Pulse December 2018 | Page 36

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON (CONTINUED FROM PAgE 32) Purposeful Self-Care Tips for Winter Self-care might be something frequently preached in the spa industry, but its practice is far more uncommon. According to the 2018 ISPA Spa Workforce Study, spa managers, directors and operators frequently work 45-50 hour workweeks, and nearly one in six employees left their previous employer due to a poor work/life balance. Don’t think that you can’t practice self-care in winter just because the temperature is lower and the skies are bleaker —in fact, the season’s emphasis on bundling up inside with friends and family make it a great time to take time for yourself. Use these tips to help stay focused, purposeful and energized for the entire winter season. Start a Goal Planner Keeping New Year’s resolu- tions is tough; make it easier by setting up a goal planner before January comes. Whether you make your own or use one of the many options available in stores—popular options include PowerSheets, the Passion Planner and the SELF journal—a goal planner makes it fun to organize your life while helping you notch out time for the things that really matter. 1. Visit the Spa Most spa managers, directors and operators could stand to have a good massage. In fact, a Snapshot Survey in 2014 found that the average ISPA member only gets one or two treatments per each month, despite themselves being advocates for the benefits of spa. This winter, take time to be mindful and enjoy a day at the spa being pampered and reconnecting with yourself and with others. If you’re worried about not being able to get your mind off of work, don’t be afraid to visit a competitor’s spa in your 2. Interested in more research-proven holistic health strategies? Pick up a copy of The Integrative Guide to Good Health, co-written by ISPA’s Medical Advisor Dr. Brent Bauer. 34 PULSE ■ December 2018 by jaMiSon Stoike area. When receiving a treatment at your own spa, you may find it difficult to fully unplug and enjoy the experience, says William Myers, regional director of spa for Chuan Spa at the Langham Chicago. Going to a different spa could allow you to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Change Your Tech Habits Daymond John is a big advocate for the power of unplugging, despite his high-powered role as an entrepreneur and business guru. Changing your tech habits can lead to a more fulfilling life, but it’s tough to quit cold-turkey. In his keynote address at the 2018 ISPA Conference & Expo, Daymond suggested staying off the phone for the first hour after you 3.