Spas Add Years to Your Life

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Did you know that April 16th is
National Stress Awareness Day? Coincidence that it falls the day after taxes
are due? I don't know, but spas can help. ISPA's research shows that the No.
1 reason people go to the spa is to relax and relieve or reduce stress. Here
are some other facts on stress:

-- 1/3 of Americans are living with extreme stress and nearly half
believe
their stress has increased over the past five years. (American
Psychological Association)
-- People who go for a single deep-tissue massage reduce their blood
pressure by seven points. Over time, lowered blood pressure can add
six
years to your life. (Journal of Alternative and Complementary
Medicine)

-- By 2020, the top five diseases will all have the underlying
contributing
factor of stress. (World Health Organization)

Dealing with your stress today can help prevent stress-related illnesses
(heart disease, stroke, depression) tomorrow. "There's quite a bit you can
learn at a spa to help reduce stress," said Dr. Brent Bauer, director of the
Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic. "Things like
meditation, acupuncture, massage and guided imagery - the right answer is to
find what fits for you and incorporate it on a regular basis."

"Spas are not about luxury, they're about teaching healthy living; they're a
place where people can get tangible results and work on overall well-being,"
said ISPA President Lynne McNees. "So many spas are offering great ways to
help you manage your stress that it's easy to find a spa experience that fits
into your budget."

A sampling of the stress relieving treatments offered by ISPA members during
April include:

-- Saybrook Point Inn & Spa's Calming Combo includes your choice
of any 50-minute massage with a scalp treatment or foot massage. $99
Mon-Fri (CT)
-- Skinsational Skin & Body Spa offers free mini-massage or
mini-facials from 11a.m. - 1 p.m. Mon-Thu (CA)
-- Relache Spa has a De-Stress for Less package with a massage, facial or
manicure/pedicure combo. $99 (TN)
-- Le Boe European Day Spa's Tax Stress Relief Package includes
60-minute aromatherapy massage, 15-minute face and scalp massage and
15-minute reflexology. $130 (FL)
-- The Founders Inn & Spa's Stress Less is a 50-minute massage and
50-minute pedicure. $99 Mon-Thu (VA)
-- The Spa & Fitness Club at South Coast Plaza is offering
complimentary lunch and 25% off all services and retail on April 16th.
(CA)

-- The Spa at Ballantyne will offer free seminars to help combat stress
from 4 - 6 p.m. April 16th. (NC)

For a complete list of ISPA members offering stress relieving treatments
please contact ISPA, and visit www.experienceispa.com to find an ISPA member.

About ISPA
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and
voice of the spa industry. www.experienceispa.com

CONTACT:
Megan Newquist, International SPA Association
1.859.266.4374 and megan.newquist@ispastaff.com

SOURCE International SPA Association

Megan Newquist, International SPA Association, +1-859-266-4374,
megan.newquist@ispastaff.com