Spabreaks.com, the UK’s leading spa booking and experience agency, launch their “Real Men Relax” campaign featuring local champions from across the country who star alongside leading Gallagher Premiership rugby players. David Beckham’s famous pie and mash chef, Tony Lane, is amongst the local champions and stars along side the likes of Gallagher Premiership top try scorer and Harlequins winger Cadan Murley. The campaign launches in line with Men’s Health Week to highlight the benefits of spa to men of all trades and backgrounds.
Tony Lane who is famed for serving David Beckham his pie, mash and jellied eels from his cockney hotspot, Tony’s Pie and Mash is one of the lead ambassadors for the campaign. Tony features alongside four other local champions including fisherman David Wright from Scarborough, farmer Seb Green from Bristol, electrician David Marriott from Nottingham and Kent carpenter Alan Ring. The local champions, who are front and centre of campaign appear alongside former England rugby international Delon Armitage, Gallagher Premiership top try scorer Cadan Murley, Sale Sharks winger Sam James, London Irish backrow Tom Pearson and Gloucester players Harry Elrington and Henry Purdy.
Brand ambassador and pie connoisseur Tony commented: “I’ve served pie and mash for over 30 years, and I can tell you that the kitchen doesn’t get any cooler the older you get. If a deep tissue massage was on offer at the end of every day, I would bite your hand off!”
The driving force behind the campaign are the proven significant benefits of spa on physical health, mental health and wellbeing whilst there remains a stigma around men going to the spa.Further, a recent report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty and Wellbeing (APPG) suggests that the use of spa and associated complimentary theories could significantly support the NHS and reduce doctor visits by up to 37%.
Abi Selby, founder of Spabreaks.com commented: “For far too long the spa has been considered a female only environment and it’s absolutely time we break that stigma. There is a huge role for spa to play in the lives of all men from mental, physical wellbeing to rehabilitation and beyond. We have launched the Real Men Relax campaign to get men across the UK in the spa and experiencing the benefits for themselves.”
Cadan Murley who scored 18 tries for Harlequins this season, making him the leagues top scorer commented: “Pace and strength are focal points of my game and I need to be able to fully recover quickly in order for me to be able to maximise my performance on the pitch. Spa days are pivotal to my conditioning where I use a wide range of massage, steam, plunge baths and more to recover. It’s a hugely important part of my routine.”
Former England winger Delon Armitage continued: “Throughout my career I would regularly use the spa as a form of relaxation and recovery. I often used cold plunge pools and would get regular massages as part of recovery or a rehabilitation program. Now retired, I still use spa as a form of relaxation within my daily life.”
Spa Health Benefits of Massage
Aside from being generally relaxing, massage has a wealth of wellbeing benefits. It’s a chance to get out of our minds and back into our bodies, take stock and unwind. Massage is touch therapy in action. It connects with our innate sense of being and can be an invaluable tool in helping to ease everything from post workout muscle pain to tense shoulders from sitting at a desk, and even help ease symptoms of depression.
Healing Powers of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a big part of the spa experience, from candles and scents used in the treatment rooms to the oils used in our treatments. Spa treatments often begin with a scent test, which essentially operates on the principal that you will be drawn to the scent that your body needs at that time, and therapists will then use it to personalise your treatment. For example, you might be looking to relax or feel energised.
Herbal Wellbeing Benefits
A lot of spas centre their practices around the healing powers of herbs and botanicals, incorporating them into products as well as the scents that add ambience to the space. From herbal teas to skincare products, herbs and botanicals can help you to relax and unwind or can even have more specific benefits. For example, cinnamon is said to help reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar and alleviate nausea and basil is an anti-inflammatory.
Thermal Suit Benefits
A good thermal suite can provide the framework for a spa experience, helping you to prepare mind and body for spa treatments, but also offering lots of benefits in their own right. Basically, a thermal suite is where you go through lots of different temperature changes to open the pores and encourage perspiration. Therapeutic effects range from boosting the body’s natural defences and relieving stress, coughs and colds to rejuvenating the skin, boosting skin cells and promoting healthy cells. That’s in addition to the general enjoyment and spa health benefits of a good swim in a beautiful pool.
The Sound of Silence
Getting away from sonic disruptions allows our brains to restore themselves rather than constantly focusing on high order thinking, decision-making and problem-solving. Researchers found that two hours of silence each day led to the development of new cells in the hippocampus, associated with learning, memory and emotion. Basically, it gives the brain a little time to relax.
Spabreaks.com are offering a wider range of deals and offers for men as part of the Real Men Relax campaign. For further information go to: www.spabreaks.com.
