March 3, 2013

Sunshine and springtime can be richly motivating, specifically when it comes to clearing out the front
closet or the under-the-bed storage bin. But wait, let’s not forget to do a little Spring
cleaning for the body, mind and soul. Here at Serenity Day Spa in Jersey City, NJ we certainly
understand the importance of releasing the sluggish and troubling afflictions
left from a hard winter. And it’s because of this we are proud to partner with
the nation during Health and Wellness Week 2013, promoting daily specials
and fun activities to jump-start your spring cleaning!

During the week, from March 12th through 17th, our location will offer services for
free, at half price or for just $60!*

Week Agenda

Toning Tuesday: 3/12
Swedish Massage- 60 min/$50

Wellness Wednesday: 3/13
Seaweed Salt Scrub Therapy- 60min/$90

Top-Form Thursday: 3/14
Reflexology- 30min/$30

Fitness Friday: 3/15
Sports Massage- 60min/$50

Serenity Saturday: 3/16
Serenity Signature Facial-60min/$60

Sauna Sunday: 3/17
1/2 price sauna upgrade

*By appointment only, please call to make a reservation.

263 Grand Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 516-1772
serenitydayspajc.com

February 8, 2013 by Staff Member

Dermalogica Gets It

Wondering what makes a day at Serenity Day Spa in Jersey City, NJ so wonderful and refreshing? Besides the fabulous customer service, tranquil environment and state of the art equipment, we use and recommend some of the best skin and body care products to all of our customers.

Dermalogica, a company that’s earned a reputation for serious skin health, is our product of choice. For more than 25 years, Dermalogica has catered to all types of skin matters, while others were just catching up. From pre-cleansers and scrubs to exfoliants and moisturizers, we carry Dermalogica because the brand has proven to be safe and effective for all types of skin.

Our guests can customize a skin care treatment regimen to revitalize and maintain a healthy hide by consulting one of our trained experts and in house estheticians.

Established in an era when beauty and self-image was bolstering to the top of society’s priority list, Dermalogica was making health and wellness its primary focus.

Creator Jane Wurwand set out to lift the standards of skin care while other companies emphasized superficial causes in the industry. She wanted people to understand healthy skin is what makes beautiful skin.

And that’s our goal here at Serenity Day Spa in Jersey City, NJ. After a long day at work, we help our guests relax, relieve stress and help restore total health and wellness.

With our rewards program, guests that purchase any Dermalogica product will receive credit toward a discount for a future purchase. It’s an investment that guarantees results.

Stop in today for a free consultation and demonstration.

The investigation conducted by the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle involved 400 patients who had low back pain, the majority of which were middle aged, Caucasian and female. Researchers found those who were given a series of relaxation massage or structural massage were better able to work and be active than those who were given traditional medical care, such as pain pills, muscle relaxants or physical therapy.

According to The New York Times, the study’s participants were randomly divided into three groups: structural massage, relaxation massage and traditional care. Patients in the massage groups received one hour of therapy weekly for 10 weeks.

At the conclusion of the 10 week period, over one-third of the patients who were given massage therapy reported their pain was much improved or eliminated completely, as opposed to only one in 25 patients who were given traditional care. Furthermore, patients in the massage groups were twice as likely to have spent fewer days in bed rest, used less pain pills and participated in more activity than the traditional care group.

Lead author Daniel Cherkin was surprised by the fact that structural massage did not prove superior to relaxation massage in relieving pain. Structural massage involves manipulating specific back pain related muscles and ligaments, while relaxation massage, otherwise known as Swedish massage, involves inducing body-wide relaxation.

The beneficial effects of the massage seemed not only to be experienced during the 10-week therapy period, but also to linger for a time following the cessation of therapy. Evidence of this lingering effect was manifested by the fact that the massage groups continued to display improved function six months after the study’s onset. At the one year mark, however, no significant differences were found in the three groups.

Although the researchers were uncertain of massage therapy’s exact mechanism of action for easing back pain, they voiced several theories. One suggestion was that it either stimulated tissue locally or produced a general central nervous system response. Another speculation was that merely spending time in a relaxing environment and feeling cared for might have been responsible for the improvement. An additional factor to consider is the subjectivity that is impossible to eliminate in such studies. Patients in the control group were aware that the other groups were receiving massage and this knowledge may have caused them to discount their own progress.

It should be reiterated that the study suggests rather than proves the benefit of massage for back pain. Also, some members of the American medical community not associated with the research have expressed reluctance to accept the suggested benefits as being valid.

Conversely, the study’s authors offered their assessments of its import. Cherkin characterizes the results as being “pretty strong.” He states the massage was tested on patients who did not improve using the standard medical approach to back pain treatment. He feels that massage therapy is a reasonable thing to try for anyone getting insufficient relief from this malady. The coauthor, Dr. Richard Deyo, feels that massage appears to provide clinicians with another choice for managing the challenging medical problem of chronic low back pain.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/pain/articles/2011…

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/04/embargo-july-4-5pm-for-back-…

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainManagement/massage-helps-chronic-low…

About the author

Mary West is the creator of a natural healing website where she focuses on solutions to health problems that work without side effects. You may visit her website to learn more at http://www.alternativemedicinetruth.com.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033113_low_back_pain_massage_therapy.html#ixzz2HqsgCKWO

Photography by: Dominick Guillemot

Think back to the Septembers of your youth for a moment: Sure, you were sad to see lazy summer days come to an end, but the thrill of a new school year ahead took the sting away. Back-to-school shopping, new teachers, new friends—all of it was a welcome fresh start. And though you’re all grown up, experts say it’s common to still feel excited during back-to-school season. “The weather, certain smells, certain tastes—all of these things can trigger memories of earlier experiences,” says Julie Hanks, LCSW, a psychotherapist in Salt Lake City. “Come fall, some women feel the same type of anticipation they did as kids and might even unconsciously find ways to relive or improve upon the experience.” Even traditional Chinese medicine suggests we spend this transitional time of year preparing our minds and bodies for the months ahead. So to help you use this season to your advantage, we’ve taken everything you most enjoyed as a school-bound kid and updated it with healthy, adult twists. Here’s to an A-plus term.

If you loved: GOBBLING MOM’S BROWN BAG LUNCHES
Now try: PACKING YOUR OWN LUNCH
Even before celebrity chef Jamie Oliver had a say in school meals, our parents knew how to make us eager for lunch. “Lunches were made with TLC, included new foods, were fun to share and kept us full,” says Sue Moores, R.D., a St. Paul, Minn.-based dietitian. “Stick with those same tenets, and they’ll keep you from ditching your lunch in the office fridge and heading to your favorite fast-food place on your lunch break.”
When packing your midday meal, include an interesting mix of shapes, textures, flavors and temperatures—and introduce at least one new food, like a seasonal fruit, dried wasabi peas or even a dark chocolate truffle. “The goal is to hit high flavor points that stimulate the tongue and brain, so you won’t need to eat as much to feel satisfied,” says Moores, citing crunchy, whole-wheat bread topped with smooth spicy hummus as an example. Also, get your brain and belly anxious for lunch by curbing your midmorning snack. “If you need a nosh, have something at least two hours before lunch and limit what you eat to two food groups,” Moores says, suggesting dairy and fruit (like Greek yogurt with strawberries), or a fiber-rich carb and vegetable (like whole-grain crackers dipped in guacamole).
To make a meal, Moores recommends filling your plate with 50 percent vegetables (or a mix of vegetables and fruits), 25 percent protein and 25 percent whole grains. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners recommend warming soups loaded with lean, nourishing meats to help your body adjust to the dip in temperature and also help bolster your immune system, preventing colds and flu. It turns out lunch is also ideal for a coffee kick: A new Brazilian study shows that women who drank at least one cup with lunch were a third less likely to develop type II diabetes over several years than noncoffee drinkers. Just be sure to sip before 1 p.m. for a good night’s sleep, as caffeine stays in your body for up to 12 hours.
Since the American Dietetic Association says 70 percent of us brown bag it at our desks two to three days a week—and a 2011 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found that eating at your computer makes you prone to overconsumption—make time to have your lunch with a few work pals every now and then. Storing lunch in the latest BPA-free stainless steel tiffins, wood or stainless steel bento boxes and reusable insulated lunch bags keeps food fresh. If you don’t have a fridge at work, freeze your drink, fruit and bread the night before and add an ice pack. Never let perishables sit out for more than two hours at room temperature, and after two days in the fridge, toss any leftovers—they’ll be full of bacteria and a potential source for food-borne illnesses.
If you loved: MAKING NEW PALS
Now try: BROADENING YOUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
It was always exciting to meet new classmates, and school made it easy to grow those relationships in school plays, sports teams and recess. “As kids, we’re always growing and socializing, but as adults, that evolution can stall if we don’t purposely support it,” says Amy Johnson, Ph.D., a social psychologist in Chicago. Bringing people into our lives exposes us to new ideas. Friends also stave off loneliness and offer support and advice (and new friends often offer a fresh take on stuff you’ve been analyzing with your old pals for years). No wonder studies show that having friends helps fight the blues, inhibit chronic disease and increase longevity and late-life mental acuity.
Research suggests we “catch” the moods of others, so bolstering our social circle with new faces also directly affects our happiness, generosity and kindness, says Caroline Adams Miller, MAPP, author of Creating Your Best Life (Sterling). She notes that the best time to meet new pals is when you’re feeling upbeat, optimistic and inspired. To that end, Miller suggests figuring out when you shine, and then finding groups and settings that let you do this. “You’ll naturally attract like-minded people to you when you’re at your happiest and most authentic,” says Miller. Concerts, yoga retreats and knitting stores all tap specific interests and offer a chance to connect.
To build a bond, Johnson says you should first get over preconceived notions of how friends should act, and replace them with stuff known to make relationships strong—things like listening and talking. A 2010 University of Michigan study found that talking to other people, the way you do when making friends, can also improve memory, self-monitoring and the ability to suppress external and internal distractions—all of which are essential in solving common life problems.
If you loved: BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING FOR THE LATEST LOOKS
Now try: SPRUCING UP YOUR WARDROBE WITH KEY ORGANIC PIECES
The annual September trip to the mall to buy a few special outfits— including a cool look for the first day of school—is achildhood memory most of us share. Now, we tend to buy clothes as we need (or want!) them. But style experts agree that no matter how often or infrequently you go shopping, fall is a great time to take stock—and do a little revamp if necessary. This season, multifunctional designs (think: drawstrings and reversibility), transitional looks and easycare sustainable garments that help reduce excess energy and water consumption and eliminate toxic dry cleaning are popular trends.
When shopping organic, it’s more essential for some fabrics to boast the eco-friendly label than others. “Organic cotton is most important, because cotton crops are normally cultivated with harmful herbicides, pesticides and toxic petro-chemical fertilizers,” says Howard Brown, co-founder of Stewart + Brown, a sustainable fashion line. Hemp or linen, however, is not a certified organic fiber because it’s naturally resilient and grown without the aid of herbicides and pesticides. Because few of us choose to stock our entire wardrobe with organic clothes, opt for organic fabrics for items that will be worn close to the skin (such as camisoles, T-shirts and jeans). Another health-friendly detail: Look for brands that pre-wash their clothes to eliminate harmful contaminants and allergens, such as chlorine and formaldehyde, which may be used in the dyeing process.
Finally, opt for eco-conscious brands if you want to know that farmers, workers and the environment aren’t exposed to toxic chemicals during the creation of your clothing and that the companies are part of the solution in creating a healthy world for children and future generations. “It feels good to know nothing was harmed or exploited to produce your clothing,” says Brown.

If you loved: RECESS
Now try: UPDATING YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE
From four square to a simple game of tag, recess was always full of variety. As an adult, changing up your workout can feel like a hassle or risk, but it pays to make the effort to do it. “New routines exercise different muscle groups and help prevent repetitive strain injuries from doing the same exercise over and over,” says Jeffrey Rossman, Ph.D., director of Life Management at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass. He says even small changes yield big results: For instance, adding just 10 minutes to your cardio routine lets you burn an extra 135 calories. “Do that every day for a year and you’ll lose 13 pounds.”
According to Jill Harris, owner of Informed Body, a Pilates studio in San Francisco, when you’re physically challenged with a new routine, you also think about moving your body in a new way—from staying intently focused on each movement to holding your posture differently. The mental perks are pretty great, too. For one, you get a rush of accomplish ment after pushing through a new challenge. Fresh activities also keep your brain sharp, says Rossman, stimulating the brain to create new neural networks, especially when you’re forced to be fast on your feet (think tennis, martial arts or dancing).
If you start exercising with other people, the rewards are even greater. In groups, we share and receive encouragement, feel part of a community and experience accountability. “Working out with others also helps us transform exercise into play, which reminds us of the joy we had running, jumping or playing with our friends before we were told it was ‘exercise,’ ” says Rossman. Fitness disguised as play is effective, too: An hour of swimming and playing pool games is no different than splitting time between light weights and moderate cardio. Prefer to boogie? Thirty minutes of dancing burns up to 400 calories.
If you loved: BUYING NEW BINDERS, FOLDERS, CRAYONS, PENCIL CASES …
Now try: ORGANIZING YOUR DESK
Remember how great it felt to get a new Trapper Keeper and start the school year with a tidy cubby? Sorting through a messy desk is a great fall ritual. Ask yourself three questions: Do I love it? Do I need it? Do I use it? “An organized and efficient space helps you have a clear head,” says Deanna Radaj, owner and integrative lifestyle design consultant with Bante Design LLC in Franklin, Wis. “It’s essential to being efficient and feeling inspired.”
Sarah Welch, a Tarrytown, N.Y.-based organization expert and co-author of Pretty Neat (Seal Press), says to start organizing with an inbox tray and/or letter or file holder with three compartments for urgent, toss and file-away mandates: “If you’re prone to pileup, the fewer choices you have to make about where paper should go, the more likely you are to file it away.” Next, she suggests a mediumsized station for desk accessories with multiple compartments to hold scissors, paper clips, pens, USB flash drives and the like. If you use folders, Radaj suggests matching colors to feng shui principles. For instance, purple folders can hold bills, because the color means wealth and abundance; yellow, which represents well-being, can store health insurance info. Strive to be eco-friendly—print as little as possible, and choose recycled and natural materials like felt, reclaimed wood and steel for accessories.
Best rule of thumb? Every item on your desk should have a job. “The more noise, the harder it is to concentrate on your work,” says Welch. So if you collect mugs, don’t display them; choose one to hold pens. Also opt for functional esthetics: a pretty paperweight, or a plant to improve air quality, especially near a server, fax machine, inkjet printer or copier. An English Ivy or spider plant near your computer will reduce the air’s positively charged ions, Radaj says.
If you loved: NEW TEACHERS, SUBJECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN A GOLD STAR
Now try: SETTING GOALS AND LEARNING SOMETHING NEW
One of the reasons you adored scoring a smiley face on a math test as a kid isn’t so different than why you’re inclined to take a cooking or music class now: Both reinforce how good it feels to set and achieve goals. Amy Osmond Cook, Ph.D., contributing author and editor of Full Bloom: Cultivating Success (Sourced Media Books), says the most compelling reasons to try your hand at something new are increasing stimulation, growing self-esteem and finding activities that improve our quality of life.
So which course is right for you? Lynn Robinson, life coach and author of Listen: Trusting Your Inner Voice in Times of Crisis (GPP Life), recommends listening to your gut when deciding whether to sign up for accounting or art history. “One way intuition communicates is through enthusiasm,” she says—so if a course description gives you butterflies, take a cue from your younger self. “Kids have clearer ideas about what makes them happy—they’re willing to try new things and take risks without too much thought,” says Robinson. While she suggests taking classes that expose you to new ideas and people, if you’re out to retain info, don’t simply audit the class: A 2011 Purdue University study found that taking a test is vital to learning.
If you’re into setting goals outside the classroom, begin by taking small steps. “Starting with the basics allows us to make a big, new goal more manageable and keeps us from feeling overwhelmed,” says Robinson. Next, write down your goals, post them in a high-traffic area where you’ll see them, and discuss them with people who will hold you accountable. Finally, don’t be afraid to put a little blood, sweat and tears into getting to your end-goal. Says Robinson, “Tell yourself daily that sacrifice means giving up something you want for something you want more.”