Spa Going and the "Whole" Person?

Are you spa-going these days? It seems like they're becoming as abundant as Walgreens and CVS pharmacies. (Although here in Bradentucky, "spa" is a new word, still being dissected and discovered.)

Frankly, I've never been the type to want others touching my face, painting my nails or screwing with my hair. And I can buy my own organic cucumbers to put on my crow's feet. According to an article in yesterday's Sarasota Herald-Trib, "These days, if a spa is not catering to the whole person -- encouraging wellness, stress reduction and mental clarity -- it is probably falling short." Oh really? That's a huge breakthrough! And a great added bonus for spa-goers in today's economically-challenged society.

Two short points:

• Maybe I should reconsider spa-going. I am a poster child these days for needy when it comes to wellness, stress reduction and mental clarity. I don't recall getting that phone call asking me to pose for some glossy spa slicks.


• The economy sucks. If you're still going for regular spa treatments, surely you aren't in a position to be that stressed...at least not compared to the rest of us.

The way I see it, I could have someone trained in manicures and massage tell me how to balance my life for an hour, or I could fill up with gas so that I can get to work this week. Or eat out a couple of times with the fam. This weekend, I think I'll stop by Home Depot, pick up some cheap landscaping stones, microwave them and ask the husband to line them up on my back.

I visited Aspen some years ago and stayed with a psychiatrist. Evidentally, he did have patients there. Yep. People who find stuff to work through emotionally but who don't happen to work, ski 4 times a week and live in the lap of luxury.

Tell me again...why do we have so many spas in Sarasota? And who is going there all the time? Get real!