But FIRST, check out my guide to all things skincare:
...and it’s not a beach!
Last week I was fortunate enough to enjoy a 45 minute session at Salt & Soles, a unique wellness haven in Nashville. The owners of the studio, Connie and John, built a powerful and beautiful cave in their space made of authentic Himalayan pink salt bricks and other local materials. When I entered the cave, I was surrounded by salt on in the walls, salt scattered on the floor, and salt lamps around the room. Talk about relaxation! Not only was I exposed to salt in my physical space, but they also have an incredible machine that filters super fine, pharmaceutical-grade salt into the air, allowing it to easily pass into our systems so that we can all reap the benefits of salt therapy.
Speaking of which, what exactly is salt therapy?!
Basically, it is a holistic treatment that is used for a variety of reasons. One common reason someone may benefit from salt therapy is if they struggle with allergies, congestion, or sinus issues. If you’re like me (aka someone who gets colds often), then you know about nasal irrigation saline rinses (like a Neti Pot)...salt therapy takes away the water and acts faster while adding relaxation to the experience. Additionally, salt therapy can help to aleve symptoms from bronchitis, asthma, allergies, stress, anxiety, ear infections, acne, psoriasis, eczema, fatigue,insomnia, migraines, snoring, and MORE!
To get into the science just a bit (#NerdAlert), salt has negative ions which can bind to positive ions in the environment and in our bodies. Basically, this leads to a super relaxing and de-stressing effect where our bodies’ nervous systems are put into the calming parasympathetic circuit and any harmful positive charges and electromagnetic vibrations are cancelled out.
While I sat in the reclining chair surrounded by a pink glow, tasting the salt on my lips as I meditated and zenned out, I received a 45 minute reflexology session. Think: fancy, pinpointed, intense foot massage. Using organic and beautiful oils, Connie stretched, massaged, and worked through tension in my feet. The ancient practice of reflexology is used to alleviate energy blocks and relieve inflammation or negative pain in organs throughout the body with the use of pressure points covering the feet...pretty freaking cool if you ask me! She helped to explain why I may be feeling a bit bloated in my upper stomach and showed me where my feet needed the most work.
When it comes to health and wellness, I absolutely love learning about new practices, resources, and people! I also really love prioritizing relaxation time - this happens daily at home and on special occasions when I’m excited to treat myself and become immersed in a spa-like experience. No matter the self-care habits that you choose and maintain, absolutely choose SOMETHING! Leaving Salt & Soles, I felt completely renewed, revived, happy, and light. My shoulders settled away from my ears, I walked with my head held higher, and I slept like a BABY that night. Needless to say, I will be returning to Salt & Soles, and I hope that you can too if you’re in the Nashville area!!
**this blog post is sponsored by Salt & Soles**
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