If your New Year’s resolutions include taking better care of yourself, then you should also consider including a trip to the spa. To some, this idea might seem absurd, as we tend to think of spas as excuses to pamper ourselves, not institutes of health. It might be a good idea to reflect on the origins of the spa concept and how it has been adopted in the United States.

Like all things American, we’ve taken a relatively simple concept and created a culture. Spas are no solely longer about soothing mineral waters. They’re about pedicures, manicures, facials and massage. We have day spas, spa resorts, weight loss spas, maternity spas and romantic spas. There are spa books, spa videos, spa products, spa recipes, spa magazines and spa schools. We’ve come a long way from the original springs of heated mineral water in the town of Spa in Belgium, and similarly, we’ve somehow forgotten that the original intention of a spa was to provide for the restoration of health. For centuries, Europeans have touted spas as necessary, medically sanctioned facilities that make a difference for people from many walks of life, men and women, young and old, and people across a range of income levels (see our list of spa packages and promotions for a list of discounted and more affordable spa offers).

It also helps to consider the spa’s place as it relates to the mind. We go to spas to nourish, revitalize and care not only for our bodies, but also for our mental well being. We know that the body and mind are not separate entities, yet we often hesitate to make the connection that our feelings and thoughts can become enmeshed in our physical sense of being. Just as psychotherapists assist with emotional healing, there is validity to the notion of a therapist who can help to revitalize the body, as well as the mind and soul. If you can see the spa experience as a holistic experience and begin to explore its potential as such, the results may exceed your expectations.

Going to a spa should not make you feel guilty or self-indulgent; you are doing something good for your body and your mind, which also affects the kind of energy you send out into the world. So the next time you think about a visit to a spa, approach it mindfully, remembering the origins of the spa. The benefits you reap from the experience can depend on what you bring to it. However, you don’t have to jet off to Baden-Baden in the Black Forest or to Bath in the Southwest of England to rejuvenate for 2003. If you are fortunate enough to live or work in downtown Bellevue, you can visit one of the many fine spas and massage therapists right here.

Please visit our downtown Bellevue spa packages and promotions page.