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Get Your Feet Ready for the Beach

6/8/2021

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With Summer in full swing, visits to the beach or to a day by the pool can become a regular break from daily life. This guide will give you some tips for getting your legs and feet beach-ready, by giving them some well-deserved pampering.
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Pamper Your Legs Before Heading Out to the Beach

Leg Massages

Various Carisma world-famous massages give your legs the luxury treatment, with gentle movements that reduce inflammation and get your circulation flowing smoothly. Massages even ease muscle tension and the aches and pains in your knees or ankles. Our Carisma Signature Massage is especially perfect for the job, since it includes a Hawaiian leg massage and a Balinese Foot Massage. 

However, if a specific massage has caught your eye, you can add on a foot massage or foot reflexology session to experience the best of both worlds. Foot reflexology involves the application of pressure to specific areas of the feet to restore your body’s energy flow and treat specific ailments or health concerns. Reflexology is even said to boost your immune system  and promote healing!
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Leg and Foot Massages Get Your Circulation Flowing

Professional Waxing

If you’re self-conscious or concerned about hair growth on your legs, professional waxing can be the perfect solution. Since it is performed by a professional, getting a waxing treatment at the spa is less painful and less likely to cause any damage to your skin. It will be much quicker, and have longer-lasting results than at-home hair removal. The spa esthetician will also know how to adapt the session to your unique needs, taking your skin type and hair type into consideration. 

Best of all, professional waxing involves high degrees of sanitation and the highest quality products, so your skin is sure to feel amazing afterwards! If you’re curious about a typical professional waxing session, you can take a look at our simple guide here to know what to expect.
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Professional Spa Waxing Uses the Highest Quality Products

Pampering Pedicures

A pedicure is an amazing way to feel and look pampered! Best of all, you can effortlessly enjoy a professional pedicure at a luxury spa. A classic pedicure at Carisma spa includes cutting and filing your toenails, cleaning your cuticles and application of nail polish. If you feel like treating yourself, a deluxe pedicure also includes a foot scrub, massage and foot mask! Regular foot scrubs will smooth your feet, removing dry skin and preventing cracked heels. The foot mask helps ease dry skin and cracked feet, revealing the smooth glowing skin beneath.

Foot scrubs and massages will boost the circulation in your legs, giving you a feeling of wellness and easing any swelling from being on your feet all day. Of course, a pedicure is also an amazing stress reliever. 
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A Deluxe Pedicure Even Includes Pampering Treats Like a Foot Massage

Cellulite Care

​Cellulite can really bring you down and leave you feeling self-conscious at the beach. There are thankfully various remedies for this very common concern that you can try. Spa treatments like our Anti-Cellulite packages are designed to target cellulite in an intensive pampering session. If you prefer, even normal massages boost circulation and plump up your skin, reducing the appearance of cellulite.

If you prefer an at-home solution, various luxury products can improve the appearance of cellulite. Firming products help tighten up the skin on your legs, while masks, night gels and moisturizers plump up your skin. Best of all, when used in combination with anti-cellulite treatments, they are super effective!
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At-home Cellulite Products Can Improve the Effectiveness of Treatments

Conclusion

We hope that this guide has given you some great ideas for perfect poolside legs! Keeping your legs well-cared for is a great way to treat yourself and improve your self-confidence.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to enjoy a day by the pool while you show off your pampered legs, you can take a look at our list of tips for the perfect pool getaway.

other blog posts you may be interested in:

  • Tips for Staying Hydrated in Summer​
  • Top Tips for your Pool Day in Malta
  • A Guide to Professional Waxing
  • Summer Skincare Tips
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Health Benefits of a Day by the Pool

6/8/2021

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A day by the pool is a wonderfully relaxing getaway that can be the highlight of your Summer days. It can be a well-earned break from working or studying, or a way to spend time together with friends, family or a loved one. But best of all, spending a day by the pool can even have amazing benefits on your physical and mental wellbeing.


In this article, you’ll learn about a few of the different ways that a Carisma spa day by the pool can leave you feeling and looking your best.
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A Getaway by the Pool is a Great Way to Unwind

The Benefits of Swimming

​If you plan on swimming during your day by the pool, you’re making a great decision for your health! Even if you prefer light, relaxed swimming, there are various benefits to enjoy:
  • Being Around Water Has A Calming Effect
Surprisingly, simply being around a swimming pool is enough to relax your mind and help you feel calmer. Being near or in a swimming pool lowers stress and anxiety levels, and increases feelings of happiness. Even your breathing rate and heart rate slow down, making days by the pool a good remedy for bad moods. Swimming also requires muscle and breathing techniques similar to those used in yoga and meditation; it’s no wonder swimming relaxes you too!

  • Swimming as Exercise
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise, since it is also gentle on your joints in the process. While swimming, you can enjoy a relaxing weight loss experience, as well as train your core strength and your flexibility. It also helps build your endurance while toning your muscles.

  • Ease Your Aches and Pains
Swimming is good relief for joint pains, muscle pains and even for healing injuries. Reducing pressure off a painful back or damaged knee while you swim allows you to exercise these muscles gently without causing more damage. Always discuss with your doctor or physiotherapist to be sure your injury is ready for this exercise, to be extra safe.

  • Boost Your Heart’s Health
Swimming keeps your heart healthy by gently improving your cardiovascular fitness. Since it is a form of aerobic exercise, swimming will strengthen your heart and make it more efficient at pumping your blood. This benefits your circulation, reducing your chances of cardiovascular disease.
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Simply Being by a Pool Can Have Positive Effects on Your Mood

Taking a Break From It All

Spending a day by the pool is an amazing way to break up your routine and give yourself a boost of motivation. Taking a break to distance yourself from daily routines has positive effects on your memory, energy levels and performance. Taking a day to rest even improves your health; boosting your immune system, reducing inflammation and decreasing your risk of heart disease.

Spending your day by the pool with family or friends can also improve your bond and your mental wellness. A spa day by the pool can even be a great romantic experience to share with a special someone, where you can enjoy being pampered together.
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Days by the Pool are Amazing Bonding Experiences

​Getting Some Sun

Simply spending time outside in the sun comes with its own health benefits. Most people do not get enough Vitamin D with their current lifestyles, so as long as you protect your skin with sunscreen, some sun exposure can actually have a positive effect. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles, so it’s important to get enough of it. This vitamin even keeps your immune system, brain and nervous system in good shape.

Sun exposure is also recommended as a way to treat skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, jaundice and acne. It can even give you a little helping hand in relieving arthritis, lupus and thyroid problems.

Outdoor experiences and sun exposure can also improve your memory, focus and creativity, as well as combat depression. Sunlight triggers the release of serotonin, which boosts your mood and calms you.
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Sunlight is Good for You, as Long as You Enjoy Sun Exposure Safely

​Conclusion

We hope that this article has been enlightening, and that you now know some of the surprising ways a relaxing day by the pool can improve your wellness. With today’s rushed schedules and stress-filled days, it’s important to set aside time for yourself.

other blogs you may be interested in

  • Tips for Staying Hydrated in Summer
  • The Health Benefits of a Spa Day
  • A Guide to Mother Daughter Spa Days
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Tips for Staying Hydrated in Summer

23/7/2021

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With Summer comes high temperatures and excessive sun exposure, which may leave you feeling and looking exhausted. It’s important to keep hydrated, but this extends far beyond simply drinking water regularly (though this is very important) while you relax by the pool. This article will give you a few tips on staying hydrated in a holistic way.
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Reading this guide can help you stay hydrated this Summer

Water-Rich Diet Changes

Drinking water regularly is of course an often-emphasized health tip. Water helps your body run smoothly; it benefits your circulation, aids digestion, helps maintain body temperature and improves the transport of required nutrients. It also helps your skin, kidneys and muscles stay healthy.

To support your body getting enough water intake, you can also include moisture-rich food and drinks into your diet. Drinking anything like juice, coffee or milk is always helpful as long as you avoid alcohol, which is a diuretic that causes your body to remove fluid from your blood quicker than most other liquids. Water-rich foods are primarily fruits and vegetables that include:
  • Cucumber: Cucumbers are very low on calories but high in hydration, and contain useful nutrients like fiber, Vitamin K and Vitamin A.
  • Tomatoes: Tomatoes are juicy, moisture-rich, and very versatile. You can include them in salads, sauces or sandwiches for some quick refreshment.
  • Lettuce: This vegetable is 95% water, which means salads can be an amazing way to avoid dehydration.
  • Apples: 86% water content makes apples a tasty hydrating snack option.
  • Watermelon: Unsurprisingly, given their name, watermelons contain a juicy 92% water.
  • Peaches: Peaches are very filling, so they can be a good choice if you’re trying to avoid snacking too often. They are 85% water.
  • Zucchini: 90% water, this vegetable is also fiber-rich, making it a perfect digestion boost.
Other foods like broths and soups are also moisture rich, as well as very versatile, so you can enjoy them with many varied ingredients to keep you fresh. You may also try some existing favorites; coffee and tea, in their cold, iced versions for an added boost.
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Tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers are packed with moisture, so salads are a great hydration option

Prepare for Strenuous Activities

Staying hydrated isn’t just about water intake, but about avoiding excessive water loss too. Going out for a walk? Heading to the gym? Spending a spa day by the pool? These activities all have a dehydrating effect on your body and can expose you to Summer’s intense heat. This means you have to prepare yourself by hydrating yourself beforehand, during and afterwards. Always keep a bottle of water with you, no matter how long you will spend outside, in case you begin to feel tired or get stuck in the sun. 

Additionally, always apply sunscreen before leaving your home. The sun’s rays can cause permanent dehydration and damage, leading to premature aging and sagging. Wear loose, light clothing to help reflect some heat and try to stick to the shade, both of which will reduce water loss through sweating. Sunglasses with U.V. protection also help protect you from dry eyes, squinting and premature eye wrinkles.

When you arrive home from strenuous activities, a cool shower helps wash away sweat, reduce your body temperature and rehydrate your skin.
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Sunscreen is one of the best tools in your arsenal to protect yourself from Summer skin damage

Reinvigorating Your Skin

Your skin can feel especially dry, irritated and dull in the Summer, especially if you have dry skin. Skin will benefit from any source of water intake to stay hydrated, but using moisturising products is very important to replenish hydration lost as sweat or stripped away after you shower. It’s also important not to forget that your body, as well as your face, require hydrating products. Products should ideally be applied right after you shower, since your skin will be more absorbent at that time. Many products become more effective when applied morning and evening, so read the recommended use on each one.

Using exfoliators regularly also helps clear away dry, dead skin and sweat, preventing clogged pores and improving your skin’s fresh appearance.
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Exfoliating products prevent clogged pores and reveal brighter skin

concluding

​There are many ways to improve your water intake and reduce water loss, and we hope that some of the tips we provided are helpful to you. Preventing dehydration is even more important during the Summer months to protect yourself from exhaustion, heatstroke and premature aging.

Other blogs you may be interested in:

  • Ancient Wellness Routines You Can Experience at the Spa
  • The Health Benefits of a Spa Day
  • A Guide to Mother Daughter Spa Days
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A Self-Care Guide for Men

16/7/2021

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Many men often overlook the importance of skincare and mental wellness. This guide will give you some tips for feeling and looking your best, and achieving the wellness you deserve.
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Taking Time to Relax

Modern life can be hectic and take up all our time. You may spend most of your day working only to feel exhausted during your free time, so it's important to take breaks regularly both for your physical and mental health. Breaks can be as simple as taking a day off to sleep in and enjoy your hobbies, or even treating yourself to a spa day by the pool. Activities like swimming, jacuzzis and saunas are all effective tension relievers. They even have the amazing benefit of easing muscle tension and helping your body recover after working out or sports.

Enjoying an antistress massage during your spa day for men is also an effective way of taking time out for yourself. All massages for men can help stimulate lymphatic drainage and circulation, helping you feel amazingly reinvigorated. In fact, if you’re suffering from particular aches and pains or recovering from a sports injury, our dedicated spa therapists can recommend a particular massage that would be perfect for you.
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Take Care of Your Skin

Daily exposure to weather and pollution can really bring your skin down, especially if you regularly shave and are left with dull, irritated skin. Skin discomfort can bring you down, especially if it makes you self conscious! It’s important to keep your skin hydrated and healthy with the correct facial products. For example, moisturising after washing your face and using alcohol-free aftershave after shaving. For a full guide on picking the right facial products, you can read our guide here: A Guide to Men’s Facial Products.

If your skin needs an immediate pick-me-up, specialised facials for men will take your unique needs into consideration to tackle your current problem, whether it’s excess oil, dryness or simply wanting to destress for a while.
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Spending Time With Loved Ones

It’s easy to get wrapped up in your daily tasks and priorities, but it’s important to remember that spending time with loved ones is healthy both for your relationships and your own mental health. Sharing activities is proven to relieve stress, depression, anxiety and improve your mood. You can even combine our above tips and enjoy spa days or massages with a loved one or as a group. Couples massages are perfect shared experiences to help you both leave the spa feeling reinvigorated and relaxed, or you may even decide to throw a spa party with friends and family to celebrate and destress together.
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Improving Your Diet

​You don’t need to try any extreme diets to help yourself feel better. Sometimes the solution is a few slight changes that can have a massive effect on your physical health and how you feel about yourself. Hydration is a very important and simple way to feel better immediately. Simply keeping a bottle of water nearby while you work can remind you to drink water more often, which in turn helps your body and your skin look and feel better. Minor changes like consuming more fermented foods (yoghurts, kimchi and kefir especially) can improve your digestion and gut health, while reducing coffee and alcohol intake can help decrease anxiety and sleeping problems.
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Conclusion

​It’s important to prioritise your mental and physical health as part of your life, and not to overlook their importance. Taking care of yourself is a great way to feel and look better, and can give you the self-confidence and stability to navigate your life more easily.

Other blogs you may be interested in

  • A Guide to Getting Better Sleep
  • A Guide to Men’s Facial Products
  • The Health Benefits of a Spa Day
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Spa Tips for Headaches and Migraines

29/3/2021

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​Headaches and Migraines can range from an annoying inconvenience to a debilitating event that interrupts the way you live your life. Unfortunately, not all common remedies for these conditions work on everyone, and some people even find themselves unable to find any relief. However, the tips that will be provided in this article may be solutions that you may not have considered yet. At the very least, spa solutions to headaches and migraines are excellent stress and pain relievers, which are often the culprits behind these problems or serve to make them worse.
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Head Massages Relieve Pain and Improve Blood Flow

The Causes Behind Headaches and Migraines

To tackle these health problems, we have to address the source of the problem; what causes headaches and migraines in the first place.
  1. Stress: A common cause and trigger for headaches and migraines, stress is an unfortunately unavoidable part of life, especially nowadays.
  2. Lack of Sleep: Sleep is essential to good physical and mental health, so it’s unsurprising that it can lead to painful headaches or migraines. Both getting too little and too much sleep can actually trigger migraines, as well as dramatically changing the time you go to bed or wake up.
  3. Intense Physical Exertion: Overexerting yourself at work, home or during exercise routines can trigger your migraines or cause a headache, so pacing yourself and knowing your limits is important.
  4. Food: Eating very salty foods or processed items has been linked to migraines and headaches. Skipping meals or trying unhealthy dieting techniques also commonly causes headaches.
  5. Unavoidable Causes: Sometimes essential medication or even a change in the weather can trigger a migraine or headache, and unfortunately this makes them unavoidable. This is why you’ll find remedies here that both tackle migraine causes, as well as tips to relieve the pain when a flare up is unavoidable.
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The Unavoidable Stresses of Life Can Sometimes be Triggers for Headaches and Migraines

A Spa Day to Relieve Tension and Pain

Treating yourself to a spa day can work wonders on a headache or migraine that just won’t go away. Taking a dip in a jacuzzi or pool is an excellent stress-reliever, making a spa day a good remedy for tension headaches. Additionally, these relaxing experiences serve as a good way to relieve pain or at least distract yourself from it. Simply switching off from your daily routine and electronic devices that always need your attention can be enough to relieve a headache or migraine caused by the stresses of work or everyday life.
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Sometimes Taking a Break From it All Can Be The Best Cure

Massaging a Migraine Away

Some researchers have suggested that a constriction in blood flow to the brain can trigger, if not even cause, migraines. Since facials and massages are excellent treatments to improve your circulation, they can provide relief or prevent a headache or migraine from happening in the first place. Many massages that include neck and shoulder attention will also help ease neck, jaw and shoulder tension, which also may be contributing to your problem. A Turkish Massage may also be a good solution, since the warm heated marble room improves blood flow.

You can even enjoy specialised spa treatments that target specific headache or migraine causes. For instance, an antistress massage is perfect for the job, while a Hammam stress breaker package will give you both the benefit of stress relief and a circulation boost in the pampering Turkish bath. A Carisma signature facial can also help you release stress, as it includes a back relaxation treatment as well as a facial treatment.
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Head, Back and Shoulder Massages are Amazing at Releasing Tension

Restful Sleep

As mentioned in the causes section, sleep problems can be the reason behind your headaches and migraines. The first problem to tackle is your sleep schedule, which you must keep as consistent as possible not to disrupt your body’s natural clock. It’s also important to determine how many hours you need to sleep to feel rested, usually between 7 or 9 hours, and maintaining that amount of rest. Both sleeping too much or too little can be a trigger for health problems, including headaches and migraines.

If you struggle with exhaustion and a lack of sleep, spa treatments like massages are excellent at relieving some tiredness and giving you a burst of energy afterwards. 
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Make Sleep a Priority; It's Integral to Your Health

Meditation & Yoga

Studies have shown that meditation or yoga may be useful tools in your arsenal. These practices center you, help you become more self-aware and reduce stress. It helps reduce the number and severity of migraines, and gives you a feeling of control over them. Nowadays, you can find specialised apps that will guide you through the process if you are new to meditation. If you want more hands-on guidance, Carisma’s Spa Club Membership includes free Yoga meetups as part of its many benefits.
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Meditation and Yoga are Powerful Tools

Concluding

Migraines and headaches can be a frustrating interruption to your life, so we hope that some of these tips will be helpful in reducing or preventing them from happening, or at the very least relieving some of the discomfort they cause.

Other articles you may be interested in:

  • Getting Better Sleep
  • Ancient Massage Techniques You Can Experience Today
  • How to Bring Wellness to Your Home
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Preventing and Healing Sports Injuries

6/2/2021

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Sports injuries can be an unfortunate reality of exercise or athletic performance. They are commonly caused by overusing muscles or joints, or receiving more force to a body part than it can withstand. This article will provide various approaches to prevention or healing of injuries that one can experience at Carisma spa, ranging from targeted massages to the benefits of using spa facilities.
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Targeted massages can address your particular injury's needs

The Science Behind Sports Injuries

​Sports injuries can range from cuts and scrapes, to swelling, muscle damage, pain and stiffness, amongst other symptoms. These injuries can be grouped into two categories, chronic and acute, depending on how they occurred. Chronic injuries happen when you repeatedly overuse muscles or joints, especially if you have poor technique while exercising. These injuries can remain hidden for some time until they get worse, or may even seem to be less severe than they actually are, so it's important to take them seriously and consult a doctor instead of ignoring them. Acute injuries occur suddenly when you use too much force, like landing improperly on a joint or sprain a muscle. 

Your risks of sustaining an injury are highest if you haven’t exercised in some time or don’t warm up properly before beginning your workout, so take the time to prepare yourself. Prevention is always better!
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Sports Injuries can vary in severity

​Preventing Sports Injuries

Warm Up and Cool Off
Regardless of how often you exercise or how experienced you are, never skip stretching and warming up. This will warm up your muscles and make them more flexible, preparing them for the routine ahead. Cold muscles will be more likely to overstretch and tear, while warm muscles can absorb more impact, movements and bending. You may also try a session in a hot tub for 10 to 20 minutes, as this helps loosen up your muscles as well.

Be attentive to your body as you work out, and know when it’s time to stop. It’s important not to keep pushing once muscle fatigue sets in as you will have an increased risk of injury if you push your body further. However, don’t quit exercising abruptly. After each workout, wind down with gentle stretches.
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Warm up and cool off with stretching exercises
Gradually Increase Exercise Intensity
If you haven’t exercised in a while, are coming back after an injury or this is your first time exercising, be sure to start off with gentle exercises before you increase the intensity of your workouts. Your body needs time to adapt after all!

If you’re just starting out, have joint pain/damage or are getting older, you can opt for swimming as your exercise routine. Swimming in a pool allows you to exercise most of the muscles in your body while being gentler on your joints. 
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is always important for your health, and this is especially the case during exercise routines. Hydration will support your body while sweating, and will also be exceptionally important if you use the hot tub warming up method mentioned above.​
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Stay hydrated throughout your workout
Injury-Preventing Massages
Since sport & deep tissue massages increase circulation and apply expert pressure movements to your muscles and connective tissues, muscle tension is eased and waste is removed from your tissues, making it less likely that you will sustain an injury.

While specialised sports massages are specifically designed for the prevention and treatment of injuries, other massages can also ease muscle tension and boost circulation, in addition to their own special treatment goals. For example, you can enjoy a bamboo massage that eases muscle tension through the use of a bamboo rod.
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A Bamboo massage takes its name from the bamboo rod used to perform the massage

Healing Sports Injuries

Luckily, most sports injuries are minor strains or damage, and these are far easier to treat. You should always follow a medical professional’s advice on how to treat your injury, but the following are viable ways to help your injury heal unless a professional recommends otherwise. It is always recommended to inform the spa therapist who will be performing any massages on you about your injury. They will take special care not to use certain movements or levels of pressure.
Massages
Various massages can be useful in healing your injury, depending on what your specific needs are. Sports massages, for instance, are good at breaking down scar tissue that forms after an injury heals. This scar tissue is inflexible which makes it more likely that you will injure yourself again, so it’s important to restore your muscles flexibility.

The Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage will also be very helpful in improving your lymphatic drainage, clearing away waste from your muscles that will aid in the healing process. Meanwhile, a Balinese massage relaxes your body and will restore your energy after the potentially tiring experience of healing from an injury or having an intense workout.
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The motions of a massage target your muscles to break down scar tissue
Spa Facilities
Sports injuries often come with swelling, pain and stiffness, and a spa day can allow you to remedy these symptoms through the use of various spa facilities. Saunas and jacuzzis, for example, have been proven to aid the healing process thanks to the increase in body temperature. 

The same can be said for a session in the heated marble room of the Turkish Hammam. The heat will also ease soreness and calm down inflammation, making it a good option if you want to ease your aches and pains for a while. Your joint pain and muscle tension will also be released, leaving you relaxed and relieved.
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The warmth of the Hammam calms and sooths injuries

Concluding

Though accidents happen and not all injuries are preventable, keeping the advice provided here in mind can help you prevent needless damage to your body. When an injury does happen, you should now have some tips in mind that can hopefully be helpful!

Other blogs you may find helpful

  • The Health Benefits of a Spa Day
  • A Guide to Men's Facial Products
  • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
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5 Healthy Smoothies to Boost Your Wellness

21/12/2020

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Staying healthy doesn’t have to involve boring meals or unpleasant protein shakes. We at Carisma want you to enjoy your journey to wellness, so here are 5 amazing smoothies that support your health goals while tasting amazing!

1. Get a Burst of Antioxidants: Raspberry Green tea Smoothie

Add to a Blender:
  • A chilled cup of freshly brewed green tea
  • Half a Cup of Yoghurt
  • A cup of raspberries
  • A tablespoon of honey
  • Half a Cup of Ice
Blend until smooth and enjoy ice cold deliciousness!

​Consuming foods containing antioxidants has been suggested as a way to counter cell damage, reducing the chances of diseases like cancer, eye diseases, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. Antioxidants can be found in a lot of fruits and veggies, and this first smoothie is full of them. The Green tea is packed with antioxidants and boosts your heart’s health.
Smoothies Are Healthy and Delicious Ways to Boost Your Health
Smoothies Are Healthy and Delicious Ways to Boost Your Health

2. Boost Your Energy Levels: Cherry Super-Smoothie

Blend Together:
  • A handful of frozen cherries
  • A chopped kiwi
  • A cup of almond milk
  • Some chia seeds

Blend until smooth and you have a smoothie that will supercharge your energy! This is a great smoothie to start the day with, or use as a pick-me-up. 

The cherries and the kiwi will add a lot of vitamins and antioxidants to your diet, while almond milk is a low-fat way to improve your calcium intake. Chia seeds are loaded with nutrients and even contain Omega-3 fatty acids!
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3. Make Your Diet Fun: Berry Keto Smoothie

Blend Together:
  • A quarter cup of frozen strawberries
  • A quarter cup of raspberries
  • A quarter cup of blackberries
  • Half a cup of Coconut Milk
  • Some spinach leaves

Blend together, and you have a low carb snack. This smoothie is also a great light breakfast, if you aren’t a fan of cereals.

Berries improve your blood sugar, are great for your skin and help fight inflammation. Just like the spinach in this smoothie, the berries are also packed with vitamins but have a very low amount of calories. Coconut milk helps with your energy levels, improves your digestion and helps your heart health.
Coconut is Great for Your Heart Health, Digestion and Energy Levels
Coconut is Great for Your Heart Health, Digestion and Energy Levels

4. ​Get a Workout Treat: Healthy Apple Pie Smoothie

Blend Together:
  • 300ml of milk, water or yoghurt
  • 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder
  • A cored, chopped apple (preferably with the skin still on for even more of a health boost)
  • 2 tablespoons of almonds
  • A handful of uncooked oats
  • A sprinkle of cinnamon
Blend until smooth and enjoy!
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This smoothie tastes like a delicious apple pie, but without the unhealthy part! It’s packed with protein, making it a great pre-workout incentive or a post-workout reward. You’ll be looking forward to exercising in no time.

Not only does it contain the protein you need for your workout, but the yoghurt will boost your immune system while the apple and oats will give you a great dose of fiber.
Apples' high fiber and water content means they'll make you feel full with less calorie intake....ideal for weight loss
Apples' high fiber and water content means they'll make you feel full with less calorie intake....ideal for weight loss

5. Boost Your Brain Power: Blueberry Avocado Smoothie

Blend Together:
  • A cup of frozen blueberries
  • Half a cup of your favourite berry juice (pomegranate and cranberry are great)
  • Half a cup of ice
  • A tablespoon of chia seeds
  • Half a peeled banana
  • Half a pitted avocado
Blend until smooth and enjoy a clear, focused mind.

This is a great way of taking a short break from work or studying, and improving your focus at the same time. This smoothie is also loaded with vitamins, protein and antioxidants to improve both your physical and mental wellness.
Avocado boosts your attention span,  mood, memory and concentration. They're the perfect brain boost.
Avocado boosts your attention span, mood, memory and concentration. They're the perfect brain boost.

Concluding

​We at Carisma hope this article has given you some delicious smoothie ideas! If this has given you a craving for some fresh fruits, you may enjoy our Spa & Lunch packages that even include a voucher to use at Kofi & Kale (where you can even try a whole range of smoothies)!

Other Posts Your May Be Interested In

  • Beating Insomnia and Getting Better Sleep
  • Bringing Wellness to Your Home
  • Dealing With Stress and Anxiety
  • Preventing and Slowing Skin Aging
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9 Ways to Deal With Anxiety and Stress

14/12/2020

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At many points in our life we may experience something that causes us a great deal of stress & anxiety, and given how hectic life can be these feelings can often last for a long amount of time. The turbulent nature of 2020 has been especially stressful for many of us, so it has become even more important to be able to prevent and cope with these feelings.

Here at Carisma Spa, we want to ensure that people experience both physical and mental wellness, so this article will take you through some ways to manage these negative emotions and to help prevent them from taking hold in the first place.
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Anxiety and Stress Don't Have to be Overwhelming

Understanding Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety can have physical, mental, and emotional effects on you. When you experience anxiety, you can feel scared or apprehensive, you can have negative emotions and you can even experience intense reactions like sweating, shaking or shortness of breath.

​Anxiety and Stress are often the result of something that has already happened, or something that you are worried will happen, so tackling these feelings can start from approaching these events in a different way.
Anxiety and Stress can Have Physical, Mental and Emotional Effects
Anxiety and Stress can Have Physical, Mental and Emotional Effects

​Planning in Advance

If future events are causing you anxiety, it can be very helpful to plant for them in advance. Knowing that you already have ways to cope with this event, if it were to happen, can take a great deal of weight off your shoulders.

This can be as simple as writing down your daily routine in advance, listing your short term and long term goals, or writing down some ways to cope with an event that you fear will happen. Consider talking about these worries with people you are close to, as they may have perspectives that you are not seeing at the moment or solutions that you are not aware of. Often the act of simply talking with someone can relieve some anxiety.
Planning Your Time Can Lead to Less Stress Later On
Planning Your Time Can Lead to Less Stress Later On

Rewarding Yourself For The Small Goals

Many of our goals in life require a great deal of time and effort; getting a good job, buying a house or succeeding in education, for example, can all require years of work. As a result, we can lose motivation and feel like our goals are too far out of reach, so it’s important to list small goals and reward yourself for them. Exercised or ate a healthy meal today? Reward yourself with some moments of relaxation. 

Even small achievements have their value, and it’s important not to forget this! Focus on what you can change right now.
Reward Yourself for Small Achievements as Well as Large Ones
Reward Yourself for Small Achievements as Well as Large Ones

Focus & Breathing

Experiencing a moment of high anxiety or stress can be overwhelming, so it’s important to know what to do beforehand. When you feel overwhelmed, try to sit down and take a second to clear your mind. Close your eyes and focus only on your breathing. These calming breathing techniques are surprisingly effective, relieving intense emotions in a matter of minutes.
When You Feel Overwhelmed, Take a  Moment to Stop and Breathe
When You Feel Overwhelmed, Take a Moment to Stop and Breathe

Question Your Negative Thoughts

When we focus on our negative thoughts, we can give them a great deal of power and make them feel worse than they actually are. When you experience negative emotions, take their power away by listing them either on a piece of paper or in your mind. Ask yourself what is bothering you, why it is bothering you and whether you can do anything about it. 

If the problem is something you can change, try and list what you can do to solve it. If you can’t figure out a solution, ask others for advice or even see if you can get some useful information from the internet.

Often, this process can relieve your anxiety even before you actually start doing anything to fix your problem, since it grounds you in the present and makes your feelings tangible. Once you understand something, you can deal with it more easily.
Talking About Your Problem With Others Can Give You a Fresh Perspective
Talking About Your Problem With Others Can Give You a Fresh Perspective

Aromatherapy

Creating a relaxing environment can help with anxiety and stress, and aromatherapy is a useful tool in your arsenal. By burning incense, using a scented oil or a warmer, you can diffuse a relaxing scent around the room to ground you and relax you. 
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Specific scents like lavender, jasmine, chamomile, rose, frankincense, and patchouli have historically been used to relieve anxiety, depression, and stress.
Oils and Scents Have Been Used for Anxiety and Stress Relief For Hundreds of Years
Oils and Scents Have Been Used for Anxiety and Stress Relief For Hundreds of Years

​Anti Stress Treatments

If you feel like you would prefer a more hands-on approach to tackling your tension, you can choose treatments designed to relieve these negative emotions. A facial, for example, can relieve tension and allow you to step away from life’s worries for a while. 
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Meanwhile, a massage that targets anxiety like the Hot Stone Massage or the Antistress Massage is designed to relieve the symptoms of stress in your body to refresh your physical and mental energy.
Massages and Treatments are Designed to Relax Tension and Stress
Massages and Treatments are Designed to Relax Tension and Stress

Meditation & Exercise

Keeping up with meditation and exercise can also be a useful tool to relieve negative emotions. They lower the body’s levels of stress hormones, improve your sleep and make you feel more confident in yourself. In addition, they can be a great distraction that allows you to focus on something other than the way you are feeling.
Exercise Can Be Done From the Comfort and Safety of Your Home As Well
Exercise Can Be Done From the Comfort and Safety of Your Home As Well

Wrapping up

​In conclusion, there are many approaches you can take to manage your feelings in these stressful times. You may choose to try one or more of these techniques or even all of them, so we hope that they will be of help and lead to your mental wellness.

  • Getting Better Sleep
  • Bringing Health and Wellness to Your Home
  • Slowing and Repairing Skin Aging
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How to Beat Insomnia & Get Better Sleep

16/11/2020

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Getting good sleep is an integral part of maintaining both physical and mental wellness. We may take a good night’s rest for granted, but even a single interrupted or fitful night can make us realise how important restful sleep really is.

Losing sleep for any reason, including insomnia, can impact every aspect of our lives. Tiredness can mean making more mistakes at work, being short tempered with loved ones or simply having a harder time being motivated and enjoying life. At the end of the day, no one enjoys tossing and turning in bed watching the clock tick by, so here are some useful tips to help you get a good night’s sleep. They will range from easy, small changes to your environment to antistress spa day treatments, so you are sure to find something that fits into your lifestyle.
A Lack of Sleep Can Affect Your Work
A Lack of Sleep Can Have an Effect on Your Work

​Create a Welcoming Sleeping Space

Sleeping in a room that’s quiet, dark and cool will naturally help you get to sleep easier. If your room is facing a street light or you perhaps prefer to sleep during the day, blackout curtains can help simulate a dark environment.

Removing distractions like computers, T.V’s & work items can also help you get into the right mindset. Having these items around can weaken the natural association you have with your bedroom as a place of rest. Some people also find the light aroma of essential oils like lavender can help them get to sleep, but make sure not to apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin, as they can cause irritation.
Clear work & study items from your room before bed, to get yourself into a relaxed mindset
Clear Work & Study Items from Your Room Before Bed, to Get Yourself into a Relaxed Mindset

Reduce Light Exposure

​Your body naturally associates daylight with being awake, so exposing yourself to too much artificial light, especially before bed, confuses your natural rhythms. Bright light, especially blue light typical of phones and computers should be avoided. If this is not possible, look into setting a blue light filter on your device to reduce its disrupting effect. Being in a dark environment will encourage the production of the hormone melatonin, which promotes sleep.
Avoid Screens Before Bed
Avoid Bright Screens Before Bed

Maintain a Sleeping Routine

You can help your body and mind transition from day to night by relaxing for an hour before bed. You can take a bath, enjoy a hobby or perform exercises like yoga, but make sure to avoid too much time using technology, as explained above.

​It is also important to sleep and wake at around the same time if possible. If you need to change the time you are going to sleep, try and adjust your routine gradually instead of all at once, so that your body’s rhythms have time to adapt.
Unwind With a Relaxing Activity or Hobby Before Bed
Unwind With a Relaxing Activity or Hobby Before Bed

Avoid Caffeine, Nicotine & Alcohol

It may seem obvious to avoid drinking coffee before bed, but what about nicotine and alcohol? Many people enjoy a glass of wine or a smoke before bed, but surprisingly these may be contributing to insomnia like caffeine would.

Studies have shown that consuming these substances may also increase anxiety, which will make it harder to get to sleep and feel well rested when you wake up. A 2015 study showed that caffeine can even make your mood worse if you are already sleep deprived. Instead, consider drinking cherry juice, herbal teas or warm milk to help you drift off.
Cherry Juice, Herbal Teas and Warm Milk are Great at Promoting Sleep
Cherry Juice, Herbal Teas and Warm Milk are Great at Promoting Sleep

​Try Antistress and Relaxation Treatments

​If you are going through a stressful time, especially an unpredictable year like 2020, it may be hard to get a good night’s rest. Trying a soothing massage can help ease some tension and refresh your outlook. Carisma Spa’s dedicated antistress massage is designed to ease tension, while massages like the Hot Stone Massage or the Ayurvedic Massage can help with exhaustion and anxiety.
A Soothing Hot Stone Massage
A Soothing Hot Stone Massage

Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, your body naturally knows when it is time to rest, but the anxiety and complications of daily life can confuse it. By establishing a sleeping routine that simulates a cool, dark night and relaxes your body, you can help promote regular restful sleep.

other blog posts you may be interested in

  • 9 Ways to Tackle Anxiety & Stress
  • What is a Hot Stone Massage?
  • Lomi Lomi Massage: Benefits and What to Expect
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Simple Ways to Bring Health and Wellness to Your Home

30/10/2020

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Improving your health and wellness, both physical and mental, may seem like a daunting task. We associate improving our health with major lifestyle changes, inconvenient exercise routines or complicated dieting plans, but this doesn’t have to be the case!

There are some surprisingly simple ways to feel and look better that can slot right into your current lifestyle, making them easier to adapt to and maintain. You can’t always find the time to pop into the spa for a massage to break your routine or get advice from our therapists, so this blog will outline possible additions or minor changes to your diet, lifestyle and the products you use in your own home. Not all of them may be perfect for you, but that’s ok! You can adopt as many tips as you like, or use them as a first step into making bigger changes.
Enjoy Wellness at Home, and at Your Own Pace
Enjoy Wellness at Home, and at Your Own Pace

​Boosting Your Diet

Your diet doesn’t only affect your skin and body, but your mental wellness as well. Eating well helps you feel and look better, but we often try to change our diet dramatically; cutting out the foods we love and eating only carefully meal-planned dishes. This can make diets hard to maintain, and demotivate you quickly.

Instead you should start with smaller diet changes first, that can benefit you a great deal on their own, or help transition you into more major changes. For example:

Herbs and Spices
Herbs and Spices don’t just make your food taste amazing, they also have some major health benefits:
  • Sage: True to its name, sage is a medicinal herb that’s great at boosting your brain function and memory. It’s also great at fortifying your immune system since it contains antioxidants and is suggested to help reduce blood sugar levels. Sage retains its flavour when dried, so fresh or dried sage can be incorporated into pasta sauces or in meat dishes to give an earthy flavour.
Herbs and Spices Have Health Benefits, as Well as Tasting Good
Herbs and Spices Have Health Benefits, as Well as Tasting Good
  • Turmeric: This spice contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and has great anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a great spice to add to your food if you have chronic pain or diseases, want to boost your immune system or want to slow down health problems associated with ageing. Turmeric is a common ingredient in curries, giving rice a characteristic yellow colour. If you prefer milder tastes, fresh turmeric has a softer taste than its dried and powdered variety. Turmeric leaves a yellow tint on your hands or plastic cookware, so use glass containers to store any leftovers!

  • Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne is a type of chilli pepper that contains Capsaicin, an ingredient that reduces appetite and increases fat burning so this may be a good ingredient to add if you wish to reduce your food intake in a natural way that doesn’t leave you feeling unsatisfied. 

  • Garlic: Garlic is a very powerful ingredient to include in your diet, as it contains allicin, which is surprisingly effective at lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s also great at combating sickness, so it’s well worth adding or increasing the amount of garlic you use in your food.
Cayenne & Garlic Have Surprising Health Benefits
Cayenne & Garlic Have Surprising Health Benefits
Side Dishes & Fermented Foods
Adding a side dish or small addition to your existing food favourites can also be a great way to boost your diet. I’ve focused on sides that require very little preparation, to have as little of an effect on your routine as possible.

Western Diets are lacking in foods that support your gut health. Fermented Foods contain beneficial bacteria that help with digestion, immunity, weight and mental health, so including them in your diet is a great idea. But what are these probiotic boosting foods? Kimchi, for example, is a popular Korean dish that goes well as a side dish or with dishes that are a little bland. It’s usually made from fermented cabbage, garlic, ginger, spring onions and seasonings. It can be found in any Asian food store in containers of various sizes, so it’s easy to pick up a small packet if you’re not sure if you’ll like it. 
Side Dishes are a Good Way to Make Minor Changes to Your Diet
Side Dishes are a Good Way to Make Minor Changes to Your Diet
Yoghurt is definitely a familiar food, but it has many benefits you may not be aware of. It can reduce your risk of heart disease, contains a great deal of nutrients and like kimchi, boosts your gut health. Adding Yoghurt to baked goods or breakfast dishes is a great option if you prefer not to eat yoghurt on its own.

Kefir is another fermented drink that’s great for you. It’s common in Eastern Europe and Russia, but you can even make it at home by adding grains to a glass of milk and letting it sit for 24 hours. The grains will prevent it from spoiling and ferment the milk, leaving you with a smooth drinkable yoghurt smoothie! You can strain out the grains before drinking, and they remain healthy and ready to make more Kefir!
Yogurt & Kefir Can Make Great Meals or Drinks With Added Grains or Fruits
Yogurt & Kefir Can Make Great Meals or Drinks With Added Grains or Fruits

Small Lifestyle Changes

Adding or making little changes to your routine can dramatically help your physical and mental health. In this section we will take a look at a few simple tips you can adapt to your lifestyle:
  • Epsom Salts: Epsom salts are readily available (and low cost) from pharmacies. By adding them to your bath, they can break down and be absorbed into your skin. The health benefits are endless; reducing swelling, bruising and sprains, helping with insomnia, reducing muscle soreness and chemotherapy discomfort and soothing pain from sunburn.

  • Getting a Regular Amount of Sleep: Sleep can make or break your health, and can really bring your mental wellness down. Setting aside at least 8 hours of sleep at the same time each day is especially important. Many people tend to stay up later on their days off, and this can throw off your body’s natural rhythms. Of course getting to sleep may be easier said than done if you have sleeping problems like insomnia, so you may want to consider our blog post on getting good, restful sleep.
Sleep is Essential For Good Physical & Mental Health
Sleep is Essential For Good Physical & Mental Health
Planning Your Meals: Planning your meals in advance can save you last minute stress or problems with missing ingredients. You may want to set a little time aside each week to plan a few meals, or even make meals in advance if the food can be stored in the fridge or frozen. This also helps you avoid eating takeout or unhealthy snacks when you are too tired to cook at the end of the day.

Set and Track Your Goals: Staying motivated is hard sometimes, so track your progress and reward yourself! You can write down your goals and milestones, and set rewards when you achieve them. Achieved your daily goals? Reward yourself with some self-care time like watching a movie or taking a long bath instead of a shower. Achieved a major goal? Treat yourself to a trip to your favourite restaurant, or a relaxing afternoon at the spa on your day off. Rewards can be as large or as small as you want, but remember that it’s healthy to keep your motivation up.
Planning Meals and Goals Can Simplify Your Daily Life
Planning Meals and Goals Can Simplify Your Daily Life

​Using the Right Products

Many people use skincare and body care products that are popular, or recommended to them by others, without first ensuring that the products are suited to their unique needs. It is important to use products suited for your skin type, otherwise these products can do more harm than good.

Identifying Your Skin Type
Determining your skin type is straightforward if you know what characteristics to look for. First, wash your face with a cleanser and dry your skin. Take note of any of these features that may occur after 30 minutes:
  • Dry Skin: You may have dry skin if your skin feels tight and parched. Throughout the day, people with dry skin may also notice a little flaking. Moisturising soon after washing your face, with an intensely hydrating moisturiser, is therefore very important for this skin type.

  • Oily Skin: If you wait an extra 30 minutes and you can observe a slight shine all over your face, your skin may be oily. Identifying oil is easier if you have sheets of skin blotting paper that you can use to test for oil. It is still important to nourish your skin with products, so you may want to use products that are not greasy or oily. Exfoliants or peels will also help get rid of any clogged pores that oily skin is susceptible to causing.

  • Combination Skin: If you only observe shine on your nose, chin and/or forehead, you may have combination skin. Your cheeks, on the other hand, may feel a little dry. To meet the needs of all areas of the face, you may therefore prefer to use gel products, so as not to dry out dry areas and over-hydrate oily ones. It is still important to moisturise after you strip your natural oils away when washing your skin.
Take Your Skin Type Into Consideration When Picking Products
Take Your Skin Type Into Consideration When Picking Products

Wrapping Up

​Improving your health doesn’t require a complete change to your lifestyle. It’s better to take small steps, and build upon them, than take a giant leap and struggle to maintain it. But at the end of the day, making small changes for yourself can lead to better physical and mental wellness.

other blogs your may be interested in

  • Getting Better Sleep
  • Keeping Your Nails Strong & Healthy
  • Tackling Dry Skin
  • Having a Spa Day at Home
  • 9 Ways to Manage Anxiety & Stress
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    About Carisma

    Carisma Spa & Wellness International has been offering a superior service in 5-star hotels, and holiday resorts along the Aegean and the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and Malta since 1990.

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