Hi everyone,
as you may have followed up in the news, the majority of Essex including Southend has been moved into the new "Tier 4" as from 20 December 2020, which means that close contact businesses such as beauty parlours, salons and massage spas must again close as they did under the November national lockdown restrictions.
While this is again very sad news for the affected businesses and the wider community, as we again cannot offer our services, we hope that by staying closed we are contributing our share to stopping the spread of the Coronavirus and saving lives of our beloved ones and the vulnerable. I know that the number of sudden changes in Government regulations are not just disappointing and confusing but also very frustrating and devastating to our personal lives and economy, and like everyone I hope that everyone can do their share so that these unusual times may be soon counted.
With Christmas and New Year celebrations being as good as cancelled this year in the South East of England, it is more than ever important that we remind ourselves to allow "me time" to get through these weeks when the days are short, the weather is unpleasant and our morale and mental health is being challenged. Being a massage therapist is not just a job, it is a lifestyle choice where I look to keep healthy in many different ways - fresh air, sufficient exercise, a balanced diet, doing spiritual work and most of all giving myself a bit of pampering. These are things that everyone can do at any stage of their life, however small or big it is done. Bring a bit of aromatherapy into your own four walls by lighting scented candles that use natural and organic ingredients as well as natural essential oils. Take relaxing baths with Epsom or bath salts and natural essences. Don't forget to add some fresh herbs to your cooking to get all that nature's goodness. Southend is blessed with miles of beaches (my favourite is Shoebury East), so wrap yourselves up, go for a walk and blow away those mental and emotional cobwebs. Within Tier 4 regulations, you may exercise outdoors with one person from another household. And don't forget to stretch those muscles, loosen those joints and drink plenty of water - it's the small things that make most difference in days like these!
Until I can open for business again, stay safe, stay healthy and don't forget to give yourselves that extra portion of love that it now most needed.
Reuben
