Tips To Getting A Better Nights Sleep

We all have those nights where you are tossing and turning all night long so it seems like you slept for maybe a total of 2 hours. This is fine if it happens every once in a while but when it starts to become a reacquiring thing, it might be time to reevaluate some things. Here are some tips on things you can do to help get a better nights sleep.


1. Get On A Schedule.
Now this doesn't mean you have to go to bed and wake up at exactly the same time every day but get close. Start by going to bed at the time you normally start to feel tired at. This will start you on a normal time to fall asleep at. When you wake up in the morning, if it is on your own terms (no sudden awakenings) then this is your body's way of saying you have had enough rest. If you wake up from your alarm clock and you still feel tried and groggy, you may want to set an earlier bed time. Also, if you tend to take naps, limit them to 20 minutes or less. It will make falling asleep easier rather than harder.

2. Controlling Light Exposure. 
You want to get as much light exposure during the day and the least amount at night. This helps to keep your days and nights separate. During the day, enjoy the natural sunlight as much as possible. Whether it is going for walks, opening curtains or just going for a drive to help make you feel more alert. During the night, limit your lighting. When its time for bed, eliminate any light you can, it makes your brain think its time to sleep then.

3. Exercise Regularly.
People who exercise regularly will have a higher metabolism and more energy throughout the day. Any amount of exercise will help, but it takes time for you to see results. It is better to exercise in the morning or afternoon because your body takes time to calm down after an exercise. It is best to exercise 3 hours or early before you plan on going to bed. 

4. Eating & Drinking Right.
Eating and drinking right before bed can keep you up at night. Avoid eating anything heavy for 2 hours before you plan on going to sleep. You should also try cutting down on caffeine, not drinking alcohol before bed, and avoid drinking too many liquids before bed. It will make you have to get up more in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Some good snacks to have before bed that will help you sleep are turkey, bananas, granola with milk or yogurt, and whole grain or low sugar cereal.

5.  Get Massages.
Massages not only relax your muscles and mind but they promote overall health for your body. By getting a massage once a month, you will relieve any stress and tension that you place onto your body which makes it harder to relax. It will help to relax and clear your head so there are less thoughts to keep you up at night. After a massage, your body will be more energized and clear so you will be able to accomplish more. You can visit us at Aphrodite Spa & Salon to start receiving massages.

Try out some of these tips to help get your sleep back to where it needs to be. It won't happen right away and you may need some extra help but it is more a shot.

~aphrodite

Foods To Keep You Healthy

You are what you eat. Eating healthy can help to heal your body inside and out. Sometimes they are the best remedies for cold, flu or even to help prevent diseases. Foods have so many nutrients and healing properties that some people don't even know about. Here are some great foods to add into your diet and there positive effects.


1.  Oysters. Oysters are great for someone who doesn't get enough zinc in there diet. To get your daily value of zinc, eat one cooked or 2 raw. 

2. Flax seeds. Flax seeds are high in fiber, and can be added into any meal. Just sprinkle a few on to a salad or in some squash soup for an added crunch. They are also rich in omega 3 and antioxidants, which can help, reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. 

3. Edamame. Edamame is very high in omega 3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation. It’s also a great aid in preventing depression and heart disease. You can just sauté them up in a little butter and salt for a great snack.

4. Beans. Beans are one of the best sources of fiber and can be incorporated into many casserole or crock-pot meals. They help soak up excess cholesterol before it can stick to the walls of your artery walls and cause a blockage. They are also a great antioxidant. 

5. Garlic. Garlic is a great killer of germs, because its main component is allium sativum. It is full of antiviral and antibacterial properties. Garlic is an easy adds to any dish, just press a bit and stir it into a sauce.

6.  Blueberries. Blueberries are higher in antioxidants then most other fruits and berries. They are great in helping prevent urinary tract infections by prevent bacteria from attaching to the walls of the blatter. They also help soften dry skin. Just add a few to your yogurt or eat a handful as a snack.

7. Papaya. Papaya is high in vitamin a, (like most tropical fruit) which stimulates antibodies and helps to fight infections. They also help control inflammation. Add some slices into a fruit bowl or into a smoothie if you are sick to help fight it off.

8. Yogurt.  Yogurt is full of probiotics and calcium. One serving of yogurt is enough calcium for the day! Probiotics help fight off harmful bacteria’s that can cause illness and infections. So try adding a cup of yogurt into your daily routine to help prevent asthma, infections, cancer, and any gastrointestinal issues.

9. Shiitake Mushrooms. Shittake mushrooms can help reduce inflammatory proteins and enhance t-cell function. This combination helps improve your immunity. Mushrooms are not something everyone loves, so they are sometimes harder to incorporate into food. Try adding them to a pasta dish, or even simply switch to a can of cream or mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken.

10.  Oats. Oats are a great addition into your daily yogurt or you can eat some oatmeal. They taste great and can help lower blood pressure as well as cholesterol. Studies have shown that if you eat 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal or oat cereal a day, it can lower your cholesterol by up to 5% and reduce your risk of a heart attack by up to 10%. So listen to those cheerios commercials and start eating more oats!

11. Brazil Nuts. Brazil Nuts are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat out of those mixed nut tins. You can eat 1 nut a day, that is rich in selenium, which is need to help make the immune system function properly. 

12. Broccoli. Broccoli is an easy addition into any dish because it tastes good raw and cooked. It has sulfur compounds that increase our enzyme production that helps to detoxify cancer-causing compounds. 

13. Eggs. Eggs are full of vitamin a, d, b12, b2, b6, and k as well as, protein, calcium and zinc. Eating one or two eggs with breakfast in the morning will help keep you fuller longer. They are pretty much full of any nutrient you can need, so if you are lacking something in your diet, just add one egg a day.

14. Spinach. Spinach is full of vitamin a, c and k. It also has tons of vitamin e, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. It can be added into a salad or even a smoothie. Its high in flavonoid and when it is eaten every day it can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 40%. 

 
15. Mixed nuts. Mixed nuts are a great source of protein, and are easy to add into any diet. Just a handful a day, and you can live up to 2 years longer then non-nut eaters. 

16. Oranges. Oranges in the fruit or juice form are extremely high in vitamin c. If you ever feel like you are getting a cold, then drink some juice or eat an orange to help give your immune system an extra boost.

Quick Cold Fixes. 


Can't sleep? Eat some cherries or drink cherry juice. It helps promote melatonin’s that well help you fall asleep.

Coughing? Add honey to your tea or to a piece of toast. Honey will help to ease the dryness of your throat and suppress the nerve fibers that cause the coughing.

Can't Breathe? Add some peppermint to your water or tea. The menthol helps dislodge mucus and phlegm. It also helps an upset stomach. 

Cold?  Add some licorice extract to some water. It has antiviral properties to help ease your cold symptoms.

Try any of these great foods out and see how much better you feel inside and out. Have a beautiful day and Happy Thanksgiving.

~aphrodite

Spa Etiquette (What Not To Do)

As a follow up to the last post on what to do at a spa or salon. Here are some things you should not do.

1. Don't show up late or not show up at all.
This is one of the worst things you can do. Most stylists or therapists work off of commission or booth rental. This means that they only get paid for the people they work on. So if there is nobody in that time spot, they don't get paid for that time. Every time you show up late you are costing them money, and setting them back. Leave an extra 15 mins early and arrive early for your appointment. If you need cancel, don't do it 2 hours before your appointment time. If you must cancel on the day of, do it early in the day so they can try and fill that open time spot.

2. Don't answer your phone during a service.
Answering your phone during a facial or a massage is not ideal. You would not appreciate it if the person working on you took a personal call during your service time. Turn your phone on silent while you are getting a massage or a facial. If you are expecting a phone call, just let us know we are usually very understanding.

3. Don't leave without tipping.
Tipping your stylist, nail tech, massage therapist or facialist is the same as tipping your waitress. By you not tipping, you are saying that you hated what we did. You should tip 15-20% of the total service bill. So if you buy products, tip of the amount before the product purchases. Tipping under 15% means you also weren't very satisfied with the service, so always keep that in mind.

4. Don't drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol right before a massage or facial.
When you get a massage and facial, the movements help to circulate the blood which can make the alcohol and caffeine go through your body quicker. Drinking pop and alcohol also dehydrates you so you are more susceptible to passing out. It also makes your skin dry and your body more jittery. Stick to water before and after so you stay hydrated.

5. Don't barter on prices.
This may seen like a weird thing and most people don't experience this but is does happen often. Just because a price says "starting at" this does not mean it is going to be the actual price. Everything depends on time, the amount of work needed, if any services were added on and if extra product is needed. Most places tell you how much things are going to be before they do them on you, so when you come to pay the bill, don't argue with the receptionist and try to get a lower price. They are just doing there job.

6. Don't wear make-up for a facial or massage appointment.
Wearing make-up for a facial or a massage really is pointless because its going to be taken off during the facial and during the massage, it usually smears and comes half off onto the face cradle. So to save you the time, just come without make-up and apply it after. 

7. Don't wash your hair.
Don't wash your hair the day of an appointment for hair, massages or facials. For hair services, color and styling for up-dos stays better when you wash the hair the day before. As for massages and facials, they normally do a scalp massage during both services, so if you come in with your hair done it will just get messed up.

8. Don't bring your kids. 
Unless there are no other options, they are getting something done, or your let the business know before hand, don't bring your kids to an appointment. There is really nothing for them to do, and the staff isn't there to babysit. Most kids do not want to sit and wait 3 hours for you to get your hair done. Its best to leave them with the sitter.

9. Don't talk about your last hair/massage/nail/facial place.
It's plan and simple, we know you aren't at your last place for a reason and you are now coming to see us. Whether its good or bad, we really don't want to know. All we care about is that you are coming to see us now, and that you love us so much you keep coming back. 


These are some of the things not to do in spa etiquette. If you don't do these things, the spa or salon you go to will love you even more then they already do, your appointments will go smoother, and you will leave much happier. 

~aphrodite

General Spa Etiquette

In every place of business there are certain things that you should and should not do. If you have never been to a spa before,  you can be unsure of some things that are expected and not expected of you. Here is a basic list of things that you should do at a spa.

1. Always Be Early.
Being early means different things to different people. Some people think being early means being on time for an appointment, while others will be 20 to 30 minutes early. Most spas just ask for you to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. If you are a new customer, the 10 minute mark is when you should arrive. At our spa each new client fills out some sort of paperwork for the service they are getting, and enjoys some of our refreshments. When filling out paperwork, write as nice as possible. If you are a repeat client, 5 minutes early is plenty of time. 

2. What To Wear.
We recommend on wearing something that you are going to be comfortable in and that is easy to get in and out of. If you are getting your hair done, wear something with a lower collar. If you are getting a pedicure, wear carpi's, shorts, a long skirt or dress, or pants that are easy to pull up. They usually do some sort of leg massage. For massages and facials, you can wear anything you like. We recommend not doing your hair, because you usually receive a scalp massage.

3. What To Do In The Facial/Massage Room.
The therapist will go over with you on what to do. Most rooms provide a place where you can put your clothes. Undress to your comfort level (portions of you will be covered at all times so you do not feel exposed) and lay face down under the sheets/blankets with your face in the cradle at the end of the bed. Remove any jewelry and hair accessories. You can put your hair up in a hair band if you would like. When the session is complete, the therapist will give you a few minutes so you can take your time getting up and getting dressed.

4. Tipping. Always be sure to tip at the end of any service. Some places do include the tip in the service price, so you can always ask if the tip is including. Normal tipping for services is 20%. And like in waitress', you can tip more if you enjoyed yourself very much. 

5. Communicate.
If there is something that you want the therapist or stylist to do or not to do be sure to let them know. Every person is different, and we do not assume anything. We all do things a little differently, so you may enjoy one person more than another. We are here to serve you, if you are hot, cold, or the music is to loud we will adjust this things for you. If the pressure is too much, let us know.

 6. Cancelling or Rescheduling.
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment you should contact a spa 24 to 48 hours before your appointment. It gives us a chance to refill that spot. Some places will charge 20 to 50% of the service price for no shows or last minute cancellations, so be sure to try to do it in a timely manner. We do understand that emergencies happen.

7. Drink Plenty Of Water.
After a massage or any type of body treatment you should drink lots of water to rehydrate your self. There is a lot of movements that help to loosen up your body and drain your lymph's, so you need to be sure to replenish them after your service.

8. Relax. 
Most importantly we are here to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. You have to let your mind go and enjoy the moment. Turn your phone off, so the time that is spent here can be completely focused on you and you only. Our clients are our #1 priority. If you are not happy, we are not happy.

I hope we have the pleasure of meeting you and being able to work on you one day. Enjoy your next spa or salon experience.

~aphrodite

Hot Trends For Spring of 2015

Every year a new phase of whats in and whats out comes out. Sometimes new favorites come in and some trends transfer over from last year. Here is whats hot in hair, nail and make-up trends for this spring.

Braids
Braids have been a hot trend for the past year. Change up the type is whats in for spring. The classic french braid is back, along with different braids like the fishtail or five strand braid. Braids have been all over the runway this season, so if you ever need some inspiration check it out!

 

Negative Space Nail Art

Negative space nail art was a trend that started back in the fall of 2014, and has now went huge in 2015. It is a nail design that covers part of the nail and leaves the rest open. You can use nail tape to design which part you want bare and which part you want painted. This can be done using any regular type of nail polish and any color so go crazy! 

Red Lips

Forget all the rave about wine and fuchsia colored lips. This season its all about the reds! Especially this hot new red-orange color. Normally its all about the eyes, but this is the season for lips! And brightly colored ones. So if you are looking to try out a hot new lip color, this is it.

 

Top Knots (Undone)

Top Knots have been the in hair style since the summer of 2014. This spring, its still top knots, but its more of a messy, undone top knot. So if you have some fly aways or your top knot isn't perfect, then its perfectly okay. The undone top knot, has been the go to hairstyle on all the biggest fashion shows, so why can't it be the go to hairstyle for you?

 

Nude Mani

The shiny, matte, clean nail look is what we are talking about for nude nails. You can go for a buffed nail, a shiny or matte top coat, or a light shade of pink or beige to complete your nail look. Its perfect because it matches any outfit, or occasion. Its also perfect for the women who is always on the go and doesn't like it when her nails chip.

Low Pony

Is great to have a simple look that works for multiple occasions and that is easy to achieve. That is what you have with the low ponytail. It works for a business, casual, day or night look. The low pony is a nice change up from the high pony that was in last year. If your a quick on the go girl, then this is the hairstyle for you.

Fresh Faced
The hot make-up look for the season is the fresh faced look. The fresh faced look is the perfect combination of moisturizer and foundation that gives your skin a flawless look. You can add a finishing powder to give that extra finished look and to seal everything in. Keep it simple with a light coat of mascara and a glossy lip balm to complete your look.

 

 

These are some of the hot runway trends for spring of 2015 that can be perfect for everyday life. Try out one of these trends today!

~aphrodite