Scientists have named the effect that the combination of soothing smells and sounds of water has on our brain “blue space”. The relaxed feeling that we get at the beach —reduced stress, a boost in creativity, an uplifted mood and even a new perspective on life—is the brain’s reaction to its environment. Whether we swim in the water, dip our toes in it or sit by it under an umbrella, we’re in for a treat that’s worth all the preparation, starting with a beach towel.

A visit to Thoughtful Threads, in Naples to pick out a brightly colored beach towel and colorful cover-up made of sustainably sourced fabrics, including organic cotton, eucalyptus, bamboo or hemp, gives any beach-goer what it takes to mark their little piece of paradise in the sand.

Getting A Head Start

Summer rays aren’t necessary to jumpstart a golden glow with an organic spray tan using no chemicals at Organic Skincare & Bodyworx, in Naples. “It will help you look your best in any bathing suit. We also have mineral makeup that is sunscreen for the face. Applied as a powder that sits on the skin’s surface, it contains zinc and titanium for all-day sun protection. It stays on in the water as long as you don't wipe your face,” says shop owner Jayne Koedding.

The day spa’s massage therapist offers a manual cupping treatment for reducing the appearance of cellulite. Cupping helps stretch and relax hardened connective tissue beneath the skin, increasing elasticity and helping reduce the dimpled appearance of cellulite.

Sculpting The Body

Cryoskin spa technology, administered by Shelle Misiorowski, a trained Cryoskin technician and owner of Trim & Tone Med Spa, in Naples, offers immediate visible results in cellulite reduction, slimming and toning. The treatment begins with heat, followed by a decrease in temperature to minus-eight degrees Fahrenheit for the duration of the session. “The best results appear from 15 days to three weeks following the first session, and extend for several months afterwards,” says Misiorowski.

“At Assuage Luxury Spas, in Naples and Fort Myers, we sculpt the body with SculpSure, a non-invasive body contouring treatment utilized to permanently reduce stubborn, unwanted fat cells on the tummy, love handles, and thighs,” says Andrea Martin, spa owner and manager.

Shedding Weight

If weight loss is a goal for fitting into a new swimsuit, CiroThin, a doctor-supervised weight-loss program offered by Dr. Debra Hopp in Cape Coral, as well as the hCG diet supervised by Dr. Christine Hoch, in Fort Myers, can provide the solution. Both include dietary and behavioral modification guidance, as well as a strategy for maintaining long-term weight loss.

“ChiroThin is a natural dietary supplement containing nutritional ingredients aiding fatty acid transportation, fatty acid metabolism, blood sugar stabilization and increasing metabolism and detoxification. “The supplement allows the body to more efficiently metabolize fat and use it as energy when consuming healthy and specific amounts of anti-inflammatory foods with a low glycemic index and fewer calories,” clarifies Hopp, who used the program to lose weight quickly and maintain the loss. “My body established a higher metabolic rate.”

Central body fat around internal organs puts undue pressure on the heart, acts as storage for hormones and toxins, which influence glandular and hormone function, and can have a negative influence on insulin and metabolism. “This is the fat that the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) diet is superior in targeting. With my metabolic weight loss program, patients typically lose one-half to one pound per day, so they stay motivated to stick to their healthy eating plan. Caloric intake can be reduced comfortably without hunger because the body is supported by the hCG hormone which assists the body in using the stored body fat for fuel, naturally suppressing the appetite. I support my patients nutritionally which helps improve digestion and hormone balance. This program has been a great tool in assisting patients with autoimmune disorders, diabetes, digestive disorders and other conditions, to alter their diets in a healthy way that impacts their health in a positive way,” explains Hoch.

Dance Away Pounds

“One evening of salsa, jive and swing dancing won’t immediately help anyone to shed weight, yet all the dance steps quickly accumulate to reach the 10,000 steps we need to be healthy. What makes a larger impact on reaching a weight loss goal is becoming a regular in our private or group dance classes, combined with open dance nights and dance parties, where students increase stamina, improve circulation, have fun and lose weight,” says Roman Gomez, owner of AllStar Dance Studio, in Naples.

Help For Bloating Bodies

David Martin, acupuncture physician and owner of Lotus Blossom Clinic, in Fort Myers, suggests avoiding sugar, dairy, wheat, corn and corn products as well as any GMO foods. “These create bloating and inflammation. Our patients are surprised by weight dropping off when they stop eating these,” says Martin, who also recommends supporting the body and its trillions of organisms with the rich source of probiotics in raw fermented foods and medicinal fermented drinks such as kombucha, a digestive aid. “These help regulate metabolism and feed the microbiome. Don’t purchase ‘pasteurized’ or ‘heated’ fermented foods, as the probiotics are likely dead,” advises the licensed acupuncturist.

Pain-Free Beach Walking

If walking on uneven surfaces such as sand is challenging, prolotherapy can provide relief from knee instability that causes knee pain. When ligaments are strong and tight, they are able to support the forces on the knee from the uneven terrain. “A painful knee often swells in an effort to stabilize the joint. Prolotherapy targets the supportive structures of the joint, strengthening them the way a screwdriver tightens the loosened screw in a wobbly hinge,” says Dr. Ross Hauser, owner of Caring Medical Regenerative Medicine Clinics, in Fort Myers.

Summer Cuts And Hair Care

Naples hairstylists agree that hair requires special care and protection during summer beach time. Mida, owner of H&M Salon and Edmond, who sees clients at Salon Zenergy, in Naples, offer suggestions.

Unlike straight hair, scalp oils can’t travel down the shaft of curly hair, leaving curls prone to dryness and craving nourishing, hydrating products. Different types of curls need different types of care to look their best. “While cut is key, the products used are essential to keeping hair moist, but not frizzy. I use an oil to deter frizz, scrunch it with a wet towel and leave it to dry naturally,” says Mida.

The most common mistake is not protecting hair before going to the beach or pool. Sun, chlorine, sand and humidity suck moisture from the hair, leaving it dry, brittle and vulnerable to breakage. “I recommend wetting the hair before applying a UV protectant, followed by a deep conditioning hair mask. Adding to the mask organic coconut oil that contains vitamin E, lauric acid and capric acid promotes protein regrowth in the hair, making it stronger and smoother. Putting hair in a loose braid afterwards and taking it out when you are ready to go to the beach, cerates loose and natural beach waves,” remarks Edmond.

Pack A Hydrating And Nourishing Drink

Kellie, at For Goodness Sake, in Bonita Springs, suggests taking along a thirst quenching, refreshing iced moringa tea. “Every day, we make a big pitcher of fresh brewed iced moringa tea with fresh ginger, lemons and a touch of Sunny Grove CBD-infused local honey. It’s tasty and packed with amazing health benefits. We also have fresh, organic juices, smoothies and sandwiches, along with perfect to-go fare for beach days.”
 
The store also carries Solar Recover’s Save Your Skin, an all-natural, spray-on moisturizer and Solar Recover’s Save Your Hair, the ultimate recovery spray for sun-damaged hair, in addition to White Pelican Natural Organic Sunscreen.

A Summer Read For A Beach Tote

While lazing under a beach umbrella, relish a good summer read such as Cate Montana’s new provocative and powerful metaphysical novel Apollo and Me. Other good reads recommended by Goddess I Am, in Naples, The Path of Being, in Fort Myers and Mystical Moon, in Bonita Springs and Fort Myers, include Rise Sister Rise: A Guide to Unleashing the Wise, Wild Woman Within by Rebecca Campbell, Remembering Our Spiritual Journey: The 12 Keys for Awakening the Memory of Who You Are and Why You are Here, by Karen Korp, the ever popular Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz, and The Empath's Survival Guide, by Judith Orloff, M.D., as well as many others found on the shelves of these local merchants.

Before, During And After Beach Time Self-Care

Naples Ayurvedic practitioner Christina Karlin proposes including a bottle of coconut oil in a beach tote. “Apply the oil liberally all over the body and lay down for 20 minutes to let it penetrate. It keeps you cool,” advises Karlin, who also recommends rubbing the combination of a paste made with finely ground chickpea powder and coconut oil on the feet to treat them to foot peel after the beach. The paste can also be used as a full body scrub, followed by an application of either sesame or coconut oil.

Eliminate Skin Havoc

Moisturize with a water-based, rather than oil-based moisturizer after every shower to lock in water molecules. Wear hats and sunglasses for extra protection. Go light on makeup to avoid clogging the pores and carry a spray mist to use throughout the day to keep skin moist.

Technologies For Radiant Skin At All Times

In Naples, Purely You Spa’s new advanced anti-aging skin resurfacing facial experience with Dermal Infusion exfoliates, extracts and infuses a potent, botanically based serum into the skin. This non-invasive treatment requires no downtime and is the only exfoliation-to-serum technology with optimal depth delivery and long-lasting, significant and immediate results. “Rosacea, fine lines, wrinkles, acne, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, as well as dry, rough and sensitive skin or melasma skin tone benefit from this treatment that also includes a facial lymph drainage, in addition to lip and eye exfoliation, extraction and hydration,” says spa owner Jennifer Alvarez Linguidi.

The latest technologies to combat sun damage and signs of aging on the face, neck, chest, arms and hands at Assuage Luxury Spas is Lutronic Genius, an intelligent, radio-frequency microneedling device approved for all skin tones. “The Genius offers precise radio frequency delivered through gold-plated needles directly into the dermis to jumpstart the production of collagen, which significantly improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, scars and skin texture,” advises Martin.

Sunshine might be the best medicine for body, mind and soul, but too much of a good thing burns the skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer. Therapy-grade essential oils provide a natural remedy for sunburn. “A homemade spray made with peppermint, lavender, aloe vera juice and coconut oil is a to-the-rescue remedy,” say Susie and Peter Bagwell, owners of I Love Oils, in Fort Myers.

Local Resources

All Star Dance Studio, 4910 Tamiami Tr. N, Ste. 118, Naples, 239-304-9013. AllStarDanceStudio.com.

Assuage Luxury Spa, 9407 Cypress Lake Dr., Ste. C, Fort Myers; 1201 Piper Blvd Ste. 1, Naples. 239- 333-1450. AssuageCenters.com.

Caring Medical Regenerative Medicine Clinics, 9738 Commerce Center Ct., Fort Myers. 239-308-4747. CaringMedical.com.

Christina Carlin, 501 Goodlette Rd., Ste. A107, Naples. 239-450-6903.

Dr. Debra Hopp, 3321 Del Prado Blvd. Ste. 10, Cape Coral. 239-540-1300. DrHoppOnline.com.

Fort Myers Chiropractic Studio, 12655 New Brittany Blvd., Ste. 13W, Fort Myers. 239-243-8735. FortMyersChiroStudio.com.

For Goodness Sake, 9118 Bonita Beach Rd. SE, Bonita Springs. 239-992-5838.  ForFoodnessSakes.com.

Goddess I Am, 600 Goodlette Rd., Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAm.com.

H&M Hair Salon, Heritage Court Plaza, 5020 Tamiami Tr. N. Ste. 102, Naples. 239-298-2569. [email protected].

I Love Oils, 17030 Alico Commerce Ct., Ste. 303, Fort Myers. 239-689-3649. ILoveOils.com.

Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd., Ste. 2, Fort Myers. 239-277-1399. AcupunctureInFortMyers.com.

Mystical Moon, 8890 Salrose Lane, Ste. 107, Fort Myers, 239-939-3339; 8951 Bonita Beach Rd., Ste. 255, Bonita Springs, 239-301-0655. TheMysticalMoon.com.

Organic Skincare & Bodyworx, 13240 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 207, Naples. 239-514-4494. OrganicSkincareAndBodyworx.com.

The Path of Being, 15248 S. Tamiami Tr., Ste. 300 Fort Myers, 239-437-5141. ThePathOfBeing.com.

Purely You Spa, 3066 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 302, Naples. 239-331-8266. PurelyYouSpa.com.

Salon Zenergy, 2950 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 4, Naples. 773.882.7799. SalonZenergy.com.

Simply Divine Skin and Wellness, 1044 Costello Dr., Ste. 102, Naples. 239-989-5995.

Thoughtful Threads, 2144 Tamiami Tr. N., Naples. 239-213-2222. FoodandThought.com.

Trim & Tone Med Spa, Marquesa Plaza, 13020 Livingston Rd., Ste. 16, Naples. 239-596-5522. TrimAndToneSpa.com.