March 20th is Happiness Day

• We all interpret the simple yellow circle with dots and a curved line, the smiley face symbol, as a universal symbol of joy and happiness. An annual event organized by the United Nations to promote the idea that feeling happy is a global human right, the International Day of Happiness takes place each year on 20th March and even though we have undergone a global pandemic, continuous political turmoil, and an ongoing cost of living crisis. All leaving us feeling increasingly stressed, anxious and upset, we are still going, putting one-foot Infront of the other, eternally resilient, forever hopeful.

• Since stress is so common, you may wonder if it really is possible to become free from it? While that may seem hard to achieve, there are definitely things you can do to reduce stress and anxiety levels that do not really need a great deal of time or money. Here are a few ideas you can try to reduce stress and start to feel calm quickly.

• B vitamins for stress support it’s a good idea to give your meal plan a facelift to ensure it includes good amounts of vitamin B-rich foods, such as whole grains, legumes, dark leafy vegetables, seeds and nuts. Making this a habit can help lift your mood and reduce the mental fatigue brought about by stress. Visit the Leonardo Spa and try the ROLLS ROYCE iv infusion from SesAesthetics: More Vitamin B’s

• Physical activity Exercise causes a spike in endorphins, one of the happiness hormones. To achieve a lower stress state, the key is to be physically active regularly. The type and frequency of exercise depends on your preference and overall health status. By practicing mindfulness while you are exercising you can be more present, more aware, and more receptive to how you're feeling and the reality that surrounds you. You can then feel the many muscles in your body keeping you in balance with every step, and if you can get a chance to do this outdoors, marvel at life around you, connecting with nature is important for our mental health. Move more feel more

• Body relaxation Consciously relaxing your body, or even parts of it, can slow down your heart rate, lower stress hormone levels, and boost confidence in your ability to cope with problems. Some techniques you want to try for advanced muscle relaxation is an aromatherapy massage. This is a loving take on the most luxurious massages, with the power of smell to release muscle tension and improve your mood. At legacy Balance Spas you can pick the essential oils that matches your values and vibe, and go from there! Or melt away the tension (literally) with a hot stone massage. The result? A healing, grounding experience with an immediate relaxation effect… and more

• Experiment with essential oils Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years and by now we are all aware of the power of aromatic herbs and their role in well-being. It’s by no chance that the organs responsible for our sense of smell are directly connected to the parts of the brain linked to emotions, so exposure to certain scents can have a positive effect on mood and help reduce anxiety. Lavender essential oil has been widely studied for its ability to induce calm, and it seems effective in the short-term treatment of anxiety and restlessness so it’s a good idea to add a few drops to your bath time when feeling anxious. And when next you visit your Spa, ask your Spa therapist to include jasmine, bergamot, basil, rose, and frankincense in the aromatherapy massage for a stress-free hour of bliss. PS. Join us for a 20% happiness discount on all our services on the 20th March including ALD and SesAesthetics.

• Happiness This month with a full body 60 Mins Aromatherapy massage and mini pedicure to sooth and energize tired aching feet! Package Time 90 Mins for R 950 Available for the month of March 2023. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.