Can't Get to the Spa? Create Your Own Spa Night!

Getting to the spa can be a costly adventure but we all deserve to wind down.  What if you could have the perks of the spa at home?  After all, whether it's work or family, your days and weeks can become exhausting and it's good to reward yourself with relaxation and rejuvenation.   



Why?

For one thing, STRESS.  We all know the word and feelings that come with it very well.  Stress not only tenses the muscles in the body but is also believed to be connected to other health issues such as higher blood pressure, headaches and ulcers.

Treat your body well no matter your finances or schedule.  I want to share with you some simple ways to relax and create your own spa night in the comfort of your own home.

Pumice your Feet
These are great and easy to find at any local store with shower or beauty supplies in the bath or body section and cost under 3 dollars!   Use these to gently scrub dead skin off of calloused and dry places, paying close care not to over scrub or damage the skin.  This will exfoliate unnecessary discomfort and build up from your skin, allowing new skin to come through in a healthy and glowing way. 

Walk in an Ice Bath
This is a common European and Asian tradition for bettering your circulation and general relaxation.  If you are doing this at home, I recommend getting a tub of cold water and ice and placing it either on the bathroom floor or just outside the bathroom.  Stand or sit with your water in the tub while moving your toes and feet in opposing motions for  just a few moments.  Then... 

Create a Steam Room
Once you've used your makeshift ice bath, enjoy some heat.  Either jump into a steaming shower or fill up your tub (before the ice bath)  with some hot water.   Enhance the experience with some eucalyptus shower spray.  It will not only smell nice but further relax your muscles, expand your breathing passages and attack unwanted viruses and bacteria. 

Stretch
Don't underestimate the power of deep and gentle stretching.  Allow the renewed circulation and heat of the water to pour into your muscles to aid in their relaxation and healing.  Roll your neck from side to side, roll your shoulders and do some gentle twists to really get deep into the tension and let it out. 

Breathe Deeply
Don't forget to breathe.  It's the oxygen coming into the brain and the muscles that causes the rest of the body to relax and heal.   So when you breathe, breathe deeply.  If you are lucky enough to have the Eucalyptus oil in the air, breathe that much more deeply and be a blessing to your lungs, heart and stress level. 

Your body goes through so much environmental, physical and emotional stress each day.  At Eurospa, we believe that the body needs to be nurtured through this to experience good health and positive life quality.  

Do your best and be gentle with yourself.  Life is a gift.  Live it well. 




by: Navae Fiona

Feeling Stressed? Fast and Affordable Tips for Stress Relief At Home Or On the Go!

Stress is a hot topic everywhere whether you are male or female and so often it has to do with our busy lives and family dynamic.   But how do you relieve that stress when you feel there's just no time to handle it?   It's time we talk about the simple and affordable tips to relieve stress quickly at home and on the go. 

Let's talk about the men first.  We know you guys.  You are a hard working crowd with a lot of pressure on your shoulders.  And whether you are the game watching or fine dining type, you have the right to experience the relaxing fruit of your labor!  

And Ladies?  We know you too.  Whether you are a mother at home, working hard at your career or the busiest of the two worlds: BOTH, we invite you to take the time here and there to reward yourself for your thorough dedication to your many responsibilities!

I know we all have heard of the dangers stress brings to our lives, but I do want to touch base on a few major points (before I go into the fixes) so that we remember to take it seriously and take charge of the stress relief we so greatly deserve.  

So what is stress? It's simply a fact of nature.  Forces from the inside or outside world affect people in various ways and the individual responds to stress in ways that affect both themselves and their environment as well. Due to the overabundance of stress in our modern lives, we tend to think of stress as a negative experience, but from a biological point of view, stress can be a neutral, negative, or positive experience.  In general, stress is related to both the external and internal factors. External factors include the physical environment, such as your job, relationships with others, your home and all the situations, challenges, and expectations you have to deal with on a daily basis. Internal factors determine how your body responds to and deals with the external stress-inducing factors. The internal factors that influence your ability to handle all that stress include your nutritional state, overall health and  fitness levels, emotional well-being, and the amount of sleep and rest you get. 

Now that that's clear,  let's talk about some simple ways to deal with it all!

• Move Your Body:   Pretty clear, don't you think?  When we move our bodies via running, dancing, yoga, weight training, cycling and other forms of movement, we release dopamine (a happy hormone) and get rid of cortisol (the stress hormone that wreaks havoc).  Our heart rate increases and our whole bodies get into a groove of joy and excitement.
• Eat Well, Live Well:  Just a few simple rules here.  Stay away from white foods as much as you can.  This includes white breads, pastas, rice and sugar. These cause peaks and lows with our blood sugar, contributing to mood swings and feelings of anxiety.  Make sure your food includes veggies and fruits in a variety of color (extra greens if you can) and that you are adequately hydrated.  DRINK WATER.  You may be surprised at how much that single tip helps! 
• Breathe Deep:  Annoying people and frustrating circumstances are all around us and this is the most easy tip yet the hardest to remember.  Breathe in through your nose slowly and deeply, pausing at the peak of inhalation.  This activates the back of your brain, causing a slower and calmer reaction time.  
• Relax:  This is, of course the most enjoyable tip.  What relaxes you?  Whether it's a massage or a slow walk in the park, you can determine what you will enjoy.  I know for me, my favorite two things are to sit in a hot tub or sauna or to sit in the sunshine with a book. 
• Gratitude:  Be thankful.  Yes, times can be hard.  I'm not at all saying it's easy.  We can recognize the pain, feel it and then take a deep breathe and really be thankful for the beauty that *is* in our lives - the things that are working, the people that do love us and the health we are experiencing. 
• Laugh:  Enjoy your laughter! Talk to an old friend and think back on old times.  Recall stories that make you smile. Play with children.  Invite friends over for charades!  Watch a comedy.  Laughter is healing.  Don't underestimate it's power. 
• Sleep:  Here's the most medicinal one.  We tend to slack on sleep because our work and family load can keep us busy until midnight.  Then we wake to being our recurring routine at 6 am the following morning and then wonder why we are burnt out.   Many medical studies agree that we need to turn off all media at least an hour prior to bed time.   In that hour, practice the art of being in the present moment and just letting everything else go.   Take a hot bath with some drops of lavender oil and a few sprays of eucalyptus shower mist to the steam - and do the same with the lavender and eucalyptus to your pillow and bed sheets for an even deeper sleep relaxation.   Read, pray and be thankful. Trust that tomorrow will have plenty of beauty of it's own to be thankful for as well.

Your health is so important and it begins with your state of mind and being.   Take care of your mind, body and soul and the rest will begin to fall more peacefully into place.   At Eurospa we want to know that people's live are enriched and full of beautiful health.  Don't hesitate to ask what we can do for you!

Enjoy the day that awaits you!

by: Navae Fiona

Cure Your Headache at Home With Eucalyptus Oil!

Headaches can be a real day stopper and have the unpleasant gift of showing up at the most inconvenient times!  I don't like over the counter medicine and love to find alternatives.  So, when a headache shows up during my busy day of work, the house and kids, I need some ways to cure the pain at home with quick and natural remedies.  

I gathered up my tried and true and am happy to share with you my favorite ways to cure a headache at home: 


Eucalyptus Oil: 


Applying eucalyptus oil to your forehead can be incredibly soothing for stress headaches in the same manner as peppermint oil. (see below) Like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil can soothe, relax muscles and clear nasal passages.  It's great to inhale as well, because it has anti microbial properties that can help attack germs and viruses that may be causing the headache. Either put a few drops of eucalyptus oil into a bowl of steaming water and inhale deeply or take advantage of our Eucalyptus Oil Shower Spray, while enjoy a nice shower or bath!







Peppermint Oil: 


This is a good one to keep in the car!  Store a little bottle of peppermint oil in your glove box for those headaches on the go. Rubbing even a few drops on your temples has proven to relieve the pain of tension headaches. Peppermint oil creates a relaxing cooling sensation once in contact with the skin and helps ease the tension in your head and neck muscles. The scent also has the power to calm your nerves and clear your sinus passages, which can help greatly if your headache is caused by stress or sinus pressure.

Lavender Oil: 

Lavender's scent has an incredibly strong effect on the nervous system, including relieving problems such as sleep issues, anxiety and stress, which can all contribute to headaches. Some evidence suggests that lavender can even help relieve the pain of even the migraines! Simply place a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow, create a spray by diluting the oil in water and spray into the room around you, create a lavender sachet or brew a cup of lavender tea to take full advantage of this natural headache reliever.




Of course there are some other common home remedies that should not be forgotten.  

• Hydrate!  Try to drink 2-3 liters per day.
• Sleep!  Get 7-9 hours each night. 
• Massage!  Gently massage your middle and index finger at your temples.
• Relax! We over schedule ourselves too often.  Stop.  Pause.  Breathe deeply. 

Take charge of your health with the power of natural medicine!  We love doing what we can to help which is why we began Eurospa in the first place.  Come visit us and see how we can make your world a healthier place!





by: Navae Fiona

6 Tips to Heal That Sunburn Fast & Naturally at Home!

The Spring sun has not only come out but it's come out strong and in all it's glory!  And with Summer not too far behind, we need to make sure we know how to protect and nourish our skin. 
I don't need to spend too much time on sunscreen, because by now, we all know that we need to properly defend our skin from the strong rays of the sun.  


Beaches and poolsides offer relaxation and relief during the bright warm months and we tend to love soaking it up!   But there are many times when we just can't help ourselves and loose track of time and those lovely warming rays get a little too deep.   





So here are some ways to not only heal that sunburn fast and naturally at home, while possibly turning it into a tan.  After all, the most important key to turning that sunburn into a tan is to heal it FAST. 
1.  COOL IT DOWN
Cool your sunburned skin immediately. Dip into a very cool bath, shower or even splash cool water on affected skin, right after you come in out of the sun. Cooling the burn minimizes damage to skin layers.


2.  TREAT IT WELL 
Spray the burn with diluted lavender oil.  Or, grab our own Eucalyptus Oil Shower Mist .If you choose to go with the lavender, just mix a few drops to a cup of water and pour into a clean spray bottle. Shake well before using. Both lavender and eucalyptus are good for mild (first-degree) burns of any kind.


3.  KEEP IT LOOSE
Your skin is particularly sensitive right now and the nicest thing you can do for it is to wear loose fitting natural fabrics.  Just say NO to poly blends!  Cotton and hemp fabrics are breathable and soft on the healing skin.  If you want to heal fast, you've got to baby the skin and treat it as gently as possible. 


4.  RINSE AND REPEAT
Repeat the above steps.  Before you go to bed and once you get up in the morning, shower again. It will not only feel soothing, but it will steal the heat from the skin, speeding the healing along. Make sure you do another spray down session with your Lavender or Eucalyptus Spray before you go to bed, to really make sure those oils can use the night to penetrate into your skin.


5. HYDRATE
Try to moisturize as often as possible each day after you get that blessed sunburn and drink plenty of water. I'm not kidding.  DRINK A LOT OF WATER.  I can't stress that enough. Sunburns dry out the skin immensely. Staying hydrated on the inside and out will keep your many skin layers from dying and peeling.  And we don't want peely skin! We want supple, moist and glowing skin!! 

6.  BE SHADY 
As long as you have that burn, stay in the shade.  You will only prolong and aggravate the healing process by exposing your skin to more sun.  So stay cool, covered and moisturized!


I hope those tips were helpful.   For further aiding in healing, feel free to add some vitamin E to your daily regimen and foods like apricots and cucumbers, which are high in E and silica - great for skin!  To keep your youthful glow, keep up the hydrate, moisturize and essential oil routine. These daily practices will keep nourishing your skin and will continue to protected from normal environmental harm.   

We love your health and want you to feel good.  That's why we at Eurospa do what we do.  So let us know what we can do for you!

Get out there and enjoy the sun!  That's what it's there for!!  



by:  Navae Fiona

Eucalyptus: The Remedy Your Cough Is Begging For!

I don't know about you, but I have seen far to many coughs and respiratory infections these days and it's time we start talking about ways to cure this beast at home - and FAST.

The cold season can be feisty one, wreaking havoc in homes all over. Now that spring is upon us, it is important, more than ever to nip this thing in the bud, so we all can go back to enjoying the return of the sunshine!

First of all - let's talk immune boosters.  Those pesky germs are likely to come around regardless, so it's best to remain prepared and ready to fight them off at all costs!

• Up Your Greens!  Now, I understand that many people may wince at the very thought of this, but I'm here to say, "It's time to overcome your aversion!" Green foods have the highest amount of balanced proteins, vitamins and minerals of our diet.  Our white blood cells require their nutrients to function properly.  
• Hydrate! It's really hard for you to have too much water.  Every one of your cells require it and all of your organs as well.  More water means the viruses are more quickly and efficiently carried out of the body. 
• Sleep! Get enough of it.  Only you know how much you need.  Some people need 8 hours and others need less.  The point is to do what's best for your body.  What's best may not be convenient, but it sure is more convenient that being sick for two weeks. 

If you're unlucky enough to have that viral visitor drop by, here are some safe and natural ways to get you feeling healthy again.

Coughs:  First of all, there are two main categories of herbs that are used in DIY home cough remedies: antitussives, meant for clearing the lungs of congestion and make coughing more productive and expectorants, meant for those dry, hacking cough to calm the reflex and act as a mild sedative.

I found this great recipe for herbal cough syrup from wellnessmama! (not affiliated, just passing on the pearls of wisdom)

*Homemade herbal cough syrup that soothes the throat to ease coughing and promote restful sleep.

Author: Wellness Mama

Recipe type: Remedy

Serves: 8+

Ingredients

• 1 quart of filtered water
• ¼ cup Ginger Root (fresh grated or dried)
• ¼ cup Chamomile Flowers
• ¼ cup Marshmallow Root
• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 cup honey

Instructions

1. Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add the dried herbs.
2. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
3. Simmer until the volume is reduced by about half. (You will need 1 cup of liquid after herbs are strained off)
4. Pour through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove herbs (compost the herbs!).
5. While liquid is still warm (not boiling) mix with lemon juice and honey and stir well.
6. Store in airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Notes

I give 1 teaspoon to children and 1 tablespoon to adults as needed for symptoms.*

GET IT OUT!  Check out our own Eucalyptus Shower Mist and spray it into every room and as a cleaning solution for door handles to kill the active invader.   What's even better, is that you can spray it into the steam of your shower for a vaporizing effect!


We just want you to feel better and hope that you found this helpful!

We'd love to hear from YOU!  What do you do to conquer the cough?  Please let us know in the comments below!


Have a healthy day!




by:  Navae Fiona

Post Workout Recovery Tips for the Lover of All Things Natural!

We all want to be strong and fit, but let's face it.  In our dedication to a more toned body, we can often times over do it and really pay for it in the days to follow.  Sorry folks, the solution is NOT to work out less  - though some may wish it that way.  Exercising on a regular basis let's our bodies know we are thankful for it's hard work and would like to keep this whole 'life thing' lasting as a long and beautifully as possible.  So - keep up your healthy routine and enjoy some of these all natural, post workout recovery tips!


STRETCH BEFORE & AFTER!

Gentle stretching before AND after a workout is a key component not to be dismissed.  Trust me, I've been there and sometimes you just don't want to 'waste your time' stretching.  I want to emphasize the gentle part for a minute as well.  Especially before a workout, your muscles are not warmed up. This will cause them to be more tight and stiff - like a dry rubber band.  Over stretching or stretching to forcefully will actually weaken the muscle, making injury more likely. Once your workout is complete - consider stretching in a sauna (still gently) and really make use of the extra heat.  More about saunas below...  


HYDRATE!

You lose so much water during exercise and while it's best to replace it during exercise, refilling your personal hydro-tank after exercise is a great and simple way to speed up your recovery time. Water supports every metabolic function and transfer of nutrients in the body. Having plenty of water will improve each and every bodily function. Adequate fluid replacement is even more vital for endurance athletes who lose larger amounts of water during hours of sweating and peak activity. 


REFUEL!

It's SO important to make sure you eat within 60 minutes of a hard workout.   You just depleted your energy stores and now it's time to refuel them if you expect your body to recover, repair tissues, get stronger and be ready for the next challenge. Some great go-to foods for a speedy recovery are protein shakes, bananas, nut butters, hummus and red peppers, yogurt, berries, fish and all green plants.  Let's just face it - green plants are the food to eat pre and post anything!



HOT COLD! 

Take alternating hot and cold to the next level.  The old advice of ice pack and heating pad have great purpose but are better for targeting certain areas.   Try taking a really hot shower and then switching to the coldest setting for about 30 seconds (or how long you can handle it) and switching back to hot again.  As well, if you have access to a steam room or sauna - go stretch in the heat for 5-10 minutes, go out and take a cold shower (or use the ice bath if it's available) and the return to the sauna.  Repeat the process 2-3 times for best results.  


DID SOMEONE SAY SAUNA?

Of course I did.  I would almost go as far as saying that I'm one of the biggest sauna fans in the world.  It's for good reason too.  The health benefits that saunas deliver make me wonder why more people don't invest in building one in their own home! {If you DO want one built, talk to THESE GUYS and you'll be on your way to better home health in no time!} But back to muscle recovery...  If you're already going to be stretching and alternating hot and cold in that gift of a sauna - enhance the experience further and add Eucalyptus oil or Spray!  For the oil, mix the essential oil into another base, like almond or jojoba and you'll quickly have a muscle recovery rub!  The oil penetrates deep into the tissue (more so in the heat of the sauna) for an anti-inflammatory effect.  When using the spray, simply spritz into the shower steam or the sauna/steam room.  The oil in the air will then enter your lungs and be carried off to nurture the needier parts of your well-worked muscles.  


You are working out and exercising to better your health and look your best. Congratulations! That's a big commitment you should be proud of!  Please take care of yourself with proper diet, rest and recovery as you live your life to it's absolute fullest! 


-Navae Fiona 

Why Every Parent Should Keep Eucalyptus Oil in the Home

Eucalyptus oil uses have long been known to include aiding the respiratory system, including asthma attacks, bronchitis infections, colds, and more. But surprisingly, there are still dozens more uses for this essential oil. It's camphorous, slightly sweet aroma is more commonly known for it's support of the respiratory system and any issues involving it, as well as many skin related concerns.

Whether you use the oil mixed into another base oil for massage directly in to the skin,  diffuse the oil, or even spray it when cleaning both home and body, there is always a way to incorporate eucalyptus into your family health and safety regimen.  

Here is a great list of uses and benefits of eucalyptus oil that every parent and family should read and know about!  And please, pass this on to your friends and family, as we know that a healthy planet, begins with being informed!

Arterial Vasodilator

Eucalyptus will help dilate the circulatory system, increasing circulation. Use 1 drop during massage over any area of concern.

Asthma
During an asthma attack, massage 1-2 drops over the chest. Also, inhale the aroma directly or diffuse in the air.

Brain Blood Flow
Diffuse or spray the mist throughout the home or classroom to increase circulation to the brain.

Bronchitis
Use topically or aromatically, massaging into the chest, back and throat, inhaling from the bottle, or dropping the oil on the shirt collar.

Congestion
Eucalyptus oil uses included clearly congestion from the airways. I recommend inhaling for nasal congestion and massaging the oil over all other affected areas.

Cooling
Yes, eucalyptus oil uses even include cooling the body down. Place several drops in a spray bottle, along with peppermint oil if you'd like some extra oomph, and spritz over the body. 

Coughs
Diffuse or spray throughout the room throughout the span of the illness, but also massage into the reflex points of the feet (follow the application guidelines in the link above), as well as over the chest, back, and throat. *Be sure to add the shower mist spray to a hot shower, bath or steam room, as this will quickly break through congestion and mucous for faster relief of respiratory conditions.

Diabetes
Because of the vasodilation mention above, using eucalyptus on a daily basis can increase circulation, a common issue for diabetics. I recommend massaging it into the body with lotion after each shower, as the massage will also help increase circulation.

Disinfectant
Its antiviral and antibacterial properties naturally make cleaning among one of the eucalyptus oil uses. Follow this household cleaners guide for more information.

Dysentery
Massage 2 drops of eucalyptus over the abdomen in a counter-clockwise direction to ease diarrhea, inflammation, and fight infection.

Ear Inflammation
Never put essential oil IN the ear canal! However, you can massage the oil on and around the outer ear. Use only 1 drop to start, diluted for children.

Emphysema
Eucalyptus oil uses are wonderful for all manner of respiratory disease. Diffuse or spray your personal sized mist the oil daily, massage 1 drop over the chest at least once a day, and another drop into the reflex points of the feet.

Expectorant
To help drain mucus from the lungs, massage 1 drop into the reflex points of the feet and apply another drop over the chest at least once a day (I'd personally do three times a day if no sensitivity is found).

Fever
Because eucalyptus oil uses include cooling the body (above), using during a high fever can help the body regulate its temperature and support its efforts in fighting infection.

Flu
Depending on your flu symptoms, eucalyptus oil uses will vary. You can apply to the abdomen to ease diarrhea, massage into aching joints and muscles, or simply diffuse through the air to fight infection.

Hypoglycemia
Another of eucalyptus oil uses, you can help regulate your blood sugar by massaging 1-2 drops into the soles of the feet daily.

Inflammation
Massage 1-2 drops over the afflicted area, always moving toward the heart to support the lymphatic system.

Iris Inflammation
This recommend comes from Modern Essentials (mentioned below). While you should never put essential oils IN the eyes, massaging into the temples may support the irises.

Jet Lag
Eucalyptus oil uses include waking up the body with its slightly sweet, fruity, and uplifting aroma. Use topically or aromatically.

Kidney Stones
Massage 1-2 drops of the oil over the afflicted area up to three times a day.

Lice
Its natural insecticidal properties make this among one of the more surprising of eucalyptus oil uses. Read more about treating lice naturally here.

Measels
Diffuse  and spray your mist throughout the home for the length of the illness, and massage 1-2 drops into the reflex points of the feet 2-3 times a day.

Neuralgia
Another of the little-known eucalyptus oil uses, massaging into the areas of concern daily can reduce pain.

Neuritis
Along with neuralgia, massage several drops into the reflex points of the feet and over the affected areas can reduce inflammation.

Overexercised Muscles
Strain, fatigue, etc can all be treated with a gentle massage of eucalyptus oil. Always massage toward the heart to move the lactic acid buildup through the lymphatic system.

Pain
Depending on the type of pain, eucalyptus oil uses may necessitate application to the reflex points of the feet or directly over the area of concern.

Pneumonia
Help the lungs to clear by diffusing constantly and massaging directly over the lungs. Use the shower mist as often as possible.  It will also help to massage eucalyptus into the reflex points of the hands and feet. 

Rhinitis

Reduce inflammation and open airways by inhaling directly from the bottle, massaging one drop over the sinuses, or applying as a hot compress.

Shingles
Eucalyptus oil uses include shingles for its antiviral properties, as well as its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Massage into the affected areas daily, add to a warm bath, or use a hot compress over the area.

Sinusitis
Apply as a hot compress over the sinuses and massage 1-2 drops into the reflex points of the feet (toes and pads of the feet). You can also inhale directly or diffuse throughout the room.

Tennis Elbow
I highly recommend finding a massage therapist who specializes in treating tennis elbow and bringing along your eucalyptus to include in the deep massage of the area.

Tuberculosis
Eucalyptus oil uses include fighting the bacterial infection, clearly the lungs, reducing inflammation and more. Diffuse constantly and massage 2 drops into the chest and over the back.

I cannot recommend enough how beneficial this oil is for everyday use in both keeping your house clean of bacteria and viruses, but also in the treatment of both major and minor issues.

Go HERE to buy your own affordable personal sized shower mist spray that can be used for clean, disinfecting a room and adding to your shower, hot bath or steam room.   Additionally keep a bottle in your car to keep your traveling space clear of germs and ready for muscle spasms and spontaneous emergency needs.

As a mother or father, you know the value of being prepared and caring for the health of yourself and your family.  Please take the next step and get your own Eucalyptus Oil now.

We value your health.   Have a vibrant day!



by:  Navae Fiona