Women have a tendency to be givers. We give our time, energy and thoughts to others, whether our partners, children, parents, siblings, coworkers or even strangers. But if we want to keep ourselves in check both emotionally and physically, it’s important that we also give ourselves a little something.

If it’s not already built into the day to spend just a few moments doing something good for yourself, now is a great time to begin this wonderful practice of self-care. Luckily, we have an abundance of options for self-care here in the Tucson area. These lovely Tucson women tell us how they can help anyone unwind, de-stress and get back to our best, happy, healthy self.

Alternatives In Health Care Detox Therapy Spa Debbie Shaw, owner

What is your modality?

Detox wrap

How is this modality useful for self-care?

This is a sure-fire way to accelerate the detoxification process. The multi-step process uses nutritional cleansing, seaweed wrap, heat therapy (far infrared sauna), motion therapy (chi machine) and cleansing herbs in an herbal foot soak. You will go home with a dermal patch to continue the detoxification that cleanses the whole system.

How do you recommend readers begin using this modality?

This whole process is a service that Alternatives In Health Care provides. To add it to your self-care regimen, all you have to do is give us a call.

Why do you think self-care is so important?

I think that detoxification is a perfect way to give your organs a greatly deserved rest. Detoxing your body helps with weight and inch loss, clearer thinking, pretty skin and hair and just plain old better health.

Location: 1101 N. Wilmot Rd., Ste. 227, Tucson. Connect at 520-275-4510, [email protected] or DetoxTherapySpa.com. See ad, page 17. 

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Gayle Felbain/Mastery in Motion Certified teacher of Alexander Technique, Mindfulness Meditation Facilitator

What is your modality?

Body alignment, Mindfulness in Motion, Mindfulness Meditation

How is this modality useful for self-care?

I teach how to develop conscious awareness of your body alignment and its associated perceptions, along with learning to develop mindfulness in daily living. If we learn to become consciously aware of what it is we are doing, thinking and perceiving, at any given moment within ourselves, we can begin to retrain habitual patterns of movement, thought and behavior that no longer serve us and may be causing us harm. Until we know what we are doing within ourselves, we will not know how and what to change. Learning to listen, deeply, to our bodies and mind can give us great insight into what may need to change and how to go about doing it. It empowers us to become the masters of our health and well-being.

How do you recommend readers begin using this modality?

Every moment is an opportunity to be aware and mindful. It isn’t that you have to take time out of your life. It is about learning to integrate into everything you do. All it takes is a moment to pause, bringing your awareness to your body, feeling your feet on the ground. Continue to bring your awareness and attention to your body. Suspend judgment. Just observe your body. Now begin to notice your breath, breathing in and breathing out. Don’t force anything; just allow the breath to be gentle and easy. Think of it filling more and more of the space inside your body. Gently allow it to permeate any areas in your body that feel tight or stuck. Then gently bring your awareness back to your surroundings and keep doing whatever activity you are involved in. Attempt to do this several times during your daily routines.

Why do you think self-care is so important?

We have this life and this body/mind to work with. If we take care of it, we can experience greater ease, comfort and freedom within ourselves and in our lives. As we do so, we can have a greater impact on helping others in our life and the world at large.

Connect at 505-250-1223, [email protected] or GayleFelbain.com. See ad, page 11.

Pampered Skin Studio, Suzanne Pear, RN

What is your modality?

As a clinical nurse aesthetician and certified quantum energy healer, my focus is helping my clients to look and feel their best. Our skin, the body’s largest organ, often mirrors the body’s physical and emotional stressors. Examples include hormonal and inflammatory acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, traumas and life stress. I teach clients about basic skin structure, skin chemistry and diet, as well as the skin-gut and mind-body connections and skin health requirements.

How is this modality useful for self-care?

I spend time educating my clients so that they can understand their critical role in preventing and treating their skin issues and concerns, empowering them to have beautiful skin for life.

How do you recommend readers begin using this modality?

Through the initial consultative session and ongoing professional treatments where the customized home-care regimen is re-evaluated and reinforced, clients understand that 80 percent of any skin/health improvement is the result of a consistent, appropriate, customized self-care routine, including daily cleanser, toner, moisturizer and sunscreen with SPF 30 at a minimum

Why do you think self-care is so important?

The human body is usually very resilient. However, there is a limit to the abuse or neglect it will tolerate before showing signs of aging and disease. Age-appropriate, science-based self-care will make all the difference in how we look and feel now and for years to come.

Location: 5160 E. Glenn St., Ste. 150, Tucson. Connect at 520-400-8109 or PamperedSkinStudio.com. See ad page 13.

Tula Wellness and Aesthetics, Arianna Sholes-Douglas, MD, FACOG

What is your modality?

Hot baths

How is this modality useful for self-care?

It may seem strange, but the ritual of warm bathing is the most consistent habit of self-care I exercise. Just drawing up the bath water has the power to bring me to the present moment and be grateful for the moment I’m about to spend being still. Warm baths are scientifically proven to offer a number of health benefits, including but not limited to: lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, relieving muscle tension and even burning calories. Warm water offers the medicinal effect of dilating blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure, increasing serotonin levels and relaxing tense muscle. The increase in body temperature increases metabolism a well.

How do you recommend readers begin using this modality?

You should begin by just beginning. Decide if it suits you better to make this a morning versus evening ritual. Remember that it can take less time to bathe than it takes to shower. While you draw the water, take this time to check in with yourself and be grateful for this moment.

Location: 2404 E. River Rd., Tucson. Connect at 520-577-1129 or TulaWellnessMD.com. See ad, page 2. 

Watsu and Wellness, Jean Read, PT

What is your modality?

I offer restorative therapies like craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, lymphatic drainage, hot stone myofascial release, watsu, Pain Neutralizing Technique, Total Motion Release, dry needling and private physical therapy. We work together to meet your objectives for wellness.

How is this modality useful for self-care?

All of the above mentioned treatment techniques help alleviate tension, stress and pain within the body and improve normal movement patterns without stress. Some treatments are performed to create a deep state of relaxation, which turns off the fight-or-flight responses within the body.

How do you recommend readers begin using this modality?

Depending on one’s stress, pain or levels of dysfunction, just start with one treatment to see if it is helpful to your system. If you find the treatment achieves your goals, you may want to schedule future treatments based on your lifestyle, work or stressful activities to keep your body in a more relaxed state of being.

Why do you think self-care is so important?

We all wear so many hats today, between work and home, and our stress levels are higher now than ever before. Stress can cause such dysfunction within our bodies, even if we are eating well and trying to exercise. Do something helpful for your body and take time to give it some relief and support on a monthly basis, when possible. If you can’t afford a treatment, schedule some time for a hot bath, meditation, a walk in nature, sipping a warm cup of tea and conversing with a friend.

Connect at 956-566-5443 or [email protected]. See ad, page 15.