The Evolution of The Day Spa Day Spa Visits Becoming More Routine as Services Become more Affordable and Available

If it seems like day spas are suddenly everywhere -- they are.

There are more than 6,300 spas in the United States compared with about 2,000 five years ago.

According to a 2001 survey by the International Spa Association (ISPA), more than 81 percent of respondents said they planned to visit a day spa within the year.

If this is the case, it certainly will not be difficult to find one.

Over the past few years, day spas have emerged in large urban areas, suburbs, and shopping malls, offering a range of treatments created to calm the body and mind. People are more stressed out than ever before and are increasingly looking for convenient ways to decompress without taking time off to travel to the edges of the earth in search of peace and serenity. Therefore, day spas have taken a larger role in peoples' lives and continue to reinvent the way people deal with stress by offering more affordable spa services in shorter amounts of time.

In response to customer demand, more and more salons are introducing classic day spa services into their menus, allowing people to integrate pampering and relaxation appointments into their regular routines much the way they accommodate visits to their hairstylists.

Routine Relaxation This idea of making relaxation routine is Gretchen Monahan's vision. Founder of the Grettacole Salon and Day Spas in and around Boston, Monahan has grown her salon business from one hair and nails operation in 1995 to three full-service salon and day spas that have earned "Best of Boston" accolades three years in a row.

"I wanted our guests to have a regular place to come to pamper and decompress," said Monahan. "Seeing a familiar face for facials, massages, nails, and even fashion really makes a difference and can make people more comfortable about taking care of themselves."

"We're not trying to be a resort spa, we're very much an urban day spa and we understand that services here are created and designed based on our client's hectic schedules and lack of time," she said. "You cannot accommodate people in a timely way without asking questions. We really listen to our clients and are continually creating new offerings and promotions that make it easier for them to plan time for themselves..."

Monahan said she hopes her day spa will become a relaxing sanctuary that her clients feel comfortable escaping to regularly to unwind, beautify and take care of themselves. As an added perk for her guests, Monahan recently introduced fashion into her day spa repertoire, offering high end designer fashions and consulting services for her guests. .

"I see fashion and style as a natural extension of the day spa experience," Monahan said. "Helping people devise their own style and put their best foot forward will ultimately help them feel better about themselves, both inside and out."

Psychological Benefits of the Day Spa Experience The psychological benefits of looking good and taking care of yourself can be far-reaching if integrated into a routine of relaxation and beauty, according to Chris Parrott, a BPS Chartered Counseling Psychologist and author.

"Often times when I am treating patients with low self esteem or a negative self image, I will ask them to come to their next session dressed as if they were going to a job interview," Parrott said. "The transformation is amazing. They carry themselves a bit higher; there is a spring in their step. A simple thing like dressing up and taking care of the way they look makes them feel better and elevates their mood."

"One of the important things that we forget is that there is a definite link between our mental and physical states," Parrot added. "Numerous studies have proven that people who are depressed or stressed out are more likely to catch colds, have heart attacks.

Particularly in America, we're always on the go. We work so hard that we forget about keeping an eye on our entire self. Sometimes taking time out for yourself is frowned upon. The irony is that people who take time to relax and pamper are often more focused and productive. Visiting a day spa is something that can be worked into a routine and repeated visits can teach you to appreciate yourself, your own body and the positive strength within it.

Day Spa Education Jennifer Maner, spa director for Gadabout Salons & Spas in Tucson and a member of the ISPA Board of Directors said she believes spa experiences will continue to grow in popularity as healing escapes from the hectic world but says there is a way to go before day spas become as second nature as salons.

"I do not think spa going has become as integral as salon visits quite yet but spa owners have a very committed goal to educate our clients enough to get them there," Maner said. "If we can teach our clients to create home spa moments, we help them promote wellness and an understanding that spa experiences can be an affordable routine and are worth the time."

By Kate Jackson