There’s nothing better than a spa day — sweating out your toxins in the steam room, melting all your stress away with a massage and indulging in some much-needed “me time.”
But, if you’re not careful, a day of pampered R&R could end with a trip to the doctor’s office.
Rosanne Joseph-Anthony, the founder and clinical director of Healthium Clinics, recently shared some common mistakes people make at the spa — and one particularly nasty habit that could land you in the bad kind of hot water.
Not wearing flip-flops in common areas
The biggest boo-boo? “Don’t get risk going barefoot in public areas,” Joseph-Anthony told UK e-commerce site Wowcher. “Pools, spas and saunas can harbor athlete’s foot and fungal infections.”
While it might be tempting — especially when the floors are heated — it’s just too much of a health hazard.
Footwear is especially important if you already have a foot condition, as being barefoot can exacerbate it and hard surfaces can cause plantar fasciitis — a condition that creates a painful sensation around the bottom of the foot near the heel.
If you’re already prone to pain in that area, it’s a good idea to ensure your footwear is supportive, and, if you have diabetes, it’s especially important to protect your feet.
“Individuals with diabetes should be particularly cautious about walking barefoot due to the risk of undetected cuts or infections,” she said.
And don’t forget to “always dry your feet thoroughly and wear flip-flops where necessary,” she advised.
Don’t spend too long in the sauna
You might feel motivated to really push your limits in the sauna to try to really reap all of those cardiovascular benefits — but doing so could be dangerous.
“Don’t exceed more than 20 minutes in the sauna,” she said.
Traditional saunas typically have temperatures that range between 150°F to 195°F, and overstaying your welcome can lead to dizziness, dehydration and — in the most extreme cases — a deadly heat stroke.
If you’re new to sauna bathing, Joseph-Anthony recommends starting at a lower temperature and taking regular breaks.
Don’t ignore dizziness
If you suddenly feel light-headed or overheated in a sauna, steam room or even during a treatment, don’t try to tough it out.
“Step out immediately and sit down if you start feeling unwell,” Joseph-Anthony said.
Ignoring these warning signs could lead to fainting or worse.
She also recommends avoiding the sauna if you’re pregnant, have low blood pressure or heart problems — and suggests consulting with your doctor before using a sauna if you have any health concerns.
One more thing: Make sure you stay hydrated, especially if you’re doing a lot of sweating.
“Aim for two to three liters of water per day at a spa, but also make sure you replenish electrolytes that you lose to sweat with things like coconut water or a balanced sports drink,” she said.
Don’t ignore pain when getting a massage
“Deep tissue massages can be intense but be mindful of discomfort beyond a ‘good pain’ threshold,” she advised.
Listen to your body, make sure you tell your massage therapist how you feel and share anything they might need to know before you start.
“Communicate with every therapist,” she said. “Communication is key, so always inform them of any existing injuries, muscle pain, or medical conditions.”
Don’t get a massage if you’re sick or recovering from surgery
Think twice before booking that appointment if you’re feeling unwell or healing from an operation.
“Massages can spread infections and should be avoided if you have an active infection, have had recent surgery, or suffer from deep vein thrombosis (DVT),” Joseph-Anthony cautions.
It might sound relaxing, but your body needs time to heal, so a massage might do more harm than good.
And — once again — don’t forget to hydrate a lot and often! “Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins released during massage therapy,” she said.
