For Christmas this year I wanted to do something a little different for my team.  

​The pandemic has made this a challenging year for all.  As a business owner I had to learn ways to operate my business during COVID, and as employees they had to change the way that they work and make adjustments to the treatments that they provided, in order to keep our guests and themselves safe. Although we are still experiencing the ups and downs, spikes in cases, and all fun cancelled this year, we have been able to safely remain open.  This is good news for our supporting clients and even greater news for our team that we don't have to close again due to anymore shut-downs. 

This has been a stressful year full of unknowns and new norms. I know this year has been especially stressful and hard on my team. I really wanted to treat them and have them feel just how they make all of you feel every time you come see us at Bodyworks. So we ventured into Pensacola and had a Spa Day together. We each had a massage and facial followed by lunch together. There's just something about fancy robes and mimosas that make you forget the craziness of this year. 
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I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful team. We all worked through this year together and here we are only 11 days away from a New Year. We made it! 

Be well, 

Cindy
Owner/Founder/LMT

I started doing some research when I noticed I was breaking out only in the general area of where my mask covers. Sure enough, I found many articles just about this subject. I also learned a new term...Maskne. It's a fun word to say but not so fun when you experience it. Our skin care line, Eminence Organics also wrote a great skin care & beauty article regarding this one question.  Can our face masks be causing acne? 

It’s bad enough that hormonal changes, stress, excess skin oil and bacteria can trigger acne, even for someone well into their 40’s…I’m not giving away my age.  My daughter thought I was 28 until I had a surprise 40th Birthday party a couple years ago and my “Straight outta my 30’s” T-shirt my sister got me gave it away LOL. Maskne does not discriminate against age by any means!

Face masks have become the norm and although they offer us protection, they are not helping our skin with mask-induced acne and irritation. Masks impose heat, friction and occlusion on the skin and when combined with a moist environment from breathing, talking or sweating, this is a recipe for maskne. So why do face masks make you breakout and what can you do? 

WASH YOUR FACE AND MASK PLEASE!!!!  

Reusable face masks do require extra care.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages “regular” washing of reusable masks.  It’s best to wash them after each use if possible.  Masks that are reused can harbor oils and bacteria. They also trap heat and moisture against the skin, allowing bacteria to thrive, which can cause acne and irritation.  Being in the spa biz laundry is one of my least favorite chores at the office or home so I have stocked up on several different face masks.  I really love our breathable Onzie face masks that we have at the studio. They are reusable, washable, moisture wicking and in cute prints! Did you ever think we would be discussing how cute a face mask could be? 

TAKE MASK BREAKS

Get outside and take a break from wearing your mask. Get some fresh air and give your face a clean flow of oxygen. 

PREVENTION

International Eminence Trainer, Katie Rattray says the two most effective way to keep mask-induced breakouts at bay are to:

• Create a barrier between the skin and mask
• Stay hydrated

Mask seem to suck up and draw out any moisture from the skin.  Facial oils during the day will assist sealing in moisture and additionally creates a physical barrier from the mask.  It’s always better to prevent breakouts than to wait until they need treatment. 

Keep up with your morning and evening skin care routine. WASH YOUR FACE! Daily facial cleansing removes every last trace of dirt, excess oil, pollution and unwanted skin cells off of your face. DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT head straight to bed and skip cleansing your face. Cleansing your face twice daily will benefit the health, youth, and radiance of your skin.

TREATMENT

If you find yourself having mask-induced breakouts, our Licensed Estheticians are here to help you with ways to treat breakouts and irritations.  Sometimes all that is needed is a little adjusting to your skin care routine and products used.  For example, if you typically use a cleanser with exfoliating beads and harsh foaming agents, switching to a gentler cleanser that won’t compromise your skin and increase irritation may be helpful. 

DIY on-the-go cleansing pads!

How it works: Apply Stone Crop Cleansing Gel or one of your favorite Eminence exfoliating peels onto a clean cotton round. Seal it in a small bag or air-tight container and take it with you. Use it in the middle of the day to remove residue and cleanse where the mask has been in contact with and rather than scrubbing, gently glide the pad over the skin with minimal pressure.

Remember the 3 Ws of Maskne

• Wear a clean mask and give your face a break when outdoors.
• Wash your face in the morning and evening.
• When in doubt give us a call at 850-356-6311 and we’ll get you scheduled for a Complimentary Skin Care Consultation.

 
Be Well,

Cindy 
Owner/Founder/LMT

• Massage can help you sleep better. (Even if you don't nap during the actual massage.) Studies have shown that when you receive a hour-long massage, it equates to around 7-8 hours of sleep for your body. 

• Massage is safe in the first trimester of pregnancy (unless there are unusual health issues).  Some practitioners choose to not do it, but that's a liability choice. Benefits of prenatal massage include increasing circulation, promoting relaxation, preparing the muscles for childbirth, and enhancing joint flexibility.

 

• Receiving a massage while intoxicated will make you even more…well, drunk. While it may sound quite relaxing to have a glass of wine (or two) and then a massage, most massage therapists don’t condone drinking before a massage. Why is that? Well, massages boost the body’s circulation and if there is alcohol in the body it will circulate faster and stay longer in the blood stream. Yes, this might sound like a great idea to some of you, but what this can really mean is cancelling out the positive effects of a massage. It can also bring about numbed senses and an intensified hangover. 

 

• Even the smallest therapists can provide deep pressure. It’s not about size, it’s about the techniques we use!

 

• Your body may make embarrassing noises. Burps. Toots. Tummy gurgles. Don’t be embarrassed. They are simply the body releasing and relaxing as a result of the massage. Don’t feel bad about it. It’s a sign the massage is working. We can’t promise that we won’t giggle though…sometimes it startles us! LOL 

 

• Deep tissue massage, or any massage, doesn’t need to be painful to be effective. For reals!!!! 

 

• It’s OK to focus on certain areas of discomfort and not always get a full body session. If you only want your legs and back massaged, that’s fine, too. It’s your massage and you know what your body needs and it’s our job as your LMT’s to use the training and knowledge we have to give you the best results. 

 

• Your massage therapist loves feedback. We like to know if you hate having your feet touched, don’t like the table warmer,  or love having your scalped massaged. We like knowing if you prefer to start face down or face up.  PLEASE TELL US!!!!  It will help us customize your massage just for you. 

 

• When your back hurts, that might not be the only area that needs massage. Sometimes back pain comes from the hip, glutes, legs or even the abdomen. Speaking of glutes…

 

• The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body. Also known as your butt. It's not just for sitting on. As a whole, the glutes are responsible for a wide range of movements and for providing stability for your entire body.  Trust us when we say you don’t want to skip your gluteus maximus getting massaged.  It can help relieve lower back pain, reduce knee pain, and improve your daily activities.  

We always want to provide you the best massage in Perdido Key and believe that starts with good communication and listening to our clients.  We're always here to listen and answer any questions about massage. We love what we do and LOVE talking about massage and anatomy...just not during your massage of course.  

Contact us at 850-356-6311 or email bodyworksofperdido@gmail.com with any questions or ask us at your next appointment.

Be Well,

Cindy
Owner/Founder/LMT

After doing massage for over 15 years I’ve heard every genre of massage music. Relaxation, new age, harps, flutes, nature sounds, chanting, and white noise. 

I went through my Enya phase for about 7 years.  I still love playing her throughout the spa.  

I’ve had some wonderful request from clients for certain music during session. Everything from Prince, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffet, Wide Spread Panic, and Hank Williams Jr. Somedays we like to have a more mellow vibe with Jack Johnson.  We change up the music sometimes depending on the weather, mood, and the clients we know we’ll be seeing.  

There have been somedays the music is so in tune with our work and there are days 20 minutes of drums come on with some crazy opera.  It’s always interesting.

I think music plays a big part of your relaxation experience. Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies. A slower tempo can quiet your mind and relax your muscles, making you feel soothed while releasing the stress of the day. Music is effective for relaxation and stress management.

I recently read an article from the University of Nevada, Reno about releasing stress through the power of music.  

It states that Native American, Celtic, Indian stringed-instruments, drums, and flutes are very effective at relaxing the mind even when played moderately loud. Sounds of rain, thunder, and nature sounds may also be relaxing particularly when mixed with other music, such as light jazz, classical, and easy listening music. 

I don’t believe we can group each person into the same category of musical taste. Over the years what has been relaxing for one has not been relaxing for the next.  We all have music that we gravitate towards when we feel happy, sad, stressed, angry, or when we feel inspired and motivated.  What it comes down to is you must like the music in order for it to be relaxing to you. Personally when I get a massage if I hear anything with birds I instantly get annoyed and reminded of my Aunt Yolanda’s parrot, Pretty Boy.  He would wake me in the mornings by yelling at me and throwing bird seed at me when I would go visit her in NYC.  He would literally run on his little bird stick and toss bird seed at me. He once flew clear across her apartment to land on my stomach and run up my chest and bite me and fly away. I’ve never cared for birds since. My aunt loved that bird…he has since passed. RIP Pretty Boy even if you did give me a slight fear of birds. Forcing yourself to listen to relaxation music that irritates you can create tension, not reduce it. Not all relaxing music is created equal.

If you ever aren’t feeling the music playing at Bodyworks just let us know and we’ll try something new for you.  We would hate for you to have flashbacks of being attacked by a parrot during your massage or facial :) 

Comment on our blog and let us know what music relaxes you and makes you feel joyful and also the music that makes you want to change the station immediately.  

I’ve included a few links below with some great ways to use music for stress relief and to improve your mood.  

Be Well,

Cindy
Owner/Founder/LMT

https://chopra.com/articles/how-music-relieves-stress-and-helps-you-relax
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-use-music-for-stress-relief-3144689
https://askthescientists.com/music-stress-mood/

Clients with neck and shoulder issues often have their pain return before their next massage appointment. Work, play, children, and current events all make demands on the body. A dull ache can quickly turn into a burning pain especially while folding laundry, doing yard work, playing on the computer or any of the other million things you do.

What can you do between your professional massage appointments to take the edge off neck and shoulder pain? Here are some ideas.

Take a Break
Take short breaks as often as you can if you sit at a computer all day. Move your shoulders around and s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Ideally you can get up and move around a bit. But even if you're chained to the desk, you can rock out a little deskercise to stay loose.
 
Get the kids into it
Have a short yoga break together! There are plenty of videos made especially for kids, and the moves are just as beneficial for adults. Bonus: got a little one averse to naptime? Try the lying-down postures here and maybe you'll get a short break. 

Heat it 
Just 10-15 minutes of heat on your shoulders can make a huge difference in how your tissue moves and feels. You don't need a fancy heating pad, you can DIY that.

Self-massage
Try it, you might be surprised how much it helps! It's not complicated, just grab a tennis ball or a red rubber ball. Here are a few ideas for self-massage. 

Choose the right pillow 
You spend about a third of your time in bed, be sure it's cozy for your neck. Side-sleepers have different needs than belly-sleepers. The right pillow at night can help you all day. 

A few minutes of self care every day, little changes, can make a huge difference in how you feel. Call us at 850-356-6311 or schedule online.

We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment! 

Be Well,

Cindy
Owner/Founder/LMT

Thank you for choosing us each time, Perdido to give you only the best. 

Cindy 
Owner/Founder/LMT

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” – Buddy

Nobody spreads Christmas cheer quite like Buddy the Elf.  This holiday season we want to help you spread as much happiness and joy to all around you.  

We are offering a Buy $100, Get $100 holiday promotion!

When you purchase a $100 gift certificate you will receive 5 - $20 vouchers that can be used for yourself or they can be gifted to friends, family, and coworkers. 

We’re only selling limited quantities and anticipate they will go fast this season. 
In-house Gift Certificates only. Vouchers are not available online.

It's November and we are thankful for each of you.  We will be offering special deals throughout the month in appreciation. Check our Facebook, Instagram, and website often to see what specials we have for you.  

So don’t be a cotton-headed ninny muggins, start spreading some peace and calming vibes and holiday cheer this season. 

Be Well,

Cindy 
Owner/Founder/LMT

NO CASH VALUE.
GOOD TOWARDS SERVICES ONLY, NOT PRODUCT.
LIMIT ONE CARD, PER CLIENT, PER TRANSACTION.
FULL VOUCHER AMOUNT ONLY, CANNOT BE SPLIT.
NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTIONS, OFFERS, OR DISCOUNTS.
NO REPLACEMENTS OFFERED.
BODYWORKS OF PERDIDO KEY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST, STOLEN, OR MISPLACED VOUCHERS.
 EXPIRES 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF PROMO PURCHASE.



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