My Top 10 Self Care Chicago Secrets
After battling the wintertime blues with a case of strep throat followed by an impromptu ski trip to Canada, I could use a pick-me-up! If you are anything like me, you do not relax easily. I am a doer– I like to be active, whether that means running around with my kids, spending time with girlfriends or seeking a new adventure. I’m always looking for the next thing in self care, however sometimes it takes a backseat to other priorities. This might be why I find myself getting sick relatively easy these days.
I've decided to listen to my mind and body, and prioritize myself. Although I’m fully committed to self care, it does not mean my normal day-to-day stops. With that in mind, I have put together a list of activities that are easy to incorporate into a full schedule.
1. Watch The Goop Lab with Gwynth Paltrow series on Netflix- Paltrow brings her wellness brand, Goop, into your home with the new Netflix series The Goop Lab. The documentary show takes an inside look into Goop, and Gwynth and her team investigate challenging wellness topics. I promise you will learn a thing or two.
2. Cryotherapy with Freeze & Float- Before heading into the office, I will run over to Freeze & Float Spa for a quick Cryotherapy session. Whole-body cryotherapy takes less than 3 minutes to decrease inflammation, release toxins and boost the body’s immune system. This short burst of super-cooled air is the best way to wake up the body and release those much-needed endorphins.
3. AIRE Ancient Baths- To completely decompress after a long day, AIRE Ancient Baths is the place to find peace. With the signature Ancient Thermal Bath experience, you have 90-minutes to enjoy the different pools ranging from hot to cold temperatures, including steam and salt baths. Hot waters are ideal for relaxing the muscles and joint tension, while cold waters reactivate blood circulation. AIRE is open until 11pm on weekdays.
4. Invest in a Peloton Bike- For $58 per month + a $39 monthly subscription fee, you can workout from the comfort of your home. Not only can you have access to Peloton’s live weekly classes, but also filter workouts by class type, length, music, intensity level, instructor and more. This piece of equipment can do so much that you will never get bored with your workouts.
5. Leah Chavie’s HydraFacial with Lymphatic Therapy- As I have mentioned in previous posts, the HydraFacial is a perfect fix for dry and dull winter skin. With the addition of lymphatic therapy, this treatment not only restores the skin but also detoxifies and removes unwanted fluid build up. Lymphatic massages have become increasingly popular because it is the key to healthy, glowing skin. How does it work? A unique, gentle facial massage (using HydraFacial technology) promotes the lymph node to drain, improving lymphatic circulation and blood flow. This 30-minute treatment leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
6. Pause Massage- We have all experienced that feeling of our body crying out for some sort of tension relief (especially after falling multiple times during a recent ski trip). My favorite go-to for a great massage, at a reasonable price, is Pause Massage. Using their mobile app, it is easy to book an appointment for the same day. Treatments range from 50 to 110 minutes, and they are open until 9pm.
7. Green Circle Wellness Clinic- Invest in your overall health and wellbeing with this integrative holistic approach to healthcare. From functional medicine to hormone therapy, Green Circle offers a variety of services that will target your individual health concerns. The clinic is led by Dr. Dina Pavilonis and her team, who are committed to you and your overall health.
8. CHILL Meditation + Yoga- 30 minutes of gentle yoga followed by 20 minutes of guided meditation and 10 minutes of shivasana is the ultimate combination for stress relief. This CHILL class is 5:30pm-6:30pm, Monday through Thursday.
9. Acupuncture- Aligned Modern Health offers a variety of wellness services including acupuncture. Acupuncture improves the body’s overall function and promotes self-healing. At Aligned, this treatment is used to help with a multitude of synonyms including anxiety and depression, stress, joint and muscle tension, migraines, digestive health, allergies, painful menstruation, pregnancy-related synonyms, and more!
10. Hydration Therapy + Vitamin Shots- At IV ME, you can opt for both hydration therapy and vitamin shot. Hydration therapy ensures that your body is getting the hydration, vitamins and nutrients it needs to look, feel and operate at its best. You can also receive vitamin shots to improve mood, energy and overall health. When I need a boost of energy, I will get a B12 shot that also helps with improving the immune system and metabolic rate.
Whatever self care means to you, commit to it. Your mind and body will thank you.
XX,
MD