Goodbye summer, hello fall! Fall is officially here, and as hard as it was saying goodbye to summer, we can’t deny that we aren’t pumped for the many features of fall. From the cool breeze, beautiful colours, all things pumpkin spiced, all the way to fashion, the list of pros go on and on. This year, we’ve got one more reason added to the list- fall 2021 is (finally) bringing a bit of normalcy and routine into our lives.
After our year and half-long hibernation, our return to society is certainly a cherished change. But our changing schedule also means that we’ll have to proactively squeeze in wellness and self-care into our fall routine. Gorgeousness aside, the season is notoriously synonymous with inertia, cold and flu. So, a healthy dose of self-care is sure to help us walk in and out of it with renewed energy and self-love.
To put together this guide, we teamed up with the experts at Cedar & Steam. As you might already know, they are Calgary’s very own European-inspired day spa. Their range of de-stressing and rejuvenating treatments are a perfect reset for the body, mind and soul. Moreover, Cedar & Steam is providing Calgarians with ultra-luxurious spa experiences and holistic wellness, without the hefty price tag. So, let’s dive in, shall we?
Enjoy daily sunrise (or sunset) walks & views
Sunrises and sunsets in Calgary during the fall and start of winter are nuts- from intense pink cotton candy clouds, to red, pink, orange and yellow skies with a massively orange sun. While the stunning sky views single-handedly brighten up your mood, the walks let you get in your daily step count and enjoy the fall colours. Whether you stay in the city and walk around the Glenmore Reservoir or Fish Creek, or decide to head to the mountains to check out the larches, there’s no lack of spectacular views insight. Plus, embracing change is a healthy way to live, so watching the seasons change can be somewhat of a cathartic experience. All in all, a great way to foster your physical as well as mental health.
Get a massage on the regular
Yes, massages feel great but they do more than just make us feel pampered. The feeling of elation and wellbeing you feel after a massage is not psychological, it’s physiological. Massages trigger the release of endorphins (the world-is-beautiful hormone) and keep stress hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine (the my-life-sucks hormones) at bay. The latter incidentally also impair our immune system. Then there are a slew of other pluses including improved blood circulation, pain relief, stimulation of the lymphatic system, etc. As it happens, no matter your need, Cedar & Steam has a massage for you.
Melt away all things bad with Infrared
There’s a reason celebs (think the likes of Jennifer Anniston, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Zac Effron among others) are raving about infrared sauna. It’s because Infrared goes above the usual detoxification, skin cleansing, tension release and adds anti-aging effects, weight loss stimulation and even reduced risk of heart diseases to its long list of benefits. Instead of heating the air around, the infrared actually heats up your body making it the coolest sauna ever (literally and figuratively). Plus, the Infrared Sauna at Cedar & Steam actually has a dark and soothing ambience that will melt away all your stress.
Rejuvenate with ‘Hot Sauna Cold Plunge’
The rejuvenation benefits of cold therapy on our body, mind and soul are no secret anymore, thanks to Wim Hoff, aka The Iceman. While he sure popularised the concept, cold therapy, in reality, is ancient. The ‘Hot Sauna Cold Plunge’ combo is one that holistic wellness gurus swear by. A cold shower or dip right after a heated infrared doubles the benefits of both. The only problem is, that a cold shower at home is nothing short of torture. At the spa though, since you’re hot and sweaty from the sauna, it comes as a refreshing relief. Now, imagine a therapeutic massage followed by 40 mins of infrared sauna and a cold plunge. Now, imagine the level of detox and de-stress. That’s Cedar & Steam for you ladies and gentlemen. Oh, and their massages come with complimentary 2-hour steam/sauna and showers.
Experience the magic of aromatherapy
Like massages, heat therapy and cold therapy, aromatherapy comes with its own set of wellness-boosting effects for body, mind and, inevitably, the soul. While there are some benefits that are still pending scientific proof, the one that no one ever questions is its ability to cast a profound calmness. One way to bring fall flavours into your living room is through diffusers, of course. The other is to club the sleep-inducing and stress-relieving effects of essential oils with a relaxing massage. Obviously, the pleasure and feeling of wellbeing you feel is twice as much. Just FYI, Cedar & Steam has introduced three new essential oils as part of their fall inclusions- clove, fennel & orange. Might as well take advantage of it!
Do a Digital Detox
Now this one is kind of tricky because frankly, we (yes us included) might just die of FOMO. But the only way to truly re-energize your mind is to give it a break from the constant stimuli that our devices come with. The ideal way would be to put away all devices for a couple of days (even a week, if possible). But let’s face it, that’s a far-fetched dream. What we can do is put them away for a few hours each day. And no, sleeping hours alone don’t count.
Well, that’s our list guys. Now, before you rush off to add these things to your fall routine, we suggest that you book your saunas and massages at Cedar & Steam in advance to avoid the rush. You can book your appointments here. Oh, and have a happy fall!
Cedar & Steam
Where: 12445 Lake Fraser Dr SE #102
