Spa Space Blog

Self-Care: Staying Active when the Temperatures Dip

We all know that self-care is essential to handling the stress and strain of life in the pandemic. Getting a regular massage at Spa Space of Chicago is definitely one way to care for yourself. Staying active and exercising is another.

If you are like us, you have probably been out walking the dog, meeting friends at the park or just stretching your legs and getting some fresh air on your lunch break. Being able to get out and enjoy the great outdoors has been such a blessing during these challenging times.

But, in case you hadn’t noticed, the temperatures are starting to drop. And going for a long walk might not be as pleasant in the middle of a Chicago winter as it was in the summer. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the health (physical and mental!) benefits of exercise.

Indoor Activities

There are ways besides shoveling snow to burn some calories and release some endorphins when the weather is just too cold to even think about going outside unless you absolutely have to. It doesn’t have to be trendy, it doesn’t even have to be pretty! Just find something that works for you and get up out of your chair.

Here are 2 ideas to get you started:

1 – Take the Stairs

You might not be able to get to the Stairmaster at the gym, but that’s not a problem if you have stairs in your house, your apartment building or even where you work.

2 – Let the Music Move You

The roads are too icy for dancing in the street, but there’s got to be some room somewhere in your home for you to bust a move. Put on the music you love and sway, salsa, twist or shake and shimmy. You’ll get your blood flowing and chances are you’ll put a smile on your face.

If you have indoor activities that are part of your self-care regimen, let us know. Here at Spa Space, voted the best spa in Chicago, we always love trying out new ideas.

Popular Pandemic Hobbies

Have you been baking sourdough bread? Catching up on your reading? Did you take up gardening over the summer? If so, you are not alone. Those are just a few of the hobbies that some of the amazing people who work at our day spa in downtown Chicago took up before we were allowed to reopen at the end of August.

People all around the world have been spending a lot more time at home this year due to lockdowns and quarantining as well as safety concerns. That left millions of people looking for a way to fill the time while they waited to go back to work or school and millions more who continue to seek entertainment at home until concerts, theaters and clubs make a comeback.

Popular Pandemic Hobbies

The folks at NerdBear conducted a survey to determine what we have been doing to keep ourselves occupied in the age of Covid-19. They surveyed 750 Americans and looked at Google Trends to determine the most popular hobbies in the U.S. during the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the survey, some of the most popular hobbies are:

• Watching TV and movies
• Reading (In fact, they report that “1 in 2 are reading to pass the time.”)

and

• Working out (The interest in home workouts is five times more popular than it was at the same time last year,” they said.)
• Arts and crafts and
• Playing board games

And, while we aren’t able to do much socializing in person, they found that, “People are using the time at home to connect with friends and family more.”

In fact, according to their survey, more than 25 percent of us say that we are talking to our friends and family more these days.

Staying connected and keeping busy are both great ways to reduce the stress we are all dealing with. So is getting a therapeutic massage at Chicago’s Spa Space!

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Discover Reiki

As you may have noticed when you visited Spa Space, we are one of the most innovative day spas in Chicago. We love being able to offer you a wide variety of spa experiences.

Reiki, which is considered a form of energy work, is not a new practice. It has been around since the 1920s. But it has only recently begun to find its way into spas as part of a wellness practice. It is even being used in some health settings.

What Is Reiki?

“Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing,” the International Center for Reiki Training tells us. “It is administered by ‘laying on hands’ and is based on the idea that an unseen ‘life force energy’ flows through us and is what causes us to be alive.”

The word reiki reflects the Japanese origins of the practice. Rei is the Japanese word for life force and ki is Japanese for energy.

“If one’s life force energy’ is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy,” the experts at the International Center for Reiki Training say.

Johns Hopkins Medicine is among the medical institutions that are recognizing that reiki can play a part in an integrative approach to health.

“Reiki is a very specific form of energy healing, in which hands are placed just off the body or lightly touching the body,” they say. “In a Reiki session, the practitioner is seeking to transmit Universal Life Energy to the client. The intention is to create deep relaxation, to help speed healing, reduce pain, and decrease other symptoms you may be experiencing.”

If you would like to know more about reiki, call Spa Space of Chicago at 312-465-5987.

A Massage for Your Pandemic Pal

Your regular appointment for a massage at Spa Space of Chicago may be on hold, but that doesn’t mean that every member of your family has to go without the benefits of a therapeutic spa massage.

Are you among the many who have adopted a dog in the weeks and months since Covid-19 turned our lives upside down? If so, we are so happy for you and your new family member! And we thought you might be interested to know that your dog may enjoy the benefits of nice a massage just as much as you do.

Dog Massage Therapy

“Massage does wonders for dogs,” Becky Brandenburg, B.A. ED., ESMT, CMT, an Ohio-based certified animal massage therapist and owner of Brandenburg Massage Therapy, told PetMD. “Full-body massage keeps the muscles moving and conditioned—touch can truly be healing.”

If your dog does not need professional massage for a medical condition, there are simple techniques you can use yourself that will help you form an even deeper bond with your pup. And chances are your dog isn’t the only one who will enjoy it.

“Not only is massaging your pet of benefit to them, but it is also of benefit to you,” Dr. Rachel Barrack, a New York City-based veterinarian and founder of Animal Acupuncture, told PetMD. “Studies have shown that petting a dog or cat can lower heart rate and blood pressure. Touching your pet will also cause your body to release oxytocin, a hormone that causes sensations of bonding and love.”

To get started, check out 4 Simple Dog Massage Therapy Techniques from PetMD.

Granted, you may not be as good as the massage therapist at Spa Space (how do you think we earn the top ranking among Chicago day spas year after year?), but we are sure your dog will think you are the very best.

Spa Space Is Back

You can’t imagine how happy we are to tell you that our Chicago spa is once again open for business! There will be changes to the way we do things, of course, but you can be sure that we will still go above and beyond to earn your trust – and to maintain our standing as one of the most innovative and one of the very best spas in Chicago.

We would never do anything to jeopardize your health and well-being as well as the health and wellbeing of our staff, so you can be sure that we will be following the safety protocols put out by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health organization) and updating our own procedures as needed.

We are not taking any chances! Everyone on our team is aware of our commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of hygiene throughout our downtown Chicago spa. (Seriously, we are cleaning like crazy people!)

We ask that you be respectful of the public health guidelines, too. We will be requiring our guests to wear face masks. If you have even mild cold- or flu-like symptoms, we ask that you please stay home to help protect others. If you need to cancel your appointment for any health-related reason, don’t worry. We will waive the 24-hour cancellation fee and will look forward to rescheduling your appointment when you are feeling better.

Safety Procedures

Here are just some of the safety protocols we will be introducing to ensure your health and safety:

• Temperature and symptom check for all guests, staff, and providers.
• Extended clean-up time between services to ensure proper sanitation with EPA-approved disinfectants
• All team members will wear face masks, face shields and, when appropriate, gloves.
• Team members will follow CDC guidelines by washing and sanitizing their hands before and after all services
• For a limited time, we will not be performing Hot Stone or Couples Massages. Facials and Hydrafacials are also not available at this time due to city restrictions.
• Our lockers, robes and steam rain showers will be unavailable for now. We are also suspending the spa lounge area and the snack service for now. Please bring your own water.
• Our seating throughout the spa has been comfortably spaced out for social distancing.
• Our air ducts have been cleaned and we’ve installed UV Air Purifiers.
• Service Fee: a 20% service fee will be added to all treatments.

For more information, check out our safety commitment or call Spa Space in Chicago at 312-465-5987. Thank you for your continued support and loyalty! You are the best!

Downtown Chicago Is Heating Up

Downtown Chicago is heating up, because that is what urban centers with lots of surfaces made up of concrete or asphalt do this time of year. But don’t worry, everything is cool in downtown Chicago’s Spa Space!

Why are we so chill? Well, first of all because we have the air conditioning running, but more importantly, it is because we are preparing to welcome you back!

It’s Time to Celebrate

Before too long, we will be being able to off all of you poor stressed-out people in Chicago our signature massage treatments, facials and other spa experiences – and we couldn’t be happier. We are making sure our facility will be safe for you and for our amazing staff and will be implementing safety protocols that meet or exceed CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

But there is even more to be happy about this month.

Welcome to Air Conditioning Appreciation Days, which run from July 3 through August 15 – which just happen to be the days when you are most likely to really appreciate your a/c!

As we mentioned, downtown Chicago – like all major urban areas – is what meteorologists calls a heat island.

“A heat island occurs when a metropolitan area is significantly warmer than the surrounding countryside, according to a city of Chicago glossary of emergency weather terms,” the Chicago Tribune explains.

“Different materials absorb and store heat from the sun in different ways, and an urban heat island can occur in a city heavy on materials that best absorb heat from sunlight.
For example, the steel, concrete and blacktop so prevalent in downtown Chicago absorb more heat from the sun than do materials found in nature, such as trees, soil and water.”

If you want to keep your cool as we head into the hottest weeks of the summer but don’t want to be stuck inside appreciating your air conditioning, be sure to stay hydrated. The lakeshore is always going to be a few degrees cooler, so that might be a good option.

We can’t wait to see you at Spa Space, voted Chicago’s best day spa!

Mixing It Up at the Spa

Have you jumped on the baking bandwagon? If you have had enough of sourdough, we have a fabulous – and fabulously easy – banana bread recipe that one of the amazing massage therapists at our Chicago spa found.

The recipe is from Holly at Spend with Pennies and it has a surprising ingredient… mayonnaise! “I know it may sound a little bit strange, but mayo is made with oil and eggs which are basically staple ingredients in any quick bread,” Holly says. Her tip: “Be sure not to overmix or it’ll be dense and chewy instead of soft and moist.”

(BTW she also has a recipe for a Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. We‘re going to try that next!)

Easy Banana Bread

PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOK TIME 1 hour
TOTAL TIME 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 medium bananas mashed
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or dressing
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In a bowl mix together mashed bananas, mayo and egg. In a separate bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and pecans
3. Add flour mixture to wet mixture and stir just until combined. Note: The mixture will be very thick, do not over mix
4. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Remove from pan and allow to cool completely.

Recipe Notes

You really want your bananas to be super ripe. If yours aren’t covered with spots, Holly says, you can ripen them if you, “Quickly bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes. Cool before using.”

She also says:

• Avoid adding extra bananas, this can make the bread too dense.
• As with all quick breads, do not overmix. Stir just until incorporated.
• Check your bread at least 10 minutes before the bake time is up.
• Line the loaf pan with parchment paper leaving about 3 inches of paper folded over the top of the pan for easy removal.
• To Make Muffins divide over 12 muffin wells and bake 14-18 minutes or just until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake.

Enjoy! Let us know if you make it and what you think. And we’d love to hear about any recipes you’ve discovered during lockdown!

And we want you to know that your friends at Chicago’s Spa Space are thinking of you!

Treat Yourself to a Spa Day at Home

We have heard from so many of you, telling us how much you miss visiting our day spa in Chicago. We miss you, too! And we are looking forward to the day when we can invite you back safely for a spa massage or facial in our downtown Chicago day spa.

But just because we can’t welcome you through our doors at the moment, it doesn’t mean we aren’t thinking about you or that we have stopped caring about you and your wellbeing.

That’s why we encourage you to treat yourself to a spa day without leaving your Chicago area home

How to Have a Spa Day at Home

Enjoying a spa day shouldn’t be a complicated production. That would totally defeat the purpose. Your spa day can be as simple as lighting a few deliciously scented candles and relaxing in a bath generously sprinkled with Epsom salts to ease tense muscles. For an added element, treat yourself to a face mask. (And maybe a glass – or two – of wine!)

Your sense of smell is a powerful tool. Put it to good use. You can skip the scented candles and evoke the essence of our Chicago spa with Spa Space Essentials. Not only will the essence of sage and lemongrass take you back to those spa visits you have enjoyed in the past, our signature scent was developed using botanically based products to revitalize your spirit, provide deep cleansing and nourish your skin.

The Spa Space Essentials line of products includes:

• Shower Gel
• Shampoo
• Conditioner, and
• Body Lotion

We also recommend the luxurious, naturally inspired skincare products from Privai, a woman-owned company based in Asheville, NC.

Whether you use the products you know and love from Spa Space of Chicago or simply pick up some indulgent skincare offerings from your local drugstore, we hope you enjoy your Chicago spa day at home!

Summer Skincare Tips from Spa Space

You know that it is really important to use skincare products that contain SPF, right? And here at Chicago’s Spa Space, we know that you know. It’s just that there are a couple of really good reasons to repeat the message, so please bear with us.

Normally, you might be enjoying a facial at our downtown Chicago spa, maybe on your lunch break. Of course, these days are far from normal. So many people are working from home during the pandemic. And if you are not even being going downtown to go to work, chances are you would not head downtown in Chicago to go to the spa for a facial.

Besides, it is still not possible for you to get a facial at our Chicago day spa – or any other Chicago spa.

On top of that, you are probably spending even more time outside these days. Most of us are. So, not only is your favorite aesthetician not assessing your skin and reminding you how important it is to use SPF every time you walk out the door, but you are also walking out the door a lot more.

Your Summer Skincare Routine

The sun feels really good on your skin, we know. And you should definitely get out and soak up the sunshine. Getting out for a walk, riding your bike or meeting friends at the park for a socially distant get together are all great ways to help you maintain both your physical and mental health during these challenging times.

The key is to do it safely. Honestly, you really can’t underestimate the importance of protecting your skin from the harsh rays of the sun.

So be sure that you are using a moisturizer or sunscreen that contains at least SPF 30.

If you are tempted to slack off, just remember that the day will come when you can enjoy a facials at your favorite Chicago spa (Spa Space, of course!) once again and, if you haven’t been good about using SPF, you won’t be able to fool us. Your skin will speak volumes.

Looking Forward to Spa Days

You could probably use a stress-relieving massage at Chicago’s Spa Space more than ever these days! But with Covid-19 continuing to dominate the headlines every day, there are still no spa massages in Chicago, and no facials, either. But you can definitely look forward to scheduling a massage at Chicago’s premier day spa – and, as it turns out, having something to look forward may be the next best thing.

As the pandemic continues to bring hardship and suffering to so many in Chicago, it’s easy to get depressed. Feeling blue is totally understandable, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to it.

Having something to look forward is one of many tools you can use to fight the blues.

The Benefits of Having Something to Look Forward To

You might not be able to look forward to a fabulous Chicago spa day, but there are things you can look forward to. And it’s important to make sure that you always have some of those things on your calendar.

Atlanta therapist LeNaya Smith Crawford knows that meditation and mindfulness are powerful tools with lots of benefits. “However, during particularly stressful moments in time, like our current pandemic, it can be more beneficial to have something to look forward to,” she told the HuffPost.

The benefits include:

• Having something to look forward to on your schedule gives you a reason to be optimistic about the future. “These days, you may have to come up with smaller treats to look forward to in the immediate future. Instead of the concert you were hoping to attend later this summer, think about the tie-dye kit that’s getting delivered tomorrow,” Kelsey Borresen posted on HuffPost recently.
• “Anticipation implies a future reward, and rewards are powerful motivators,” Smith Crawford told HuffPost. “Anticipation also creates discipline,” she said. “It helps with delayed gratification. This teaches us that if we can be patient, a greater experience — or reward — is upon us.”

Here at Spa Space, one of the most innovative day spas in Chicago, we definitely have something to look forward to in mind – seeing you again soon!