Bio Essence Serenity Spa - Break Stress, Literally!

These days, who doesn't need a thoughtful massage? With rising stress levels, everyone needs to head to a spa for a well deserved relaxation. But more than just relaxation, massages can literally break stress built up inside the body.



At the Bio Essence Serenity Spa, I indulged myself to a Shiatsu massage and my attendant Brenda told me that I have "nodules" on the back of my neck, shoulders, and back. I asked her what nodules were and it turns out that these are the tender parts I can feel on my shoulders. Usually mistaken as swollen nerves, nodules are really toxins built up on lymph nodes because of STRESS. Old folks call them "lamig" and nodules are the same reason why a person feels stiff, heavy, with lots of muscle and back pains.

Inside the massage area, where relaxing piano music and eucalyptus scent are present, I had these nodules massaged and you can really feel them breaking down into pieces. I tried to feel my back and it was lighter, I could easily move my shoulders and almost feel my body say aahhhh~ Their Shiatsu massage includes facial and tummy massage too! :)




The Bio Essence Serenity Spa in Connecticut Ave. Greenhills is one of the most stress-free spas I have been to. Everything is clean, on time, and professional. Since it was my first time, I quietly inspected everything:

1. Towels are fresh not reused
2. Bed sheets are clean as well as the pillows
3. Massage beds have clean head holes covered with fresh cottony sheet for comfort
4. Lockers are secure with key, located near the massage bed
5. Rubber slippers, robes, and shorts are provided
6. Comfort room is in the same massage area where a full length vanity mirror is available for fixing yourself up after your massage.
7. Different shower rooms for men and women

What I like most is that they know what a "dry massage" is and they actually have a procedure for it. For people with sensitive skin like me, massage oils can easily clog the skin so we have to opt for a dry massage. My attendant, Brenda used a clean towel on top of my skin and moved it around to the area being massaged. It was very hygienic and soothing at the same time.



The Shiatsu massage at Bio Essence costs Php 650, tips are not mandatory and you will never receive a mystery envelope after your session. Perfect! With only Php 650 you can also use their sauna and shower before your massage. They also serve refreshments before and after your treatment. Hot tea is recommended to effectively flush out the toxins from the body.

What are you waiting for? Give yourself a break and head for an affordable but enjoyable massage at Bio Essence. You can visit their website for their full list of services at http://bioessence.ph

Stressed? Go Bananas!

Who would not be stressed when the recession is affecting our lives including our closets? Here's a cheap and healthy way to get out of the rut - bananas!

If you don't know yet, bananas are big in Japan now because of a new diet fad called Banana Diet. Japanese girls are literally going bananas after an actress lost a lot of weight just by eating one banana every morning with a glass of room temperature water. Interestingly, a lot of Americans are also taking anti-stress vitamins whose component is found in bananas. Time to put bananas on the limelight!

Bananas are big in vitamin B6 and Potassium. A single serving of banana can give you 41% recommended Daily Value of vitamin B6 that allows your body to efficiently break down protein, fats and carbohydrates - thus, releasing energy when you feel under the weather. After all, we feel stressed when we have to do a lot more but don't have enough energy to do so.

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Vitamin B6 in Bananas also helps keep the immune system strong and your hormones balanced while allowing your blood to carry more oxygen to your tissues and organs including your brain. Hence, allowing your entire body to take a breather ~whew~

Aside from stress relief and weight loss, eating bananas can make your skin clearer. Studies show that Vitamin B6 that are found in bananas can fight off acne, carpal tunnel syndrome , and depression.

Potassium on the other hand, helps maintain healthy blood pressure and prevents hypertension. It's also used to treat patients who feel weak and lack energy. Bananas have 23% recommend Daily Value of Potassium.

So, aside from an apple a day, add one banana a day too! Not only would you eliminate stress but you'll also score a healthy, head-turning body.

Give yourself a Breather

Life is fast and the last thing on your mind is the way you breathe (yes!). But, before it is too late be conscious of your breathing patterns now because this simple action can reduce tension and make you look younger (yes! yes!).

In Yoga, proper breathing is essential as it releases stress and tension. This is true, and oxygen (like water) is an essential element for a healthy and beautiful body.

When you feel stiff, stressed or angered - stop yourself for a minute and take deep breaths for a minute or so. The proper way to breathe is:

1. On inhalation, your rib cage and belly should expand . You should inhale slowly and not pant. Take your time to inhale and make an echo-y sound as you do so. Inhale with your nose.

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2. On exhalation, your rib cage lowers down and the circumference gets smaller, your abdomen is also drawn in.

Try to do this even when you're not stressed out, for your health and beauty's sake. Breathing properly lets oxygen travel through your body, skin, cells, and organs. When you breathe out, carbon dioxide and other impurities are let out of your being, stress and negative energy included.

You will reap the same benefits that you get from oxygen treatments from the spas. Not getting enough oxygen into your skin causes reduced collagen and elastin production.

Never base your breathing on the way you feel. Control your breath as you want it to be, full, circular, and spacious. Find out that breathing can actually control your emotions and disposition, not the other way around.

More so, proper breathing gives you great body posture, stronger and more flexible abdomen and chest muscles, and a sense of confidence.