for individuals in Singapore and LA to Zoom or how to make sure your brain and body are ready when you need to be at your best.

There are so many use cases. Athletes want to perform when their body is at its most alert, energized state, but running a marathon at 9 AM is radically different than playing a basketball game at 8 PM. So, we’re working with Olympic athletes to match performance time to peak circadian time.

Ten years ago, sleep was not a cultural priority, and people bragged about not sleeping. Now, it’s a half-trillion-dollar economy. Expect circadian science to go mainstream in the next few years and the circadian economy to eventually overtake the sleep economy. The future is connecting artificial clock time with “natural time”—your individual circadian clock. It’s about making “circadian time” every bit as important as clock time—something just as visible to you on your watch—so you know what’s happening in your body, can time activities in your life better, and even proactively “shift” your circadian clock to tackle jet lag, manage changing work schedules, be at your best when you need to perform, or increase the antibodies stimulated by your vaccine. Circadian science will transform many industries, from the timing of medicine to sunglasses

GWI: Any other major circadian issues that need fixing? What’s ahead in the future?

Circadian science will revolutionize personalized medicine. Here is one example of an overlooked problem that could easily be turned into an opportunity: The multibillion-dollar sunglasses industry has so far focused on enhancing color and contrast so their customers can see more detail but often forget that their lenses also alter the quality of light the eye receives to reset the circadian clock or alert the brain. Who wants their sunglasses to tell their brain that it’s night during the day, making them sleepy exactly when they don’t want to be or tell their brain it’s day in the evening, making them alert when they want to prepare for sleep?

Just like with our ears which control hearing and balance, our eyes have two separate functions: One is to see our surroundings (that’s all we have thought about until now), but the eyes have a second, completely separate system sending light and dark cues from special cells in the eyes directly to our circadian clock, telling the brain if it’s day or night. If we’re wearing sunglasses that don’t let in the right spectrum or intensity of light, you’re messing with the circadian clock.

And the current “blue-light-blocking” glasses approach can be overly simplistic and unscientific: Blocking blue light is one component, but other wavelengths of light at night negatively affect the circadian system and need to be addressed.

In the not-too-distant future, we will be applying circadian science in medicine, which will take many forms and have a massive impact. Right now, medicine all revolves around clock-time, not an individual’s circadian time, but we see differences of up to nine hours in the timing of circadian clocks between individuals living in the same time zone!

You and I are given drugs, treatments and vaccines at the same clock-time even though our circadian rhythms might be very different. It might be better for you to take that morning pill at 7 AM, but better for me to take it at 10 AM to get the best effects or fewer side effects. The new era of circadian medicine will become a routine part of your healthcare management, and in terms of prevention, it’s going to have a revolutionary effect: Getting the timing of medicine right will improve the health of billions of people.

GWI: What about the timing of “wellness”?

Every aspect of health and wellness is governed by the circadian clock. Circadian rhythm measurement and advice can tell you when it’s a better or worse time for everything from that highintensity workout to eating a particular food.

There are so many wearables tracking all kinds of data, and what we need to do is put the timing of that data at the very center of health tracking. It sounds biased, but justifiably so, given the ubiquity of circadian rhythms on our biology, organs and cells. There’s a lot of promise in harvesting the wealth of biometric data out there to detect and optimize circadian rhythms if used correctly. Wellness depends on timing for eating, sleeping, and exercising, but at the moment, circadian timing is not adequately accounted for. When it is, the health benefits will be even greater.

spa lifestyle must have the TIMING of light at its center. We tried, but confusion still reigns.

GWI: In a “nutshell” what is the difference between the “circadian clock” and “sleep”?

And why it matters?

Why “Circadian Time” Will Become The Foundation of Health and Wellness Q&A with Dr. Steven Lockley and Mickey Beyer-Clausen:

Every July 24 is Circadian Awareness Day, which shines a light on the extraordinary effects our 24/7 circadian rhythms have on our safety, performance and health.

In this fascinating interview, they discuss: • How sleep (our cultural obsession) is not the same as the “circadian clock”— and only solutions that have the timing of light at their center can shift or “reset” our circadian rhythms.

• How our modern world is a circadian nightmare. The future? Solutions that maintain or “reset” our circadian rhythms, a revolution not only for shift workers and jet-lagged travelers but for ALL of us, with our alwayson, Zoom-at-5 AM, digital lives.

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By Global Wellness Institute

• How circadian science will transform medicine, timed to your circadian cycle for maximum efficacy and safety.

• How the future is “circadian wellness”: When is the best time to do that high-intensity workout, eat that particular food, or have that important meeting.

building genre-defining companies. Mickey is the co-founder and CEO of Timeshifter—a circadian science company translating sleep and circadian neuroscience into apps to improve the safety, health and performance. Before Timeshifter, Beyer-Clausen co-founded several other businesses, including Trunk Archive and Happiness Foundation.

Dr. Steven W. Lockley, BSc, PhD, is a worldrenowned sleep and circadian neuroscientist. He is an associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School; a neuroscientist at the Division of Sleep Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and the co-founder and chief scientist at CircadianTech pioneer Timeshifter.

GWI: People are obsessed with sleep, but it’s NOT the same as the circadian clock.

Mickey Beyer-Clausen is a Danish-born, New York-based entrepreneur with a track record of

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

One of our top wellness trends for 2020 was that the wellness world would shift from their obsession with “sleep” (and the storm of “sleep solutions”) and focus on what matters more: managing circadian rhythms. With Dr. Lockley’s incredible scientific guidance, we tried to explain that ANY solution that claims to “reset” circadian rhythms

The confusion is understandable because these are challenging concepts. The circadian system controls the timing of many bodily systems, of which sleep is just one. The circadian (24-hour) clock also controls the timing of many rhythmic functions, including many hormones, lipid and glucose metabolism, immune function, reproductive hormones, bone metabolism, mood and performance, and many others. The circadian system is more wide-reaching than sleep: Sleep is just one output of that central clock. You can think of the clock in the brain as the conductor of an orchestra, keeping the individual members of the orchestra (different organs and functions in the body and brain) in synch. There are clocks in the heart, lungs, kidneys, ovaries and many other cells that can keep their own time but look to the conductor for overall timing. Another example: an old analog watch, there are different hands of the clock. So, think of sleep, metabolism, hormones and immune health as different hands controlled by that central circadian clock in your brain.

What is KEY is that if you want to control the timing of the circadian clock or reset a disrupted clock, you need to develop interventions that have the type and timing of light at the center. Light is the major time cue that synchronizes our circadian rhythms, and light is the solution to reset them. By correcting the timing of the circadian clock, you automatically correct the timing of the systems the clock controls, bringing them all into line to work as efficiently as possible. Circadian disruption is quite common—many of us experience it—and science-based solutions to address the underlying circadian disorders are needed.

The daily solar light-dark cycle is the crucial time cue that resets our clocks every day; if you don’t take in light and dark, you can’t reset your clock.

Man-made light can both help and hinder this process, depending on when you see it: Electric light after dusk is potentially disruptive but can supplement daylight in the day (or replace daylight if a night-shift worker). Regular, consistent light cues (and therefore wake/sleep schedules, as wake equals light and sleep equals dark) are the pillars of circadian health, but it’s also personal: We all have a slightly different clock time or chronotype.

“Early birds” have a clock that cycles faster, and they typically feel better early in the day; “night owls’” clocks cycle more slowly, and they tend to feel better later in the day. Individual chronotypes have many real-world effects because they impact how you line up with time and the world: essentially, when you work best, digest food most efficiently, sleep the longest, etc.

Circadian disruption happens when we change our sleep/wake and light/dark cycles. The modern world is a circadian ‘lightmare’ GWI: Why are we in such a circadian disruption crisis now?

Think about all the disruptions to our circadian clock that have been unleashed in the last 100

years, making us no longer attuned to the natural light/dark cycle. With electric lights, we override that cycle, exposing ourselves to light in the evening and overnight. Jet travel means hopping to new time zones so fast that our clock can’t keep up, causing jet lag. Shiftwork—only possible since the widespread introduction of artificial light—has surged, causing extreme “clock” misalignments. And in a digital, global world, we all expose our eyes to the alerting “blue-enriched” light emitted by electronic devices. We have all become shift workers to some extent, with an always-on work mode. Those early starts or late nights are “shiftwork” in a way, just less extreme, but can still have damaging effects on circadian rhythms. Our modern world conspires to disrupt the circadian system, and when those systems are out of sync for years, you not only see sleep problems but higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, depression and some cancers. This is why solutions that can maintain or “reset” our circadian clocks to the right time will be the future of medicine and wellness.

GWI: But what about circadian solutions for “regular” people like me?

With the Internet killing the divide between life and work (goodbye 9-to-5), which was further killed by work-from-home and Zoom calls that happen at 5 AM and midnight the same day, don’t we ALL need constant “time-shifting” and circadian resetting?

Circadian disruption is a continuum, and these problems run all through society, from people who do the same thing every day to extreme shift work.

The more variability in behavior, you have in your circadian clock day-to-day (erratic sleep/wake times, light/dark exposure), the more health and productivity problems you’re going to have.

There’s huge potential for us and others to build tools that help everyday people manage their circadian clock far more effectively. If you use science to estimate where people are at in their circadian cycle, apps can help you TIME your life far better: When is the best circadian time for individuals in Singapore and LA to Zoom or how to make sure your brain and body are ready when you need to be at your best.

There are so many use cases. Athletes want to perform when their body is at its most alert, energized state, but running a marathon at 9 AM is radically different than playing a basketball game at 8 PM. So, we’re working with Olympic athletes to match performance time to peak circadian time.

Ten years ago, sleep was not a cultural priority, and people bragged about not sleeping. Now, it’s a half-trillion-dollar economy. Expect circadian science to go mainstream in the next few years and the circadian economy to eventually overtake the sleep economy. The future is connecting artificial clock time with “natural time”—your individual circadian clock. It’s about making “circadian time” every bit as important as clock time—something just as visible to you on your watch—so you know what’s happening in your body, can time activities in your life better, and even proactively “shift” your circadian clock to tackle jet lag, manage changing work schedules, be at your best when you need to perform, or increase the antibodies stimulated by your vaccine. Circadian science will transform many industries, from the timing of medicine to sunglasses

GWI: Any other major circadian issues that need fixing? What’s ahead in the future?

Circadian science will revolutionize personalized medicine. Here is one example of an overlooked problem that could easily be turned into an opportunity: The multibillion-dollar sunglasses industry has so far focused on enhancing color and contrast so their customers can see more detail but often forget that their lenses also alter the quality of light the eye receives to reset the circadian clock or alert the brain. Who wants their sunglasses to tell their brain that it’s night during the day, making them sleepy exactly when they don’t want to be or tell their brain it’s day in the evening, making them alert when they want to prepare for sleep?

Just like with our ears which control hearing and balance, our eyes have two separate functions: One is to see our surroundings (that’s all we have thought about until now), but the eyes have a second, completely separate system sending light and dark cues from special cells in the eyes directly to our circadian clock, telling the brain if it’s day or night. If we’re wearing sunglasses that don’t let in the right spectrum or intensity of light, you’re messing with the circadian clock.

And the current “blue-light-blocking” glasses approach can be overly simplistic and unscientific: Blocking blue light is one component, but other wavelengths of light at night negatively affect the circadian system and need to be addressed.

In the not-too-distant future, we will be applying circadian science in medicine, which will take many forms and have a massive impact. Right now, medicine all revolves around clock-time, not an individual’s circadian time, but we see differences of up to nine hours in the timing of circadian clocks between individuals living in the same time zone!

You and I are given drugs, treatments and vaccines at the same clock-time even though our circadian rhythms might be very different. It might be better for you to take that morning pill at 7 AM, but better for me to take it at 10 AM to get the best effects or fewer side effects. The new era of circadian medicine will become a routine part of your healthcare management, and in terms of prevention, it’s going to have a revolutionary effect: Getting the timing of medicine right will improve the health of billions of people.

GWI: What about the timing of “wellness”?

Every aspect of health and wellness is governed by the circadian clock. Circadian rhythm measurement and advice can tell you when it’s a better or worse time for everything from that highintensity workout to eating a particular food.

There are so many wearables tracking all kinds of data, and what we need to do is put the timing of that data at the very center of health tracking. It sounds biased, but justifiably so, given the ubiquity of circadian rhythms on our biology, organs and cells. There’s a lot of promise in harvesting the wealth of biometric data out there to detect and optimize circadian rhythms if used correctly. Wellness depends on timing for eating, sleeping, and exercising, but at the moment, circadian timing is not adequately accounted for. When it is, the health benefits will be even greater.

spa lifestyle

Is Mental Wellness an Individual or Collective Responsibility?

By Katherine Johnston and Ophelia Yeung, GWI Senior Research Fellows

The notion that mental wellness is about self-care and personal agency does not imply that it is solely an individual pursuit or that it is fully within our own locus of control. Many of the pathways for mental wellness may sound like simple healthy lifestyle habits (e.g., eating well, exercising, access to nature, etc.), but they are often not accessible to people due to a host of reasons: financial, geographical, cultural, or the lack of knowledge or support systems.

The external and macro environment is not only an enabler or obstacle to pursuing mental wellness; it is often the very cause of our mental distress. People who are subject to systematic violence, cruelty, discrimination, abuse, injustice, war, poverty, famine, displacement, natural and manmade disasters, and other dire situations suffer major blows to mental wellness that are outside of their control. These types of trauma can trigger chronic mental distress that may take years, a lifetime, or even generations to overcome, and that may also lead to clinical mental illness.

Yet, even under adverse circumstances, our individual practices can fortify our mental wellness, and businesses and governments each have an important

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role to play to give people a boost on their mental wellness pathways. Mental illness and mental unwellness impose a massive economic and societal burden around the world. But governments and businesses have an incentive to promote mental wellness. As discussed in our report, practices that improve mental wellness can not only lessen the symptoms of mental illness but also reduce our risk of developing a mental illness. Mental wellness is also linked with many other positive outcomes, including better physical health, longevity, social relationships, and work performance.

Governments play a major role in our access to mental wellness. At the highest level, external and macro-level circumstances (e.g., pover ty, unemployment, war, hunger) are major impediments to mental wellness, and these are shaped by government policies both nationally and locally (see figure below). Governments can help build up our mental wellness resources and enhance neuroplasticity early in our lifespans by supporting good prenatal and postnatal care or by teaching key skills like meditation and mindfulness in schools.

At the city and community level, government policies can support mental wellness-enhancing physical

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

and built environments (e.g., access to parks, green space, facilities for physical recreation, arts and culture, etc.).

Industry and businesses play a vitally important role in the mental wellness landscape. Mental wellness has grown out of a consumer-led, grassroots movement that demands self-directed, holistic, natural and alternative solutions outside of the established fields of medicine, psychiatry and psychology. Private businesses across many industries (hospitality, spas, technology, consumer goods, housewares, books and media, etc.) have become a major vehicle for developing new solutions by adopting and adapting mental wellness modalities and delivering them to consumers through multiple channels. For example, businesses have been especially active in launching technology-based innovations that expand access to mental wellness practices at a variety of price points; offer more choices and adaptations to individual preferences; provide new products, solutions and experiences; collect new data and evidence; and attract research resources and investments.

spa therapies

Multi Roll disposable bed sheets for the Ultimate Hygienic experience.

In this column, we will look at the actions of an entirely fictional massage therapist who is in a hurry and makes a few unfortunate errors in how she sets up her office for the day.

Meet Myrtle: Myrtle the massage therapist was running late on a Monday morning. Fortunately, she had started to launder her sheets and face cradle covers. She is conscientious about energy use, so she washed them all in cold water, but she used extra non-chlorine bleach, so they would be really clean.

The wet laundry was placed in the dryer and she hoped her first client would not notice that the linen was still a little damp.

Myrtle hustled into her session room, but her table was marked with oily handprints - not the kind of impression she wanted to make. She grabbed a translucent bottle of 10 percent bleach solution off her open shelf and spritzed her table and quickly wiped it off with a paper towel.

She adjusted one fitted sheet, then realized that with six clients on the books, her time to dress her table between appointments would be extremely limited.

So, she used an old trick: she layered the rest of the fitted sheets on top of the first, so she could simply peel them off one by one. She quickly folded the extra, slightly damp flat sheets and stacked them on her open shelves.

As Myrtle fitted her face cradle into the top of the table, she realized it was a little sticky. She grabbed an alcohol-soaked towelette. She quickly wiped down the face cradle before stacking six covers on it. Then she used the moist towelette to wipe her doorknob, the light switch plate, her bottle of lubricant and lastly, her own hands to greet her first client.

How many mistakes did Myrtle make? Let us look.

Principles of Hygiene

covered with product. Less on laundry and electricity expenses. www.hygienedisposablewear.co.za

Universal Precautions are a set of protocols that were introduced in 1987 (after HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B had become major public health issues) to create some uniformity in how professionals could limit contact with body fluids in the working environment.

Standard precautions were added to include guidelines on how to avoid all potentially harmful body fluids. Obviously, massage therapists are unlikely to be exposed to plural fluids, but it is important to note that sweat and tears are fluids that massage therapists are exposed to most often. The methods that infectious agents use to jump the gap from one host to another have been exhaustively studied. The process essentially boils down to three issues: a reservoir or source of the infectious agent, a mode of transport, and a susceptible new host.

Possible reservoirs can include other humans, or inanimate habitats like contaminated computer keyboards, foods or cash that may be handled by hundreds of people. The susceptibility of a new host depends on several variables, from species to inborn immunity, to variable resistance. Finally, the mode of transport can be direct or indirect through the air with respiratory secretions, or by way of an intermediate objects, like a doorknob or a light switch.

The benefits of good hygienic practice go beyond a sense of professionalism. Massage therapists work with skin-to-skin contact, and the high risk of picking up an inadvertent infection, or of spreading one to another client. If Myrtle had the following information, she could improve her hygienic practices, and reduce the risk for harm to herself and her clients.

1. Disposable Bed sheets / Multi Roll By far the most recommended product on the market for ultimate hygiene replacing towels and linen will be best, also to protect linen and towels it can be

2. Laundry 1. Standard laundering has good antimicrobial effect with water temperatures between 22 C-25 C, if the detergent is used according to the directions.

2. If chlorine bleach is added to the wash, it becomes most active at temperatures above 62.7 C. 3. Laundry must not be left damp: mildew can begin growing within 24 hours.

4. Clean laundry should be wrapped in plastic, or stored in a clean, closed container.

3. Session Room 1. For cleaning high-touch surfaces the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a freshly mixed 10 percent bleach solution. Bleachinfused wipes can be useful in this application and some of them require at least 10 minutes of uninterrupted exposure to be effective.

2. Alcohol and alcohol-soaked towelettes are specifically not recommended for cleaning surfaces.

What is practical?

Disposable Bed sheets / Covers, by far the best method to stop cross contamination and protection of surfaces.

The hygienic practice guidelines provided here are drawn from recommendations by the CDC and other resources for health-care professionals.These recommendations may be more strict or stringent than many people find practical, but our job as professionals is to be more careful than is necessary.Taking care of our equipment, our working environment, and ourselves takes time, energy, and investment in good cleaners. But it can give us the good health and longevity to more effectively take care of our clients.

Distributors Wanted for the HDW Group HDW Group is looking to expand in to other areas. We are looking for Area Distributors and Casual Resellers of our products. Start your own business now , or add our products to your existing one.

We will gladly share our success story and help you to get started as well. Our products is Unique imported and manufactured by us , We cater for a huge industry and have a variety of products available. Contact us , we will send you information to read , and if you happy will have meeting to explain in more detail .

For more information contact: Phillip 062 890 5398 info@hygienedisposablewear.co.za www.hygienedisposablewear.co.za

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Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

HDW Group (PTY) LTD is the sole importer and manufacturer of Multi Cloth, Multi Roll.

Multi Roll is a 80cm wide x 100m disposable impermeable material on a roll that is used in the beauty and medical industry. The material is completely water and oil repellent and will protect your bed linen and towels from being soiled and stained. Huge savings can be expected on Laundry costs. We have a wide range of products available, disposable pillow cases, fitted sheets, pre-cut 2m and much more. Our product is unique and completely different to the rest. Contact us for free samples to test.

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spa business

Pricing your Spa Menu is Not So Complicated Pricing your Spa Menu and the services you provide is not as complicated as it may first appear. When you know the basic cost components (Therapist, Products, Laundry, Utilities) you have the basis to start from.

towels, face cradle cover and mattress protectors.

Even before Covid-19 protocols demanded it, most of these items were laundered after each treatment.

There is also the cost of washing linens used for showers or bath facilities, relaxation beds, and cloth slippers.

Therapist Utilities In pricing our spa menu, the biggest cost will almost always be that of the therapist performing the treatment. Calculate the cost of the therapist’s hourly wage and multiply this by the number of hours the treatment requires. Example: A $20 hourly wage rate for a 90-minute Thai Massage, equates to a direct cost allocation for the treatment of $30 – or 1.5 times the hourly rate.

Additional to this (and depending on how you operate your business), you have to add hidden costs. Is the therapist is responsible for the set-up or turn-around procedures, preparing a welcome drink, performing a pre-treatment consultation or offering post-treatment retail recommendations? These tasks all take time, so must be included in the total cost allocation, even if performed by a Spa Attendant or other team member.

Then you have the employee on-costs such as Social Security contributions paid by the employer, staff meals, and accommodation (if provided). It is important to factor all these into your hourly staff cost calculations.

Products Usually, the cost of products (oils, lotions, creams) used in spa treatments is quite low even if the unit purchase price is expensive as the quantities used per treatment are small. The exception to this is products used in facial treatments as regardless of the small area of the face, guests expect highperformance skincare – and that means a more expensive product. Also, there are multiple products used for a facial. For the body, it is generally a single product used. These costs must all be considered when pricing your spa menu Laundry & Linen Laundry and linen can be a major cost component of a spa treatment. The massage bed can often be set with multiple pieces of linen including sheets,

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Electricity and water are the main utility costs when it comes to providing a spa treatment. The good news for many hotel spa operators is that these costs are often not attributed directly to their P&L. If you are a third-party spa operator, the hotel may decide to put a separate meter on the spa so that they can charge you for utilities based on your usage.

In the allocation of utilities if the pool, steam, sauna and jacuzzi are considered part of the spa, these facilities are generally the bulk of utility costs – and frequently non revenue generating despite their operating costs.

Price is Relative Once you have a clear understanding of your costs, you now have the baseline for pricing your spa menu. Obviously, you need to ensure that your selling price is higher than your costs, but how much higher?

There is no definitive answer to this question, but there are some simple references to consider.

Hotel guests will compare the price of a spa treatment to the price of the hotel room. If they pay $200 for one night in the hotel, they might be willing to pay 50 – 60% of that for a one-hour massage, or up to 75% if the offering is truly unique.

Another gauge comparison is the price of a restaurant meal. If the restaurant charge is $40, you should be able to price a one hour massage at 100 – 200% above this price.

Other hotel activities such as a half-day excursion or an introductory diving lesson are also good reference points. Consciously or subconsciously hotel guests will make a comparison with these and a one hour massage with a one to one being the generally accepted pricing. Example: If an introductory dive is priced at $115, or a half-day excursion costs $100 that is the price the guest would pay for a one-hour treatment.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Value is in the Eye of the Perceiver Value, just like cost is personal. Something that is valuable to me may not be valuable to you. If I as the consumer believe something has value, then it does. It does not matter how many people have different value perceptions, mine is the only one that matters – to me.

Complimentary use of the steam, jacuzzi and sauna.

Additional Foot Ritual at no extra cost. Free skincare products with each treatment over $120. All of these are examples of a value-add, and some people will think they are great, while others will see little value there at all. Maybe we had better not think of this as value-add but rather as free.

The Discount Addiction People get addicted to discounts, but do not get addicted to ‘free’. If you get a 10% discount at the spa today, you will expect at least the same discount next time. If you get a free gift today, you will not expect to get a free gift every time you return.

So do not discount, offer something for free. But do not kid yourself that you are offering something of real value to the guest, unless it is.

Note: If what you are offering costs you to provide it, then that cost must be factored into the pricing.

If may be free to the guest, but somewhere someone has paid something for it.

The Price of Human Touch It is also worth noting that when pricing your spa menu treatments, we often charge more when there is a fancy machine involved. Whether it is a highly technical facial machine or just a high-tech massage bed with special features to enhance the treatment, it will cost more if we use a machine. But ironically, what guests often value the most, certainly in the case of a massage, is the touch of the therapist. No doubt when it comes to results-driven facial treatments, the technology matters, but spas need to re-evaluate where they place the premium when it comes to pricing, and consider placing it on the human touch.

This post is an abridged version of “How to Price your Spa Menu – A Simple Guide” by Trent Munday

spa trends Software is a tool that can be used for the most basic functions or employed with deeper purpose.

Here’s how technology can add a personal touch in your spa.

When it comes to talking about technology in the spa, wellness, and hospitality industries, a frequently expressed concern is that its use will remove the “personal touch” from the guest experience.

But technology doesn’t have to create distance. Its impact depends entirely on how it’s used.

Software, for example, is a tool. And, like any other tool, it can be used for the most basic functions or employed with deeper purpose. The most basic function of a shovel is to dig holes. A greater function may be planting trees to benefit natural resources, improve wildlife habitats and provide oxygen.

Similarly, software can just be used to book your appointments and track KPIs, or it can also be used to build meaningful relationships with your guests.

Here are four relationship building techniques and how software can help.

Listen Actively Software allows your team to log all of your guest information in one place and to access that information when needed. Centrally managed notes and document tracking help therapists build customer profiles and make personal connections. The note

How Technology can add a Personal Touch in your Spa 58

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

taking function allows you to keep track of more than just customer preferences and purchase history.

Never forget a conversation topic! If a guest mentions going on vacation, buying a house, or a sister giving birth, take down that information and your team members can later follow up on it during the next visit – “How was your trip to Cancun?” “How’s the house? Are you settled in?” “How is your sister’s baby?” – which demonstrates that you are paying attention. People enjoy feeling that someone is listening when they talk and paying attention to what they are saying.

Remember the little things Central guest profiling and automatic alerts give your staff quick access to all of your customer information, across multiple locations. Access purchase history, preferences, and more, collected at various points of contact. This makes it easy to personalize guest experience across all of your locations. Know your guests’ wants and needs before they even arrive at your spa, and greet them with something you know they will love. Keep notes of customers’ important dates, like birthdays and anniversaries, so you can acknowledge and celebrate these by offering special gifts. Again, it’s about demonstrating that you are paying attention.

This level of personalization makes people feel seen and appreciated. There may be no stronger relationship builder than making someone feel seen and appreciated.

Ask for feedback After a guest leaves a spa appointment, it’s a good idea to send out a customer satisfaction or NPS (net promoter score) survey and ask if they are happy with their experience. It’s said that most people who are dissatisfied with an experience with a company won’t complain, they just won’t come back. If you ask, however, they may be more likely to tell you. If you want to know whether a customer is happy or not, you have to ask. Send a customer satisfaction survey and find out. If the guest is happy, now may be a good time to ask for a review or a referral. If the guest is not happy, now is the time to find out why and see what you can do to change that, perhaps by offering an apology, a free service, a discount, or a gift, before the guest leaves a bad review online.

Stay in touch Now that you have gathered all that guest information, use it to stay in touch. You know when they last purchased a skincare product, so you can follow up two months later, when it would likely be about to run out, and ask if they would like to replenish. You know when their birthday and anniversary is; email a birthday greeting with a discount code or offer of a free gift or service. Stay in touch. That’s what friends do.

Technology can create distance or it can enhance relationships and bring people closer together. Which one it does is up to you.

spa trends Software is a tool that can be used for the most basic functions or employed with deeper purpose.

Here’s how technology can add a personal touch in your spa.

When it comes to talking about technology in the spa, wellness, and hospitality industries, a frequently expressed concern is that its use will remove the “personal touch” from the guest experience.

But technology doesn’t have to create distance. Its impact depends entirely on how it’s used.

Software, for example, is a tool. And, like any other tool, it can be used for the most basic functions or employed with deeper purpose. The most basic function of a shovel is to dig holes. A greater function may be planting trees to benefit natural resources, improve wildlife habitats and provide oxygen.

Similarly, software can just be used to book your appointments and track KPIs, or it can also be used to build meaningful relationships with your guests.

Here are four relationship building techniques and how software can help.

Listen Actively Software allows your team to log all of your guest information in one place and to access that information when needed. Centrally managed notes and document tracking help therapists build customer profiles and make personal connections. The note

How Technology can add a Personal Touch in your Spa 58

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

taking function allows you to keep track of more than just customer preferences and purchase history.

Never forget a conversation topic! If a guest mentions going on vacation, buying a house, or a sister giving birth, take down that information and your team members can later follow up on it during the next visit – “How was your trip to Cancun?” “How’s the house? Are you settled in?” “How is your sister’s baby?” – which demonstrates that you are paying attention. People enjoy feeling that someone is listening when they talk and paying attention to what they are saying.

Remember the little things Central guest profiling and automatic alerts give your staff quick access to all of your customer information, across multiple locations. Access purchase history, preferences, and more, collected at various points of contact. This makes it easy to personalize guest experience across all of your locations. Know your guests’ wants and needs before they even arrive at your spa, and greet them with something you know they will love. Keep notes of customers’ important dates, like birthdays and anniversaries, so you can acknowledge and celebrate these by offering special gifts. Again, it’s about demonstrating that you are paying attention.

This level of personalization makes people feel seen and appreciated. There may be no stronger relationship builder than making someone feel seen and appreciated.

Ask for feedback After a guest leaves a spa appointment, it’s a good idea to send out a customer satisfaction or NPS (net promoter score) survey and ask if they are happy with their experience. It’s said that most people who are dissatisfied with an experience with a company won’t complain, they just won’t come back. If you ask, however, they may be more likely to tell you. If you want to know whether a customer is happy or not, you have to ask. Send a customer satisfaction survey and find out. If the guest is happy, now may be a good time to ask for a review or a referral. If the guest is not happy, now is the time to find out why and see what you can do to change that, perhaps by offering an apology, a free service, a discount, or a gift, before the guest leaves a bad review online.

Stay in touch Now that you have gathered all that guest information, use it to stay in touch. You know when they last purchased a skincare product, so you can follow up two months later, when it would likely be about to run out, and ask if they would like to replenish. You know when their birthday and anniversary is; email a birthday greeting with a discount code or offer of a free gift or service. Stay in touch. That’s what friends do.

Technology can create distance or it can enhance relationships and bring people closer together. Which one it does is up to you.

spa business

5 Tech Trends Shaking up

By Emily Moxley, Marketing Manager, Book4Time the Spa Industry Let’s talk about technology in physical spa locations at luxury hotels and resorts around the world. Here are 5 trends shaking up the spa industry.

We hear a lot about the latest technology to hit varying industries; but, oftentimes, the spa industry is grouped under wellness and we specifically hear about wearable tech, robotics, touchless therapies etc. So, let’s get a little more specific. Let’s talk about technology within physical spa locations at luxury hotels and resorts around the world.

I’m of the opinion that technology will disrupt the status quo the industry has established today. The customer experience has remained untouched, but the expectation from our guests has changed. In turn, businesses (mainly spas) are adapting and evolving to change with them.

Here are five trends shaking up the spa industry Software as a Service (SaaS) SaaS platforms have entered the spa world in full force. It’s becoming rare to come across a luxury retreat or spa within well-known hotels and resorts that don’t have a platform in the cloud to operationalize business efficiencies. Spa owners, and directors are looking for something that will centralize their CRM, payment solutions, scheduling, booking and reporting in one place. Furthermore, there’s an appetite for software that has a number of integrations primarily with hotel reservation platforms like Opera or payment gateways to make their lives simpler.

60

Gone are the days of using multiple paper diaries to track appointments, guest names, and technician availability. Much like you’re turning to this article online vs. a printed copy in a delivered newspaper, the old paper method in life is becoming obsolete, let alone businesses. Forward-thinking directors and managers are shaping this change and building a sustainable future for their spas by implementing solutions that will allow them to grow and check the boxes mentioned above.

Business Intelligence (BI) We’ve all heard this word before and can often bucket it to just mean “fancy reporting”. However, when I mention BI, I’m talking about insight vs. data.

All spa directors, managers and owners will always have access to their data. However, the true advantage is having the means to analyze it and help make intelligent and informed business decisions.

For example, one may ask: Which one of my spas is performing the best in terms of number of couples treatments booked? Granted, you can probably tally up your appointment numbers and run a comparison in Excel, but when you manage multiple locations or are comparing multiple variables, there’s a dire need for business intelligence. The basic reporting features and functionality aren’t enough to truly realize how your business can thrive during an unforeseen situation (like the COVID-19 Pandemic). You can find ways of optimizing spend, technician utilization and more through the use of business intelligence.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Contactless Experiences We’ve all heard this before, but it’s important to hear it again and engrain in our minds as we think about technology disrupting the status quo. Having a contactless experience has quickly become a requirement for spa-goers. It’s not that people don’t want to have human interaction, it’s that people want to have the option not to. Guests are looking for something that allows them to use their mobile device from any location at any time of day to look at spa menus, book appointments, confirm reservations and more. Mobile devices are used for more than just calls and text messages. For the past decade, we’ve been turning to our mobile devices to book flights, hotels, restaurant reservations and essentially plan an entire trip experience. So, why should spa bookings be left out?

Although there are those that prefer calling into a location, 82% of travel bookings made in 2018 were made without any human interaction, via a mobile app or website. Online booking is just one element of the contactless experience that’s becoming increasingly necessary vs. a “nice to have”. A contactless experience also allows the guest to be in control of their visit. They’re able to browse freely at a digital menu, reserve a booking, guarantee a booking with a credit card saved on their device and ultimately, leave a review for your spa once they’re all done.

spa business

Have you ever met a person and instantly felt as if you have known them forever? This deep and immediate connection is often described as fate, destiny, or a meeting of kindred spirits. While it is difficult to truly define the experience with words, it is unmistakable when it happens.

These encounters seemingly defy logic, reason, and the very boundaries that govern our sophisticated social behaviour. As a result, we knowingly often deny ourselves of what our heart tells us is true. Do we ignore this primitive instinct because it appears to be illogical, or is it because we are afraid to trust, believe, or let down the walls that protect us, all based on a feeling? Risky as it seems, without recognizing that this instinct is real we cannot grow, evolve, or experience life as it was designed.

Internally, we know this to be true yet we function as if it does not exist.

Information Mining

Tear Down the Walls: Trust Your Instincts

By David Suzuki- President of Bio-Therapeutic, Inc.

Information mining is a staple in today's society.

Regardless of whether it is part of a hiring process, while making a purchase on line, or filling out an intake form at a physician's office, our information is perpetually being mined in one way or another to help assist us in making more appropriate decisions - or at least this is the rationale. At the end of the day, it is not all bad in that it works as a type of internal automated networking system that recognizes your patterns and connects you with other people, places, and things that seem likely to fit your profile.

While information mining does bring privacy in to question, it certainly makes “finding the needle in the haystack” a significantly more refined process and can greatly increase your rate of success as well as save you a significant amount of time achieving your unique objectives. When the dust settles however, it is still up to you to make the final decision; do you decide with logic and reason, or go with your gut instinct?

Professional Personality Tests The first occupational personality tests entered the American work force in the early 20's. By the 60's personality tests were used more often for this purpose than to determine a person's sanity in the world of psychiatry. Today, personality testing is an industry within itself and can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to carry out and interpret. The rationale is to pay it forward, in that avoiding a bad hire could easily save you tens of thousands of dollars and a mountain of time. This seems like a very logical and sensible approach, and the most

62

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

strategic way to make a sound decision based on facts rather than emotion. But is it effective?

In Malcolm Gladwell's book Blink, he explores this subject specifically and notes that more often than not your gut or “blink” instinct is more correct and more accurate for you than the most sophisticated tests available on the market today. He relates this to two philosophies. First, that more information is not always better. In fact more information can create a form of analysis paralysis, which simply means that the more data collected the more confusing and daunting the task of making a decision becomes. The second reason is because the data and the system suggests that you are not important or qualified as a decision maker, and as a result you subconsciously surrender your god given ability to make decisions. This in itself can be a very contentious tipping point, and has the potential to lead you to a place that you will not recognize, as it is no longer your vision, your business, or your life. The point being is that only you, know what is right for you.

It's About the Experience As a skin therapist it is our very instincts combined with science and data that we use to determine how to serve and satisfy each of our clients. In fact, many experts believe that success or lack thereof in the treatment room has everything to do with the person who is performing the service, rather than the product used or the type of facial that is being performed.

This is an interesting and profound notion, and answers many questions about the service industry as a whole. It is the reason why you can have the exact same business environment (clinic, customer base, service menu, etc.), intermix it with a different skin therapist, and achieve a completely different result. And by result, I am not referring to the client's actual service results, but rather their experience as it is their immediate response that leads to another booking, or not. Although it is difficult to discern and describe in words what one skin therapist may do so differently than the other, it is abundantly clear that an instinctual difference exists and that it is this difference that can take a business from being OK, to extra ordinary.

Trust Your Instincts So, what do you do? Make your life and business decisions based on what “feels” good at that moment regardless of how illogical it may seem, regardless of the factual data, and regardless of the consequences? Of course not. In the end good sound decision making must include all of the available facts and data, and most importantly, your intuitive instincts. This is the part that we fail to

recognize, respect and champion, and very well may be the most powerful tool that we possess as a human being. Every minute of every day we are processing data and making decisions. When we are interviewing a new team member, for example, we may be asking a basic rudimentary question, however, we are experiencing their body language, etiquette, demeanor and to a certain degree, their character. Whether we care to admit it or not, most of our final decisions in life are based on our experience opposed to the content of an answered question. These basic intuitive instincts exist in all of us, while at the same time it is up to each of us to recognize and trust our instincts, refine them, and allow them to lead us to where we belong - to our vision. As like the touch of our hands on the face, there will never be any test or technology that can duplicate this energy.

Trust Your Instincts The simple leap of faith of trusting your instincts will open up remarkable new pathways in terms of new vendors partners, new team members, new clients, and most importantly a fuller and more fulfilling life.

It allows you the freedom and confidence to believe, trust, and to truly, fully experience life. Trusting your instincts allow you to make expeditious decisions that you already know - are right for you. When this is realized, you will no longer need the walls, as their job is now done - you, are ready to live!

David Suzuki, President of Bio-Therapeutic, Inc., has been an active licensed member of the aesthetics industry for more than 18 years. He is an authority on technology and regulatory issues. Suzuki serves as an advisor to institutions and state boards, writes for numerous industry publications and journals and conducts educational seminars and classes.

spa business

Have you ever met a person and instantly felt as if you have known them forever? This deep and immediate connection is often described as fate, destiny, or a meeting of kindred spirits. While it is difficult to truly define the experience with words, it is unmistakable when it happens.

These encounters seemingly defy logic, reason, and the very boundaries that govern our sophisticated social behaviour. As a result, we knowingly often deny ourselves of what our heart tells us is true. Do we ignore this primitive instinct because it appears to be illogical, or is it because we are afraid to trust, believe, or let down the walls that protect us, all based on a feeling? Risky as it seems, without recognizing that this instinct is real we cannot grow, evolve, or experience life as it was designed.

Internally, we know this to be true yet we function as if it does not exist.

Information Mining

Tear Down the Walls: Trust Your Instincts

By David Suzuki- President of Bio-Therapeutic, Inc.

Information mining is a staple in today's society.

Regardless of whether it is part of a hiring process, while making a purchase on line, or filling out an intake form at a physician's office, our information is perpetually being mined in one way or another to help assist us in making more appropriate decisions - or at least this is the rationale. At the end of the day, it is not all bad in that it works as a type of internal automated networking system that recognizes your patterns and connects you with other people, places, and things that seem likely to fit your profile.

While information mining does bring privacy in to question, it certainly makes “finding the needle in the haystack” a significantly more refined process and can greatly increase your rate of success as well as save you a significant amount of time achieving your unique objectives. When the dust settles however, it is still up to you to make the final decision; do you decide with logic and reason, or go with your gut instinct?

Professional Personality Tests The first occupational personality tests entered the American work force in the early 20's. By the 60's personality tests were used more often for this purpose than to determine a person's sanity in the world of psychiatry. Today, personality testing is an industry within itself and can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to carry out and interpret. The rationale is to pay it forward, in that avoiding a bad hire could easily save you tens of thousands of dollars and a mountain of time. This seems like a very logical and sensible approach, and the most

62

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

strategic way to make a sound decision based on facts rather than emotion. But is it effective?

In Malcolm Gladwell's book Blink, he explores this subject specifically and notes that more often than not your gut or “blink” instinct is more correct and more accurate for you than the most sophisticated tests available on the market today. He relates this to two philosophies. First, that more information is not always better. In fact more information can create a form of analysis paralysis, which simply means that the more data collected the more confusing and daunting the task of making a decision becomes. The second reason is because the data and the system suggests that you are not important or qualified as a decision maker, and as a result you subconsciously surrender your god given ability to make decisions. This in itself can be a very contentious tipping point, and has the potential to lead you to a place that you will not recognize, as it is no longer your vision, your business, or your life. The point being is that only you, know what is right for you.

It's About the Experience As a skin therapist it is our very instincts combined with science and data that we use to determine how to serve and satisfy each of our clients. In fact, many experts believe that success or lack thereof in the treatment room has everything to do with the person who is performing the service, rather than the product used or the type of facial that is being performed.

This is an interesting and profound notion, and answers many questions about the service industry as a whole. It is the reason why you can have the exact same business environment (clinic, customer base, service menu, etc.), intermix it with a different skin therapist, and achieve a completely different result. And by result, I am not referring to the client's actual service results, but rather their experience as it is their immediate response that leads to another booking, or not. Although it is difficult to discern and describe in words what one skin therapist may do so differently than the other, it is abundantly clear that an instinctual difference exists and that it is this difference that can take a business from being OK, to extra ordinary.

Trust Your Instincts So, what do you do? Make your life and business decisions based on what “feels” good at that moment regardless of how illogical it may seem, regardless of the factual data, and regardless of the consequences? Of course not. In the end good sound decision making must include all of the available facts and data, and most importantly, your intuitive instincts. This is the part that we fail to

recognize, respect and champion, and very well may be the most powerful tool that we possess as a human being. Every minute of every day we are processing data and making decisions. When we are interviewing a new team member, for example, we may be asking a basic rudimentary question, however, we are experiencing their body language, etiquette, demeanor and to a certain degree, their character. Whether we care to admit it or not, most of our final decisions in life are based on our experience opposed to the content of an answered question. These basic intuitive instincts exist in all of us, while at the same time it is up to each of us to recognize and trust our instincts, refine them, and allow them to lead us to where we belong - to our vision. As like the touch of our hands on the face, there will never be any test or technology that can duplicate this energy.

Trust Your Instincts The simple leap of faith of trusting your instincts will open up remarkable new pathways in terms of new vendors partners, new team members, new clients, and most importantly a fuller and more fulfilling life.

It allows you the freedom and confidence to believe, trust, and to truly, fully experience life. Trusting your instincts allow you to make expeditious decisions that you already know - are right for you. When this is realized, you will no longer need the walls, as their job is now done - you, are ready to live!

David Suzuki, President of Bio-Therapeutic, Inc., has been an active licensed member of the aesthetics industry for more than 18 years. He is an authority on technology and regulatory issues. Suzuki serves as an advisor to institutions and state boards, writes for numerous industry publications and journals and conducts educational seminars and classes.

spa business [Doc: La Bastide de Gordes Spa]

Overchoice Reversed When Choosing For Others

2. Cast your net small and decide your limit on where you'll shop/search/compare.

Choice overload is reversed when people choose for another person - overload is context dependent: choosing from many alternatives by itself is not demotivating. Evidence shows there is a different regulatory focus in decisionmaking when choosing for others.

If you're buying insurance, choose one or two comparison websites at the most. If you're finding a new gym, pick three in the locality to look at and leave it at that.

When making personal decisions, a prevention focus is activated and people are more satisfied with their choices after choosing among few options compared to many options, i.e. choice overload. However, individuals experience a reverse choice overload effect when acting as proxy decision-makers.

Over Choice In An Economic Setting The psychological phenomenon of over choice can most often be seen in economic situations. Having more choices appears to be appealing initially, but too many choices can make decisions more difficult. Having too many choices can result in consumer's being indecisive, unhappy, and even refrain from making the purchase at all.

Alvin Toffler noted that as the choice turns to over choice, "freedom of more c hoices" ironically becomes t he opposite-t he "unfreedom".

Existence of over choice, both perceived and real, is supported by studies as early as the mid-1970s. Numbers of various brands, from soaps to cars, have been steadily rising for over half a century. In just one example-different brands of soap and detergents-the numbers of choices offered by an average US supermarket went from 65 in 1950, through 200 in 1963, to over 360 in 2004. The more choices tend to increase the time it requires to make a decision.

Studies have shown that a multitude of options, such as in the case of a spa menu, can lead to choice overload, reducing decision quality. Having more choices is generally considered a good thing-until you actually have to put it into practice.

Researchers say that's when the frustration of picking one thing from dozens of options can take over and lead to choice overload.

Why too much choice is stressing us out

By Sarene Kloren, Les Nouvelles Esthetiques SA

“Standard economic theory will tell you that more choice is always better,” says Tibor Besedes, associate professor of economics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “Theoretically, that works out, but when you have to apply it, that's very different. When you give people a lot of options, they can get bogged down and, at some level, become unwilling to consider anything because it just gets too complicated.”

Professor of social theory Barry Schwartz in his book The Paradox of Choice, believes, “If we're rational, added options can only make us better off as a society. This view is logically compelling, but empirically it isn't true.”

Consider jeans. Once there was only one kind, says Schwartz - the ill-fitting sort that, fingers-crossed, would get less ill-fitting once he wore and washed them repeatedly. Now, what with all the options (stone-washed, straight-leg, boot-fit, distressed, zip fly, button fly, slightly distressed, very distressed, kneeholed, thigh-holed, knee and thigh-holed, pretty much all holes and negligible denim), Schwartz feels entitled to expect that there is a perfect pair of jeans for him. Inevitably, though, when he leaves the store, he is likely to be less satisfied now than when there were hardly any options.

64

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Schwartz's suggestion is that, at a certain point, choice shifts from having a positive relationship with happiness to an inverse one. So, what's the answer?

“The secret to happiness is low expectations,” he says, sensibly.

Psychological Implications Decision-makers in large choice situations enjoy the decision process more than those with smaller choice sets, but feel more responsible for their decisions.

Despite this, more choices result with more dissatisfaction and regret in decisions.

The chooser can feel both enjoyment as well as feel overwhelmed with their choices. These opposing emotions contribute to cognitive dissonance, and causes the chooser to feel less motivated to make a decision.

The amount of time allocated to make a decision also has an effect on an individual's perception of their choice. Larger choice sets with a small amount of time results in more regret with the decision. When more time is provided, the process of choosing is more enjoyable and results in less regret after the decision has been made.

What Helps You Deal With Choice Overload?

Tesco CEO Dave Lewis decided to scrap 30,000 of the 90,000 products from Tesco's shelves. This was, in part, a response to the growing market shares of Aldi and Lidl, which only offer between 2,000 and 3,000 lines. For instance, Tesco used to offer 28 tomato ketchups while in Aldi there is just one in one size.

What Lewis is doing to Tesco is revolutionary. Not just because he recognises that customers are time constrained, but because he realises that increased choice can be bad for you and, worse, result in business losses that upset his shareholders.

Sticking With A First Choice: Many people tend to avoid making new decisions by sticking with their first choice-even when offered potentially better options.

The phenomenon of over choice occurs when many equivalent choices are available. Making a decision becomes overwhelming due to the many potential outcomes and risks that may result from making the wrong choice.

Having too many equally good options is mentally draining because each option must be weighed against alternatives to select the best one.

Many reasons for the increased options can be attributed to the Internet. In today's society we have easy access to more information, products and opportunities.

Choice overload is not a problem in all cases. When the choice-maker has a preference, the amount of options has little impact on the final decision and satisfaction.

Tips to Limit Choice and Reduce Your Stress 1. Ask what you'll really achieve if you keep your options as open as possible.

By doing this, you can see that the time and stress invested to keep a wide range of choice is not likely to outweigh the benefit of possibly saving a few rands.

3. Unless your budget is extremely tight and every penny counts, stop worr ying about saving just a small amount of money.

It's rarely going to be that much, or worth the stress you cause yourself in order to save it.

4. Once you've made your decision, stick with it.

Don't allow yourself a “safety net” of being able to take it back or swap just because you've changed your mind. Know that this is the right choice for you, right now.

5. Let the other “choices” go.

Whether it was a new sofa or an outfit, don't dwell on how wonderful the things you didn't choose might have been. And don't regret not choosing them.

6. Ask: do you really need it anyway?

If you already own several pairs of shoes, how will another pair affect your happiness? Focus on what adds meaning to your life, rather than material gain.

7. Trust yourself.

You know what you really need, and what is right for you. Be happy with your choice when you've made it, and know that the world will not explode if, by the slightest chance, this was the wrong choice.

spa business [Doc: La Bastide de Gordes Spa]

Overchoice Reversed When Choosing For Others

2. Cast your net small and decide your limit on where you'll shop/search/compare.

Choice overload is reversed when people choose for another person - overload is context dependent: choosing from many alternatives by itself is not demotivating. Evidence shows there is a different regulatory focus in decisionmaking when choosing for others.

If you're buying insurance, choose one or two comparison websites at the most. If you're finding a new gym, pick three in the locality to look at and leave it at that.

When making personal decisions, a prevention focus is activated and people are more satisfied with their choices after choosing among few options compared to many options, i.e. choice overload. However, individuals experience a reverse choice overload effect when acting as proxy decision-makers.

Over Choice In An Economic Setting The psychological phenomenon of over choice can most often be seen in economic situations. Having more choices appears to be appealing initially, but too many choices can make decisions more difficult. Having too many choices can result in consumer's being indecisive, unhappy, and even refrain from making the purchase at all.

Alvin Toffler noted that as the choice turns to over choice, "freedom of more c hoices" ironically becomes t he opposite-t he "unfreedom".

Existence of over choice, both perceived and real, is supported by studies as early as the mid-1970s. Numbers of various brands, from soaps to cars, have been steadily rising for over half a century. In just one example-different brands of soap and detergents-the numbers of choices offered by an average US supermarket went from 65 in 1950, through 200 in 1963, to over 360 in 2004. The more choices tend to increase the time it requires to make a decision.

Studies have shown that a multitude of options, such as in the case of a spa menu, can lead to choice overload, reducing decision quality. Having more choices is generally considered a good thing-until you actually have to put it into practice.

Researchers say that's when the frustration of picking one thing from dozens of options can take over and lead to choice overload.

Why too much choice is stressing us out

By Sarene Kloren, Les Nouvelles Esthetiques SA

“Standard economic theory will tell you that more choice is always better,” says Tibor Besedes, associate professor of economics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “Theoretically, that works out, but when you have to apply it, that's very different. When you give people a lot of options, they can get bogged down and, at some level, become unwilling to consider anything because it just gets too complicated.”

Professor of social theory Barry Schwartz in his book The Paradox of Choice, believes, “If we're rational, added options can only make us better off as a society. This view is logically compelling, but empirically it isn't true.”

Consider jeans. Once there was only one kind, says Schwartz - the ill-fitting sort that, fingers-crossed, would get less ill-fitting once he wore and washed them repeatedly. Now, what with all the options (stone-washed, straight-leg, boot-fit, distressed, zip fly, button fly, slightly distressed, very distressed, kneeholed, thigh-holed, knee and thigh-holed, pretty much all holes and negligible denim), Schwartz feels entitled to expect that there is a perfect pair of jeans for him. Inevitably, though, when he leaves the store, he is likely to be less satisfied now than when there were hardly any options.

64

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Schwartz's suggestion is that, at a certain point, choice shifts from having a positive relationship with happiness to an inverse one. So, what's the answer?

“The secret to happiness is low expectations,” he says, sensibly.

Psychological Implications Decision-makers in large choice situations enjoy the decision process more than those with smaller choice sets, but feel more responsible for their decisions.

Despite this, more choices result with more dissatisfaction and regret in decisions.

The chooser can feel both enjoyment as well as feel overwhelmed with their choices. These opposing emotions contribute to cognitive dissonance, and causes the chooser to feel less motivated to make a decision.

The amount of time allocated to make a decision also has an effect on an individual's perception of their choice. Larger choice sets with a small amount of time results in more regret with the decision. When more time is provided, the process of choosing is more enjoyable and results in less regret after the decision has been made.

What Helps You Deal With Choice Overload?

Tesco CEO Dave Lewis decided to scrap 30,000 of the 90,000 products from Tesco's shelves. This was, in part, a response to the growing market shares of Aldi and Lidl, which only offer between 2,000 and 3,000 lines. For instance, Tesco used to offer 28 tomato ketchups while in Aldi there is just one in one size.

What Lewis is doing to Tesco is revolutionary. Not just because he recognises that customers are time constrained, but because he realises that increased choice can be bad for you and, worse, result in business losses that upset his shareholders.

Sticking With A First Choice: Many people tend to avoid making new decisions by sticking with their first choice-even when offered potentially better options.

The phenomenon of over choice occurs when many equivalent choices are available. Making a decision becomes overwhelming due to the many potential outcomes and risks that may result from making the wrong choice.

Having too many equally good options is mentally draining because each option must be weighed against alternatives to select the best one.

Many reasons for the increased options can be attributed to the Internet. In today's society we have easy access to more information, products and opportunities.

Choice overload is not a problem in all cases. When the choice-maker has a preference, the amount of options has little impact on the final decision and satisfaction.

Tips to Limit Choice and Reduce Your Stress 1. Ask what you'll really achieve if you keep your options as open as possible.

By doing this, you can see that the time and stress invested to keep a wide range of choice is not likely to outweigh the benefit of possibly saving a few rands.

3. Unless your budget is extremely tight and every penny counts, stop worr ying about saving just a small amount of money.

It's rarely going to be that much, or worth the stress you cause yourself in order to save it.

4. Once you've made your decision, stick with it.

Don't allow yourself a “safety net” of being able to take it back or swap just because you've changed your mind. Know that this is the right choice for you, right now.

5. Let the other “choices” go.

Whether it was a new sofa or an outfit, don't dwell on how wonderful the things you didn't choose might have been. And don't regret not choosing them.

6. Ask: do you really need it anyway?

If you already own several pairs of shoes, how will another pair affect your happiness? Focus on what adds meaning to your life, rather than material gain.

7. Trust yourself.

You know what you really need, and what is right for you. Be happy with your choice when you've made it, and know that the world will not explode if, by the slightest chance, this was the wrong choice.

spa business Personalizing the Guest Experience is Easy

How Spa Management Software

By Spa Executive Technology Makes Your Life Easier

Centrally managed notes, guest profiling, and automatic alerts allow you to log all of your guest information, build customer profiles, and give your staff quick access to that information, across multiple locations. This makes it easy to personalize guest experience, no matter which of your spas they’re visiting.

Build relationships and make emotional connections.

Be ready before the guest arrives at your spa.

Access purchase history, preferences, and more, collected across multiple points of contact. Keep notes of customers’ important dates, like birthdays and anniversaries, and records of conversation topics, so staff and therapists can pick up where they left off and ask about that recent trip to Europe or family member’s graduation.

This level of personalization makes people feel seen and appreciated and there is no stronger relationship builder than making someone feel seen and appreciated.

Justifying your Needs is Easy Hotel and resort spa directors may have to go through several layers of approval before being able to upgrade or make any changes. Spa and wellness has traditionally had a difficult time justifying costs and is often regarded as an afterthought.

Stakeholders want to see that their investment will

If you’re managing a spa, you’re pulled in a millions different directions at once. Spa management software can make your life a lot easier.

Running a spa means juggling a lot to keep things running smoothly. There’s so much to do, from booking appointments and looking after guests, to managing and supporting your staff, day-to-day administration, tracking KPIs, and keeping stakeholders happy – often while understaffed.

There are ways to make this life easier with spa management software.

Software is an incredible tool that can help you streamline operations, track data, understand your business operations, take care of admin work, maintain guest relationships, and more.

Here’s how spa management software makes your life easier.

Integrations are Easy with Spa Management Software If you’re using other systems, like a property management system, point of sale system, or access control system, you want to integrate all your systems for a seamless guest experience, to save time, and to make everything more efficient. In software, an integration is where two solutions exchange data.

Say Company A is a retail POS solution and Company B is an eCommerce solution. A retail business that uses Company A’s solution for instore purchases and Company B’s solution for online purchases without an integration has to manually

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track stock levels every time a sale is made online or in store, to ensure they don’t sell something they don’t have. This is a tedious and time-consuming task that leaves plenty of room for error.

An integration allows Company B to share transaction information with Company A and vice versa, and inventory levels are adjusted automatically. Easy.

This is just one example of how software integrations make life easy. Integrations allow businesses to save time, improve customer experience, run smoothly and do things they would never be able to do otherwise.

Understanding your Business Operations is Easy A comprehensive reporting suite is the key to understanding what’s happening in your business, so you can see what’s working and what isn’t, optimize operations and set realistic projections for the future based on real-time data.

Tracking your KPIs manually is a time-consuming nightmare and there is no excuse for doing it anymore.

Data is king and you must be able to access and understand your own data if you want to be competitive in today’s market. Real-time intelligence and dashboards provide you with reports on occupancy, operational efficiency, sales performance, and other KPIs (service specific reports, for example, allow you to conduct analyses of the success/failure of special promotions) and are easy to export to Excel. All of this puts the power to improve your business into your own hands.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Administrative Tasks are Easy The right software takes care of administrative tasks so that you can focus on the guest experience. For example, you can save hours of time with automated end-of-day reports and financial summaries, and calculation of pay rates and commissions earned on products and services sold. The information you need is easily extracted, making payroll the information you need to run payroll.

Shane Bird, Director of Spa Operations at Turning Stone Resort Casino told us that using Book4Time’s booking and payment systems allowed Turning Stone to reduce time spent on payroll from 6-7 hours a week to about 15 minutes. This is a 95% reduction in time spent or 350 hours saved per year.

Bird also said, “It was taking another 5-6 hours every day for someone in finance to sit and audit the transactions. Book4Time has eliminated all of that.

We estimate that our time spent on administrative tasks overall was reduced by about 92%, which is monstrous.”

Software will also automatically track loyalty points and update balances on customer accounts. It easily integrates with a hotel PMS, processes room charges in real-time, and can transfer all spa revenue to your hotel system. Plus, inventory management is a breeze when you can centrally track and view balances across all of your locations in real time with a central, cloud-based online tool. Track purchase order progress in real time over the cloud, automatically update on-hand counts, easily record received products, and more.

be returned, which is hard to demonstrate without evidence of past success. Comprehensive reporting dashboards are the answer. With these, it’s easy to pull up the numbers to show exactly how well your spa is doing, how it could be doing better, and exactly what you need to make that happen.

The proof is at your fingertips.

Daisy Tepper, Spa Director at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, a Forbes Five Star hotel and spa, is a great example. She used Book4Time’s reports to justify the cost of a new treatment room.

She said, “The treatment room utilization shows us how much money our rooms are pulling in and what we can do better regarding occupancy. This report actually allowed me to justify the cost of a new treatment room for the spa. The owner of the Post Oak is all about performance and he needs to see justification before he can decide if he’s going to expand the spa and how. I ran the report and he could immediately see the benefit, so he gave me the money to build another one. I’m happy to report that we’re getting a beautiful new couples suite with a fireplace!”

Are you Ready to Make your Life Easier?

There are a number of different spa management software solutions on the market. One of the top platforms for hotels and spas today is Book4Time, which offers more than 200 reports and has the widest scope of integrations in the industry. There are many things our customers love about our

software, but we think the one thing we hear most often is that they love how easy it is to use.

Daisy Tepper, who we mentioned above, Spa Director at the Post Oak Hotel, said, “When you hire someone, the easier the system is for them to learn, the better for us. [Book4Time is] very userfriendly. That’s what I was looking for, and that’s what I got.”

Vivian Villamizar, Spa Director at The Palms AVEDA Spa, Miami Beach, also told Spa Executive that Book4Time is “very user friendly.” She said, “I have therapists who didn’t even dare to use our system before, They now feel very confident about using the software system.”

And Jane Fellows, Spa Manager at The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, said, “I think the thing that I hear from most of the team is that they like the ease of actually reading the diary and the interface itself. If you’ve got a busy day, it’s easy to look at the screen and you can see the provider, the guest, the treatment, the room that will be used. It’s very straightforward.

They don’t have to dig into anything to find any information.

“It’s very simple and easy to read. I run a report and it’s got what I need.”

spa business Personalizing the Guest Experience is Easy

How Spa Management Software

By Spa Executive Technology Makes Your Life Easier

Centrally managed notes, guest profiling, and automatic alerts allow you to log all of your guest information, build customer profiles, and give your staff quick access to that information, across multiple locations. This makes it easy to personalize guest experience, no matter which of your spas they’re visiting.

Build relationships and make emotional connections.

Be ready before the guest arrives at your spa.

Access purchase history, preferences, and more, collected across multiple points of contact. Keep notes of customers’ important dates, like birthdays and anniversaries, and records of conversation topics, so staff and therapists can pick up where they left off and ask about that recent trip to Europe or family member’s graduation.

This level of personalization makes people feel seen and appreciated and there is no stronger relationship builder than making someone feel seen and appreciated.

Justifying your Needs is Easy Hotel and resort spa directors may have to go through several layers of approval before being able to upgrade or make any changes. Spa and wellness has traditionally had a difficult time justifying costs and is often regarded as an afterthought.

Stakeholders want to see that their investment will

If you’re managing a spa, you’re pulled in a millions different directions at once. Spa management software can make your life a lot easier.

Running a spa means juggling a lot to keep things running smoothly. There’s so much to do, from booking appointments and looking after guests, to managing and supporting your staff, day-to-day administration, tracking KPIs, and keeping stakeholders happy – often while understaffed.

There are ways to make this life easier with spa management software.

Software is an incredible tool that can help you streamline operations, track data, understand your business operations, take care of admin work, maintain guest relationships, and more.

Here’s how spa management software makes your life easier.

Integrations are Easy with Spa Management Software If you’re using other systems, like a property management system, point of sale system, or access control system, you want to integrate all your systems for a seamless guest experience, to save time, and to make everything more efficient. In software, an integration is where two solutions exchange data.

Say Company A is a retail POS solution and Company B is an eCommerce solution. A retail business that uses Company A’s solution for instore purchases and Company B’s solution for online purchases without an integration has to manually

66

track stock levels every time a sale is made online or in store, to ensure they don’t sell something they don’t have. This is a tedious and time-consuming task that leaves plenty of room for error.

An integration allows Company B to share transaction information with Company A and vice versa, and inventory levels are adjusted automatically. Easy.

This is just one example of how software integrations make life easy. Integrations allow businesses to save time, improve customer experience, run smoothly and do things they would never be able to do otherwise.

Understanding your Business Operations is Easy A comprehensive reporting suite is the key to understanding what’s happening in your business, so you can see what’s working and what isn’t, optimize operations and set realistic projections for the future based on real-time data.

Tracking your KPIs manually is a time-consuming nightmare and there is no excuse for doing it anymore.

Data is king and you must be able to access and understand your own data if you want to be competitive in today’s market. Real-time intelligence and dashboards provide you with reports on occupancy, operational efficiency, sales performance, and other KPIs (service specific reports, for example, allow you to conduct analyses of the success/failure of special promotions) and are easy to export to Excel. All of this puts the power to improve your business into your own hands.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

Administrative Tasks are Easy The right software takes care of administrative tasks so that you can focus on the guest experience. For example, you can save hours of time with automated end-of-day reports and financial summaries, and calculation of pay rates and commissions earned on products and services sold. The information you need is easily extracted, making payroll the information you need to run payroll.

Shane Bird, Director of Spa Operations at Turning Stone Resort Casino told us that using Book4Time’s booking and payment systems allowed Turning Stone to reduce time spent on payroll from 6-7 hours a week to about 15 minutes. This is a 95% reduction in time spent or 350 hours saved per year.

Bird also said, “It was taking another 5-6 hours every day for someone in finance to sit and audit the transactions. Book4Time has eliminated all of that.

We estimate that our time spent on administrative tasks overall was reduced by about 92%, which is monstrous.”

Software will also automatically track loyalty points and update balances on customer accounts. It easily integrates with a hotel PMS, processes room charges in real-time, and can transfer all spa revenue to your hotel system. Plus, inventory management is a breeze when you can centrally track and view balances across all of your locations in real time with a central, cloud-based online tool. Track purchase order progress in real time over the cloud, automatically update on-hand counts, easily record received products, and more.

be returned, which is hard to demonstrate without evidence of past success. Comprehensive reporting dashboards are the answer. With these, it’s easy to pull up the numbers to show exactly how well your spa is doing, how it could be doing better, and exactly what you need to make that happen.

The proof is at your fingertips.

Daisy Tepper, Spa Director at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, a Forbes Five Star hotel and spa, is a great example. She used Book4Time’s reports to justify the cost of a new treatment room.

She said, “The treatment room utilization shows us how much money our rooms are pulling in and what we can do better regarding occupancy. This report actually allowed me to justify the cost of a new treatment room for the spa. The owner of the Post Oak is all about performance and he needs to see justification before he can decide if he’s going to expand the spa and how. I ran the report and he could immediately see the benefit, so he gave me the money to build another one. I’m happy to report that we’re getting a beautiful new couples suite with a fireplace!”

Are you Ready to Make your Life Easier?

There are a number of different spa management software solutions on the market. One of the top platforms for hotels and spas today is Book4Time, which offers more than 200 reports and has the widest scope of integrations in the industry. There are many things our customers love about our

software, but we think the one thing we hear most often is that they love how easy it is to use.

Daisy Tepper, who we mentioned above, Spa Director at the Post Oak Hotel, said, “When you hire someone, the easier the system is for them to learn, the better for us. [Book4Time is] very userfriendly. That’s what I was looking for, and that’s what I got.”

Vivian Villamizar, Spa Director at The Palms AVEDA Spa, Miami Beach, also told Spa Executive that Book4Time is “very user friendly.” She said, “I have therapists who didn’t even dare to use our system before, They now feel very confident about using the software system.”

And Jane Fellows, Spa Manager at The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, said, “I think the thing that I hear from most of the team is that they like the ease of actually reading the diary and the interface itself. If you’ve got a busy day, it’s easy to look at the screen and you can see the provider, the guest, the treatment, the room that will be used. It’s very straightforward.

They don’t have to dig into anything to find any information.

“It’s very simple and easy to read. I run a report and it’s got what I need.”

spa lifestyle [Doc: La Thalasso Serge Blanco]

Top Six Travel Spa Trends

By Global Wellness Summit

The Global Wellness Summit, offered a much broader wellness focus than when it first launched in 2007 as the Global Spa Summit. But the spa industry continues to be a vital part of the wide spectrum of wellness businesses in the annual event.

When Travel Market Report asked a few attendees to weigh in on new developments we might see in 2021 and beyond, they suggested the following:

1. Spas Meet Medicine Andrew Gibson, vice president of spa and wellness for FRHI Hotels and Resorts (Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissotel), foresees the continuing convergence of spas and hotels with the medical world.

“The realms of medical wellness and medi spas are already immensely popular in many parts of the world,” he said. “Many private hospitals are already delivering five-star customer service, and there will soon be more medical hotels where patients become guests. There will not only be inpatient facilities for guests (i.e., patients) but floors for family and friends to stay. Once this happens, the facilities will match those of any quality hotel, with superb F&B and spa facilities.”

2. A Global Chain Of Destination Spas With more than 30 years of international spa and hospitality experience to his credit, Gibson predicted that a global chain of destination spas will be launched in the near future.

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At present, he said, “destination spas rely on the passion of an individual or couple to create the retreat and build up from this passion. There is now enough knowledge and public awareness of wellness retreats to make it conceivable to create a global destination spa group.”

3. Innovative Tech Treatments Technology will, of course, become a prevailing feature in the spas of the future. “Technology will begin to feature heavily in the guest experience, from the design of the spa to the check-in and guest history process, to the use of machines in treatments,” Gibson said.

Kim Matheson, senior vice president of Rockville, MD-based WTS International, consultants to spa, fitness, and hospitality facilities around the world, agreed. “We'll see technology not only in the guest journey itself, but also the use of innovative technology in treatments and to offer such alternative modalities as chromotherapy,” she said.

4. Wellness Communities Matheson also sees the growth of spas at the center of new wellness communities. As evidenced by new global developments, residential communities are embracing spa and well-being services as a point of dif ferentiation. “These lifestyle-based communities/developments have enjoyed a positive and discernable impact, with a significant increase in value in comparison to other comparable properties,” she said.

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques no’82

She cites the example of a hotel and residential wellness community she is working with in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which is developing several wellness-based communities. The first, opening soon, will feature a wellness center with spa, fitness, wellness, and beauty services-all scientifically supported to yield measurable results. Which, she says, is another growing trend.

5. Putting The Science In The Spa Experience Matheson predicts that spa menus will include more scientifically proven treatments with measurable results.

Josh Luckow, executive director of health and healing at Canyon Ranch, also sees “recent scientific advancements reinforcing the benefits of integrative and preventive medicine.”

Guests "are leveraging our health practitioners to explore the value of epigenetics, brain fitness, and the microbiome,” he said, and being “much more careful about what they are ingesting and inhaling, as well as about the ingredients they are putting on their skin.”

6. Giving Back Luckow also has seen a big focus in the health and wellness industry on giving back/charity over the past few years. He predicts this way of promoting inner well-being also will continue.