How To Stay Warm and Happy During Cold Gray Winters!

Winter weather is exhausting. It’s tiring to feel cold all the time, be surrounded by grey clouds.  The chill damp nature of winter leaves our bones begging for sustainable warmth. You find yourself longing for the summer and time just seems to drag on. But if you can make life more beautiful in this season, it will pass faster and feel better.

So it seems to make sense to look to how other people around the world deal with these frigid seasons and then try their methods in our own days.

Limit your screen time

As a whole, our society forgets how important it is to rest our minds from  our screen addicted culture. (this I say, while writing from a computer of course) But the point remains.  We have a hard time turning off our screens.  We likely spend half our day in front of a computer, then go home to zone out on TV and internet programming. This over works our eyes and causes us to  be more tired and get poor sleep.

Less obligations

We tend to over 'yes' people and then find ourselves missing times of relaxation and needed stillness.   When we say 'no' appropriately, we remind others and ourselves of our personal value and the self respect that should go along with it.  You know what's going to benefit and drain you; it's ok to set those boundaries.

Go outside

I know it might be grey and cold outside, but fresh air is so necessary! Get out your rain or snow gear and feel alive.  Go for a hike, take a walk and move!  The old weather puts on our system is countered by the deep breathing and increased circulation in the fresh air.  I know it may be hard to get up the gusto, but it's worth it.  Love yourself enough to make it happen.

New ways to get warm  

Heat therapy does wonders for the cold body.  Steam rooms and saunas offer a world of relief, relaxation and detoxification in this season of cold and flu.  In many European countries, it's the norm to have a sauna in your home or apartment building.  We haven't caught up as fast with that one, but it doesn't mean they are hard to find.   Usually your local gym and fitness center will have an option for you.  However, if this isn't an option, take a steam bath or shower at least twice a week to really sink some heat into your bones.  An added bonus?  Add some Eucalyptus Shower Spray to the steam and cleanse your bronchial passages.

Winter can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be miserable. Make the effort to care for yourself from the inside out - including your mind and practices. At Eurospa, we want to support your total health and are happy to answer any questions you might have about our high quality eucalyptus products.

Feeling Tired? Beat Brain Fog Without Caffeine Using This Single Natural Remedy!

If your coffee isn't working, your exhaustion cab be very overwhelming and more frustrating. So you need a fix that works fast and efficiently. 

First, a note about caffeine. Many times, we are so tired and quickly go for another coffee or soda, when the truth is, consuming too much caffeine can really burn out our adrenals. The adrenal glands regulate our alertness, our sleep cycles and metabolism. If they are burnt out, the domino effect can be very dangerous to the mind and body. 

So it's important to have some quick and easy solutions for beating brain fog naturally, without caffeine burning out the adrenals. 

Our solution? Eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil has a long list of health benefits, including respiratory health, muscle pain relief, immune system support and of course - an increase of energy! 

One very important reason that many people use eucalyptus oil is that it creates a cooling and refreshing effect. Eucalyptus oil is a natural stimulant that removes exhaustion and mental sluggishness and rejuvenates the spirits of the worn down. It can also be effective in the treatment of stress and mental disorders.

Aside from mental exhaustion, eucalyptus essential oil is commonly used to stimulate mental activity and increase blood flow to the brain. Since the essential oil is considered a vasodilator by many, it means that it increases the blood flow around the body by relaxing the blood vessels and allowing more blood to circulate. Basically, more blood to the brain means more brain power, and eucalyptus essential oil is commonly employed in classrooms as a form of causal aromatherapy to increase student performance. Further, formal research must be done in this area, but all signs point to the positive correlation between brain function and eucalyptus essential oil.

One way that many people use to get the benefits of eucalyptus oil is to add it to baths, spas and saunas because of its refreshing and antiseptic attributes. Most of the benefits of eucalyptus essential oil can be accessed through the vapor, as well as topical application or ingestion. To keep it simple, we at Eurospa, have created a Eucalyptus Shower Spray for your happy and healthy convenience. 

The use of eucalyptus oil in healing practices is increasing in popularity worldwide, because of it's many benefits and uses. It also blends well with many other essential oils including the essential oils of thyme, rosemary, marjoram, lavender, cedarwood, and frankincense.

We know you're tired. You deserve a healthy solution. We've made that for you. If you're ready to enjoy the benefits for yourself, click here. At Eurospa, your health is our priority and we're honored to be a part of it!

Ease Nausea Quickly and Naturally with This Natural Home Remedy!

No one likes nausea. Your whole day can turn upside down, with your movement limited and and ability to consume food almost impossible. But we are happy to share with you a natural remedy that will be comfort and relief, quickly and naturally from the comfort of your home. 

Of course, at Eurospa, our specialty lies in essential oils and for good reason. The best natural remedies for nausea and vomiting should always include essential oils. They are convenient and easy to use. And perfect for when you have an upset stomach, stomach flu or stomach ache.

But why are essential oils such a dependable remedy? Well, using the highest quality of oils has a miraculous result on the body and mind. At Eurospa, we have formulated a eucalyptus oil shower spray that not only eases nausea, but also supports your respiratory, musculoskeletal , circulatory and even nervous system. One thing that sets our spray apart is that it's made of only pharmaceutical grade of essential oil; but we'll come back to that in a moment. 

First, let's talk about how the oils work. Essential oils penetrate the skin and circulate throughout the body in a matter of minutes. The best thing is that in addition to inhaling their healing fragrance, you can also place them on the bottoms of your feet, as the body absorbs essential oils quickly and is able to disperse them throughout your body rather than having to take something internally. And if you're suffering from stomach ailments or nausea, this will come as a relief, as you likely can't handle anything orally anyway. 

Now, back to our high quality standards. Pharmaceutical grade essential oils come to you in their strongest and purest form. With essential oils, for it to really be strong and pure, it must have a higher than 70% cineole content. Our Pharmaceutical grade eucalyptus oil is has a cineole content of 80-85%, and is 100% pure with no additives or fillers. 80-85% cineole ensures maximum effectiveness for potential therapeutic applications and uses. We don't dilute or process after the distillation process. By starting with such a high grade oil you have the power to adjust the strength to your needs. You start with the top strength and dilute as needed. 

We at Eurospa have been providing the finest quality of eucalyptus oil products to both homes and spas alike, for over 30 years. This means that you, too, can have the same high quality of eucalyptus oil that the 5-star hotels use right in the comfort of your home.

If you're tired of using less than helpful products to feel better and are ready to experience true health and vitality, start with a powerful small step. Get a bottle of Eucalyptus oil shower spray today. Your whole body will thank you. 

Don't Let Sinus Pain Boss You Around. Get Relief Easily and Naturally at Home NOW.

Sinus infections and relentless bouts of hay fever are frustrating and have the power to really slow down your life. But you're busy and don't have time to be shackled down by annoying sneezing, congestion and headaches.  

Spring time should be a time to celebrate and enjoy the sun, not dread it's aftermath. The blooming of new flowers, and rampant germs and viruses cause our immune systems to go haywire, and work overtime to push them out of our system, causing inflammation and irritation along the way! And using all those conventional allergy meds will often leave you feeling even worse. 

If you've suffered from sinus irritation and crazy pollen induced hay fever, you know I'm not exaggerating and totally feel the pain.  But instead of despairing and hiding in your window-sealed house for the season, let me give you some tips. 

You actually can find relief and do so naturally with essential oils.

Starting with our favorite, of course: 

Eucalyptus Oil! (You knew I was going to say that, right?) Eucalyptus is the super hero of essential oils.  When inhaled, it's oil can open the respiratory system, reduce inflammation and allow for better breathing! It confidently storms through your bronchial passages to clear to the path for more air! Add to that, it's anti-microbial properties and you'll not only clear your airways, but clean house of all it's enemies!  I recommend using this Eucalyptus Oil Shower Mist in your morning/mid-day/evening shower routine, or in a sauna/steam room if you have access to one!

Lavender Oil, a natural antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and very calming. It can help reduce irritation and relax your breathing.

Lemon improves immunity, relieves respiratory issues, is antibacterial and relieves respiratory inflammation.

The truth is, all of the above oils would do well to be inhaled in the heat of a shower, sauna or steam room and will work miracles when rubbed on to the head, neck  and chest with a carrier oil.   They will all penetrate your skin and airways to both cleanse them of the pollen and to give you the sinus relief you so desperately need!

Peppermint Oil will help to open those stuffed nasal passages and can reduce headaches caused by sinus pressure as well! Special bonus tip?  Mix with a little coconut oils and rub on the top of your forehead, at your temples and behind your ears. You'll be surprised at how this gives you relief. 

But make it easy on yourself and get the eucalyptus shower spray that everyone is raving about! 

You don't have to be miserable any more.  There is help! 

We at Eurospa Aromatics, we are committed to your health.  Stop by and see what else we can do to increase the quality of your life and overall health.  

You deserve it.

Migraine? Here Are Four Natural and Safe Ways to Find Headache Relief!

Headaches and migraines may be triggered or exacerbated by stress, making relaxation an important part of headache treatment. One natural and healthy option to try is aromatherapy, which uses essential oils from plants to support the body as it heals itself. For many generations, aromatherapy has been used to relieve stress and pain for pain, and is quite safe, provided you use them as directed. Diffusing through the air is the best and safest option. For topical use, please contact the company directly to see what they recommend.

Eurospa wants you feeling good, so here are four natural ways to experience headache and migraine relief! 

Lavender
Lavender oil comes from the plant’s blue-violet flowers. Some small research studies suggest that lavender oil has a calming effect when its scent is inhaled. It may also help reduce pain — aromatherapists often use it to help treat headache. Just place a few drops of lavender oil into boiling water and inhale the vapors. Lavender oil can also be rubbed into the skin for pain relief. But keep it away from your mouth and eyes — it’s toxic if ingested by a non-therapeutic grade brand.

Rosemary
Rosemary is another essential oil that is frequently used in aromatherapy. Rosemary oil applied to the skin has been used to treat muscle pain and improve circulation, so it makes sense that it could help relieve migraine or headache pain. One study supports the use of rosemary for reducing stress and anxiety. Essential oil of rosemary may be added to base oil and rubbed into the skin. It can also be added to bathwater, but avoid contact with the eyes or any open cuts.

Peppermint
Peppermint is a cross between water mint and spearmint plants, and it grows wild in Europe and North America. Peppermint oil is used in aromatherapy for headache as well as muscle and nerve pain. This essential oil can be inhaled, applied to the skin after being diluted with another oil, or taken by mouth in very small doses. Some pain studies show that peppermint oil used as aromatherapy for headache may allow people to use fewer traditional pain medications.

Eucalyptus
The leaves and oil of the eucalyptus tree are used for many medical purposes. Eucalyptus oil is said to help reduce swelling, clear nasal congestion, and relieve pain. These properties could all help ease headache pain, though there is no firm scientific evidence to support its use. Full-strength essential oil of eucalyptus should not be taken by mouth or rubbed on the skin. It should be diluted first. (everyday health)

Our favorite way of recommending it would be through steam - using our eucalyptus oil shower spray in both a shower or steam room. You'll quickly feel the pressure lighten and your body relax. 

If you deal with headaches or migraines, we don't envy you. But we do want to provide you with relief. Visit Eurospa today to learn more about our Eucalyptus based products. 

Stop the Pain and Learn the Secret to Getting Rid of Your Sinus Infection Fast and Naturally

If you're used to getting sinus problems, I want to share a solution with you. 

Sinus problems hurt, happen inconveniently and leave you feeling frustrated and desperate for anything that works. 

A solution? Eucalyptus oil. In particular, using eucalyptus in the home shower or in a steam room, regularly will help not only the immediate symptoms, but also the condition on a long term basis. 

Eucalyptus oil is a steam distilled from the eucalyptus tree.  The oil is taken from the tree’s leaves and extracted for medicinal, pharmaceutical, repellent, flavorings, fragrance, antiseptic and other uses.  Eucalyptus trees and bushes grow in South Africa, Portugal, Spain , Brazil, Australia, Chile, and Swaziland.

Eucalyptus is high in an oxide 1,8-cineol (or eucalyptol).  Oxides are basically a compound that has oxygen (technical wording: “a binary compound of an element or a radical with oxygen”).  Cineol is the most prevalent of the oxides . This means that eucalyptus is great as an anesthetic (loss of sensation), antiseptic (reduce the possibility of infection), as well as a strong mucolytic (gets rid of mucus).  It thins the mucus in the respiratory tract infections - making it a miracle worker for sinus problems!

Eucalyptus is analgesic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anti-infectious, anti-inflamatory, antiviral, insecticidal, and expectorant.  This means that eucalyptus may help with acne, bronchitis, ear inflammation, flu, hay fever, high blood pressure, nasal problems such as sinus infections, coughs, congestions, vaginitis as well as insect repellent.

The benefits are extensive, making the choice to keep it in your home, a positive one! So stop feeling hopeless and know there you can in fact, feel better! See for yourself, with Eurospa's Eucalyptus shower spray and other health improving products!

Look Younger, Feel Better and Increase Energy? 4 Magic Tips to Blow Your Mind!

Are you looking to have incredible skin, feel amazing and have incredible
energy....without spending a fortune or turning to crazy chemicals? 

If your sick of the toxic options and expensive, risky options out there, we're happy to pass on some magic tips to transform your skin, energy and health - all within the comfort of your home... or close!

Eucalyptus Steam 
Eucalyptus Shower Spray is a great addition to any anti-aging routine.  Simply turn up the steam in the shower and spray the eucalyptus onto the walls and into the steam. This will allow the pores in the face to open and activate the anti-microbial cleansing properties of this healing plant. As well, inhaling the the steam will invite the herbal strength to cleanse your bronchial passages, allowing for a full body cleanse that will reflect in your skin.  Healthy skin, healthy body? Lucky you!

Lemon Water

On a more practical note, try starting your day with a hot cup of lemon water.  Simply make hot water as you would for tea, add the juice of 1/2 a lemon and sweeten with honey or stevia to taste if needed.  This cleanses your digestive system, detoxifies the skin and blood, jump starts your energy and metabolism and neutralizes your body ph to a more alkaline level.  Disease and instability of health thrive in an acidic body. The opposite of that is an alkaline body.  Be healthy. Start your day alkaline. (side note: remember how lemon water cleanses the digestive system? the kidneys are part of that.  You know those bags and dark circles under your eyes?  Those are from overwhelmed kidneys.)

Green Juice

There's a lot of hype about green juice these days and it's for good reason!  Greens, similar to lemon water, alkalize the water, making the body a fertile ground for beauty to grow.  Greens tone the skin and blood, adding multiple vitamins, minerals and nutrients like silica, collagen, elastin and vitamin k to your insides and outsides.  This results in eyes that are brighter, skin that is tighter and cheeks that have that natural rosy hue. Who doesn't want that? (don't be too afraid - there are PLENTY of delicious recipes online for incredibly tasting juice!)

Self care is surprisingly simple if you just know the tricks and get consistent. Eurospa knows the importance of quality self care, and that's why we chose to create our own line of quality products years ago. 

We specialize in Eucalyptus and Menthol based products for the home and spa. Please contact us today, and let us know how we can help YOUR self care routine! 

The Shocking Secret that Keeps you Healthy and Stress Free.... is Right Here!

Everyone wants feel good and be happy, but what if it's more in your control than you think? There are many things we can do to support our health naturally, but the shocking secret that keeps you healthy and stress free just might be right at the end of your nose. 

Literally. 

Let's talk about oxygen for a moment.

Oxygen shortage in the human body has been linked to every major illness category including heart conditions, cancer, digestion and elimination problems, respiratory disease, inflamed, swollen and aching joints, sinus problems, yeast infections and even sexual dysfunction.

Oxygen is our primary source of energy and is the main energy source for our brain function. It calms the mind and stabilizes the nervous system. Without oxygen we cannot absorb important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients our body needs. When our cells lack oxygen they weaken and die. Without oxygen, nothing works very well or at all.

What I'm coming to, is that the old practice of "taking 10 deep breaths" to calm down is totally valid.  The answer really is right under your nose. 

I'd like to challenge you to a very simple practice. Take a few times a day to stop, and let things go. Whatever's bothering you, has a solution. The stress and anxiety aren't part of that solution. And whatever the answer is, will come more clearly to you when you slow down, breathe deep and let what's heavy - go. 

Take it further. To really get that oxygen deep into the lungs, the blood cells, brain and vital organs:

• exercise: raising your aerobic activity level forces the blood to distribute oxygen throughout the body quickly and efficiently 
• sauna or steam room: the heat and moisture relax and allow the body to take in more oxygen and release toxins and stress. 
• essential oils: use lavender and sandlewood to relax and calm down and oils such as rosemary or eucalyptus in the shower or sauna are great for enhancing oxygen absorption and detoxing and cleansing the body of toxins.

At Eurospa, we are dedicated to furthering your health and hope you feel uplifted by this post. Please check out the different products we offer to enhance your health and lifestyle!

3 Steps To More Hydrated Skin the Natural Way!

The change of weather can work a number on our skin, as we go from cold to warm and back again. Our glands have a hard time keeping up, so it's only fair to support them in the best ways we can. The kind of care that our skin needs is determined by the type of skin we have. There are four types of skin-normal, oily, dry and sensitive and each type of skin has its own complications. 

Having a dry skin means experiencing tightness due to lack of moisture and a need for a proper lubricant to rehydrate it. Many home remedies can help improve your dry flaky skin on face.

Here are 3 Steps To More Hydrated Skin the Natural Way!

Lubricate
Moisture forms a protective layer on the skin keeping it safe by keeping it hydrated. Oils that are easily absorbed by the skin, such as coconut, jojoba and almond, tend to be better at keeping the real moisture in, allowing the skin the best nourishment possible. Coconut oil makes the skin feel softer and removes its previous scaly characteristic by moistening it in a natural way. Coconut oil has sufficient amounts of fatty acid that make up for any loss of moisture from the skin. It works best when left on for an entire night. Apply proper amount before going to sleep and wash it off in the morning; do this every night.Over the counter creams work well in the beginning but only leave a surface layer of hydration.  

Humidify
Winter is not a friend to dry skin. The heating in homes evaporate the water from the air, which makes the air very dry. Humidifiers come in useful at a time like this by adding moisture to the air, and thus benefiting your dry skin. Either humidify the whole room or get a portable humidifier. We definitely recommend adding a few sprays of our eucalyptus oil shower spray to the room to enhance the health and wellness benefits. Eucalyptus in the air will not only open up the bronchial passages for better respiratory health and to cleanse the skin!

Exfoliate
An exfoliating scrub made by concocting lemon juice and sugar leaves your skin soft and glowing. With a circular massage of the skin with this beauty scrub, rough spots on the face become even. The vitamins C in the lemons is a good astringent that lightens the skin tone, removes patches on the skin and encourages cell growth. Mix a teaspoon of sugar and mix it with juice of half a lemon, use cotton balls to scrub all over the face. Put a jar of it on your nightstand and apply it regularly.

Eurospa is dedicated to your health and we can't wait to hear how these remedies help you! 

Easy Ways to Boost the Health Benefits of Your Sauna Time!

Health experts everywhere are saying more than ever that using a sauna or steam room regularly benefits your health, increases your immunity and quality of life. So if we told you you could get even more out of the experience, would you want to know more? Of course you would! We at Eurospa, specialize in boosting the immune system with and making a better spa experience with essential oils. And today, we want to share how! 

Saunas are known as fixtures in spas, gyms and even some homes. The benefits range from relaxation   to weight loss and cleansing! If you are considering adding sauna treatments to your health or wellness routine at home, it's important to know the benefits. 

Here are some easy ways to boost the health benefits of your sauna time!

Expectoration

One health advantage that can only be provided through the heat of saunas is the expectorant effect, when adding a menthol based essential oil to the mix, such as eucalyptus oil. These oils thin and open the mucous membranes in your body, including in your sinuses, throat and lungs. If you suffer chronic congestion or sinus infections, using eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary, can help loosen and clear the mucous from your nose, chest and throat. 

Pain Management
Heat has an analgesic, or pain relieving, effect due to its ability create more effective blood flow. Painful conditions caused by inflammation such as arthritis and fibromyalgia can be temporarily managed through heat treatments like those found in both saunas and steam rooms. Massaging essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary or even wintergreen, in small amounts and diluted with coconut oil, on to the muscles before and after entering the heat will further your results even more! For managing pain, saunas may be preferable for people who are negatively affected by humidity as are some sufferers of acute rheumatoid arthritis. 

Relaxation
Saunas are said to provide a spectrum of emotional and physical relaxation benefits. Wet and dry heat simulate sedative effects that generate feelings of calmness and relaxation, and some people who suffer emotional or mood disorder may find relief with regular trips to saunas or even steam rooms. Along with a carrier oil, massage lavender, wild orange, ylang ylang or lemon myrtle along your chest, shoulders and back of the neck. This will boost relaxation and allowing the oils to work as a mood balancer with the heat for heightened relaxation. 

The heat of saunas also promote muscle relaxation, which can provide pain relief from muscular injuries such as those from overuse or exercise. As you can see, the heat of saunas and steam rooms can have added benefits when putting different essential oils into the mix. 

At Eurospa, we strive to create and distribute the highest quality eucalyptus products possible for home and spa. Your health is our priority. See how we can help you today!

These Simple Tips Will Reduce Illness During Cold & Flu Season!

As the fall and winter months unfold, getting a cold or flu may feel unavoidable to you and your family. But rest assured, there are definitely some natural and simple tips to reduce illness during cold and flu season for you and the whole family. 

Vitamin D. 
Vitamin D is the number one prevention and treatment for illness as it is an amazingly effective antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial peptides in your body that kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. The best source for vitamin D is direct sunlight exposure, but isn't always available for many or practical during the winter. The next best thing to sunlight is the use of a safe indoor tanning device. If neither natural nor artificial sunlight is an option, then using oral supplements is your best bet.

Healthy food intake
The following foods are extremely beneficial for your overall health and strength of your immune system. Be sure to get a balanced amount of each.

-Fermented foods such as kefir, kimchee, miso, pickles, sauerkraut, etc.
-Raw, organic eggs from free-ranging chickens 
-Coconuts and coconut oil
-Locally grown fruits and vegetables
-Mushrooms, especially Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake, which contain beta glucans (which have immune-enhancing properties)
-Garlic, a potent antimicrobial that kills bacteria, viruses AND fungi
-Herbs and spices with high ORAC scores: Turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, cloves 

Drink Water
Keeping hydrated allows the body to both function efficiently and to flush toxins and bacteria from your system. Water is essential for the optimal function of every system in your body.

Sleep
Make sure you are getting an adequate amount sleep. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, or enough restorative sleep, you’ll be at increased risk for a hostile viral takeover.

Steam
The body loves a chance to release stored toxins in the skin and other organs. Either create a good steaming shower and add our eucalyptus oil shower spray to the mix or do the same in a quality sauna or steam room.  This will also fight bronchial infections, respiratory struggles, improve circulation and alleviate pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis. 

At Eurospa, we are committed to your health and the health of the world around you.  Please take close care of your immune system this season and talk to us about our other products available for personal and spa use!

Love Working Out? 5 Great Natural Tips to Faster Muscle Recovery!

If you are one to work out regularly, it's safe to assume that you like to both look great and feel your best!  If that's true, then you'll want to make sure you are helping your muscles recovery quickly. We know this is important to you, so we've compiled our list of the best ways to help your body recover after a good work out! Enjoy and Eurospa know how these tips have helped you!

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 a contractor today 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! 

Fast and Simple Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Workout

If you are working out, you probably want to look and feel good.  In order to get the most out of your workout, it's important to act in ways that help your muscles to recover

quickly and healthily. We need to be careful not to neglect the most important aspects of our routines as a result of our busy lives. Yes, let's find ways to be fast and efficient, but it's also smart to have a few tips on hand to make recovery both faster and smoother!  So - keep up your (healthy) routine and enjoy some of these all natural, post workout recovery tips!


STRETCH

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...  

WATER

Water is so easily lost during exercise and you've to to replace it during and after the workout to not only hydrate those cells, but also to speed up recovery time! Water aids your metabolic function and supports the transfer of nutrients in the body.  So staying properly hydrated will improve each and every body function.  This is even more vital for endurance athletes who sweat more during periods of strenuous and peak activity. 

GROOVE

Music is a great tool that can help us through a tough workout, at least by distracting us from the burning feeling in your legs.  But on a more serious note, listening relaxing tunes can surprisingly aid in your workout recovery.  So my recommendation is to listen to the faster heavier beats during the workout and switch it up to the slower tempo songs while you stretch and cool down, as the slower music can reduce blood pressure and pulse rate, which is especially useful after an intense workout!


FEED

Are you feeding your body with the right fuel?  Machines require fuel and so do our bodies.  You've got to make sure you eat within 60 minutes of a hard workout.  Your energy stores have just been depleted pretty badly, so you've to restore them if you want your body to recover, repair, gain strength and be prepared for the next challenge! So great go-to and simple snack ideas that will speed your recovery along are protein shakes, bananas, nut butters, hummus and red peppers, yogurt with berries, fish and all green plants.  Let's not forget the obvious- green plants are the foods to eat pre and post anything, really!



HOT & COLD THERAPY

Take alternating hot and cold to an even better level.  The traditional advice of alternating applied ice and heat have great purpose but are better for targeting specific areas.  Instead, try taking a really hot shower and then switching to the coldest setting for about 30 seconds (or whatever you can handle) and then switching back to hot again.  You could even include the sauna with this one. Sit/stretch in the sauna for 5-10 minutes, go out and take a cold shower (or ice bath if that's available) and then return to the sauna.  Repeat this process 2-3 times for best results. 


SWEAT IT OUT

Sauna is the word on the street these days for health and fitness advocates all over the world.  For good reason too.  The health benefits that saunas deliver cause me to wonder why homes all over the world don't invest in installing one in their own homes. If you're already going to be stretching in all that heat, enhance that experience further and add Eucalyptus Oil Spray to the heat and even steam. Simply spritz the spray into the steam or heat.  The oil in the air will then be activated by the heat, enter your lungs and be carried off to nurture those needy parts and well-worked muscles!

Congratulations.  You are working out more regularly and committing to bettering your health.  You will soon be looking and feeling better and that's something to be proud of. Please take care of yourself with proper diet, rest and recovery as you life your life to it's absolute fullest!  

From all of us at Eurospa, we toast to your health!