To Labor or Not to Labor?

Held the first Monday in September, Labor Day constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Let this September 5, 2011 be a celebration of your commitment to hard work by rewarding yourself with a little well-deserved relaxation time.

Day spas all over offer a wide variety of ways to relax and unwind. For most, the ultimate way to create that Zen-like feeling is through massage. There are so many fabulous techniques, including the traditional relaxation massage where the therapist applies slow, long strokes with light to moderate pressure over your body helping you drift off into peaceful rest.

Or maybe deep tissue is what helps you work out the kinks in order for you to relax. Venture outside the norm and try a Hot Stone Massage or Bamboo Fusion. These techniques require the therapist to use heated river rocks or bamboo as a tool used throughout the massage. The heat helps to bring you to a deeper relaxation faster than a traditional massage. Just be sure you’re ready for this one, it could cause drooling.

What ever way you choose to relax, just be sure to honor Labor Day for its true meaning.

Local spas that offer massage techniques include:

• Venus and Mars Day Spa: try this Westchase spa for a massage using lava stones. Print their new customer coupon for $10 off. (11614 Countryway Blvd. Tampa, Fl; 813-814-9104)
• The Body Bar Spa: let go of tension with a deep tissue massage here. New customers get $10 off any service of $50 or more. (11013 Countryway Blvd. Tampa, Fl; 813-814-1202)

Kelly Seeley and Tylene Headley are founders of spa50.com, the authority on Tampa Bay area day spas and online resource for spa owners and spa-going consumers.