A spa day can be just the thing to provide a much-needed break from the workaday world. Yet most of us aren’t able to get away nearly as often as we would like or even as often as we really need, so it becomes very important to make the most the days when we can. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for planning your ultimate spa day.

First, figure out what kind of day you want to have. Do you need some time with your significant other, some relaxed social time with a group of friends, a day to unwind in the company of your bestie, or just one glorious day spent by yourself and on yourself? All of the above can be great ways to experience a spa, but remember that the ultimate goal is to come out refreshed, relaxed, and ready to face the world again, so be sure to think about who, if anyone, will help you reach that goal. No matter what you decide, the Spa at Rumbling Bald Resort offers all the services you’ll need for your perfect day.

Next, make a massage the central part of your spa day. There are some things you will want to do before the massage and others that are better saved until afterwards, so schedule this portion of your day first, and plan around it. Keep in mind that you don’t want a heavy meal before a massage, so eat relatively lightly, and at least an hour before. Moreover, give yourself at least another hour after the massage before your next meal. So, if your ideal day includes both lunch and dinner, try to schedule either a morning or mid-afternoon massage.

Before your massage is the best time to take advantage of the spa’s heat treatments. A little time in the Spa at Rumbling Bald’s dry sauna, steam room, or heated whirlpool before you go in for your massage will get your muscles nice and warm, and make it easier for you to relax so your massage therapist can get the best results. Also be sure to drink lots of water throughout your spa day, both before and after your massage, to help keep you hydrated and to flush out the toxins that the massage will release from stressed muscles.

After your massage is the best time for beauty treatments, as you relax and let one of Rumbling Bald’s personal therapists give you a facial treatment, pedicure, manicure, or all three. Afterwards, head over to the salon to get ready to finish off the day with dinner overlooking Lake Lure at Rumbling Bald’s Lakeview Restaurant. With the right planning, and the help of Rumbling Bald’s experienced therapists, you’ll be amazed at how much stress you can melt away in a single day.