Category: Wellness, Page: 1

Self-care is a mainstream subject — which we love! — but how many of us really know what counts as self-care and how to make it part of our daily lives? We’re thinking that all of us could benefit from a self-care primer!

To help you get a jumpstart on self-care and feeling fabulous this season, we’d like to share a few tips we recently came across.

This spring, give yourself a wellness boost by:

Starting your day with water.

Most people don’t jump excitedly out of bed in the morning like you may see in some cereal commercials. Aside from the overall quality and amount of sleep we’ve gotten, we also generally don’t feel the best when we first wake up because we are slightly dehydrated. Drinking a glass of water first thing when you wake up can make a noticeable difference in helping you feel better and overall more awake and ready to start your day. Want to follow up immediately with a big cup of coffee? Be our guest, as long as the water comes first, since caffeine can be dehydrating.

Establishing healthy boundaries with technology.

Don’t feel bad if you work most of the day on a laptop or switching between your computer and phone. Most of us do! We all have to do our jobs. That being said, social media, online shopping, even online bill paying can all keep us staring at our screens for most of the non-working hours of the day. If you struggle with anxiety or burnout, it can help to deliberately distance yourself from your screens for at least a few hours every day. Everyone’s lifestyle and needs are unique, but we recommend activities that distract your mind from anxious thoughts in a pleasant way, such as:
● Reading
● Writing
● Puzzles
● Listening to music
● Cooking or baking
● Yoga or meditation
● Arts or crafts projects
● Dancing (one of AVIE! founder Kim Marinetto’s favorite things to do!)
…or anything else like this that can give your mind a break to relax and recharge. If you have trouble falling asleep, it’s recommended that you avoid technology for at least an hour before bed (or however long you can manage) to help prep your mind for a better night’s sleep.

Getting comfortable with saying no.

This one isn’t easy but can make a world of difference if you’re feeling overburdened. It’s hard to say “no,” especially to people you care about, but when we say “yes” to everything that’s asked of us, we are adding more to our own plate than we may be able to manage. This can result in feelings of resentment, stress or being overwhelmed. It’s easy to say “yes” and feel like you’re helping others, but if you’re stretching yourself too thin or ignoring your own needs in order to do so, it’s time to put your foot down and be clear with others when you need a helping hand. Saying “no” can even help you realize how often you typically say “yes” when you may not need to. We are here to remind you that your time and your wellness are as valuable as everyone else’s!

Schedule time for yourself with the AVIE! team.

This spring get started on your path to self-care and wellness with some of the most popular self-care treatments at AVIE! Two or our favorites are FDA-approved Botox^® and dermal fillers. These are tried-and-true solutions for smoothing and volumizing your look and turning back the hands of time with ease. AVIE! has actually performed over 315,000 Botox and dermal filler treatments since 2009.

This month, you can spring into self-care while SAVING with our April specials:

● Save up to $500 on EMSCULPT NEO^® if you schedule a consultation this month. EMSCULPT NEO is the first and only non-invasive body shaping procedure that combines HIFEM and radiofrequency to increase muscle tone by 25% and reduce stubborn fat by 30%. Achieve simultaneous fat elimination and muscle building in a 30-minute session.

● Tone & Tighten EMTONE^® Package: Save $2,000 on a package of 10 sessions.

● Lift & tighten while saving $1,000 on Ultherapy^® full face and neck treatment, our non-surgical facelift.

Owner and master esthetician Kim Marinetto, RN, along with Medical Director Khalique Zahir, MD, and their highly skilled team of nurses, nurse practitioners and aestheticians, are committed to providing specialized cosmetic and aesthetic programs to address your needs on an individual basis with personalized follow-ups. Get started today by calling us at (703) 870-3844 or requesting a consultation online.

Are you as ready as we are to say so long to 2020? Now that we’re in the final stretch of this long, arduous year, we’re filled to the brim with gratitude for all the gifts that 2020 has quietly provided. Please know that our hearts go out to all who have suffered as a result of the pandemic. We wish you joy and peace this holiday season and throughout the New Year!

Here’s our little list of 2020 gifts, and we hope it will inspire some of your own!

Gift #1: Working from home

Much of our country made an abrupt switch in March from working full-time in the office to working remotely. Here at AVIE!, our jobs can’t be performed remotely, of course, but we’ve been thrilled for all our clients who rave about how nice it has been to be able to start their work days earlier without a commute or having the flexibility to run errands or pick up the kids at a moment’s notice. Flexibility in the workplace is an amazing gift!

Gift #2: Slowing down

While it was hard to be limited to our houses when the gyms and restaurants closed, it forced us to simplify our schedule and change things up a bit. Our routine workouts at the gym were replaced by nature walks and other active outdoor pursuits. When we couldn’t eat out, many of us started cooking more. Working from home inspired many of us to forgo makeup and let our skin breathe … we’d love to hear — how did you slow down this year?

Gift #3: Investing in yourself

With more time on our hands, many of us were inspired to research our aesthetic interests, searching for the latest in medical-grade skin care products or results-driven aesthetic treatments. This is why medical spas, including us, experienced such a boom in business once we were allowed to reopen this summer. All of us were eager to spend time and money on our appearances because it provided a much-needed break from everyday stressors, helping to lower our stress and boost our mood. Plus, improving our appearance helped us feel better during all those Zoom meetings! Here at AVIE!, we always say that scheduling time for yourself with aesthetic treatments is a form of self-care, and we are privileged to be your providers!

We can’t wait to hear what’s on your 2020 gift list. Even better, we can’t wait to start a new year with you! Here’s to 2021!

Here at AVIE!, our goal is to keep you safe during this uncertain time. Please be assured that you can secure any discounts for our treatments and products by purchasing them over the phone, in advance. We can also arrange for curbside pickup of products. Simply call us at 703.870.3844, go online or request a consultation today.

Happy New Year from all of us here at AVIE! See you in 2021!

— Love, Kim

Sure, we all love cold-weather treats like hot chocolate and snowmen, but the winter can also bring stress for those of us who are affected by the lack of sunlight, not to mention the flu season and COVID-19. So far, 2020 has been a challenging year, to say the least, and as we approach the colder months, feelings of stress and depression can intensify for many of us. If you’re one of these people, we are here to tell you that you’re not alone! So many of us get down during the colder weather! But we also want you to know that we are committed to helping you feel great this season and all winter long. Wellness tools like practicing a little self-care at AVIE! can go a long way toward boosting your mood (so don’t forget to book your next Botox^® or BBL^™!).

In the spirit of self-care, we wanted to share a story we recently came across on mindfulness, and how it may help us all to lower our stress levels. Research indicates that practicing mindfulness can help people with cancer to better cope with stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue and sleep problems — and it may even lower blood pressure and inflammation!

What exactly is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is simple! All it means is focusing your attention on the present moment. Well, there’s a bit more to it. It also involves adjusting your perspective in life to feelings of openness and acceptance. If you stop for a moment, you’ll soon realize how hard it actually is to be mindful! Most of us do everything except focus on the present: We daydream about the past and worry about the future…the present moment isn’t really thought about much at all.

How can you be more mindful?

The key is to become aware of your thoughts, feelings and sensations and try to observe them in a nonjudgmental way. It’s OK to have thoughts — the goal isn’t to be “blank” — but to simply observe yourself in the moment. As you sit quietly, observing your thoughts and accepting where you are, you are practicing mindfulness meditation. There’s really not much else to it.

Did you know that mindfulness meditation is the most widely studied and used type of meditation within medical settings? Isn’t that neat? If you’d like to learn more about mindfulness, here are a few sources to check out:
● Mindfulness Center at Brown University
● UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness
● American Institute for Cancer Research

Mindfulness meditation is a great way to practice self-care, so don’t forget to make time for yourself to simply be in the moment. And when you are ready to take time for yourself by treating yourself to your favorite skin and body treatments at AVIE!, please call us at 703.870.3844 or request a consultation online today!

— Kim

Here at AVIE!, our goal is to help you live an amazing life! You deserve the best!
Whether you’re attending socially-distant BBQs or hanging in the shade at home, we thought we’d share a few interesting wellness tips for your skin and body to carry you through the end of summer and beyond.

When spending time outdoors…

• Skip the perfume and wear darker colors.
We all hate bug bites! Did you know that you can reduce your risk of getting bitten by not wearing brightly colored clothing or perfume when you’re outside? Insects are attracted to bright colors and scents, so avoiding these things makes you less appealing to those pesky critters.

For your best complexion…

• Skip morning face wash (if you want), but NEVER skip your PM cleanse!
Dermatologists everywhere agree that if you can only do one facial wash, do it at night before bed. This is because the day blankets your skin with all kinds of debris, from pollution and pollen to sebum (oil), dirt and other irritants, which can clog your pores and cause breakouts. Washing away all the impurities from a busy day makes perfect sense. The other benefit to nighttime washing is that you’re priming your skin for the application of results-driven skin care products so they can better penetrate your skin. For radiant, youthful-looking skin, you should be applying a retinol-type product at night after you cleanse. We can help you establish your ideal nighttime skin care routine during your next visit. We offer a leading range of proven, age-defying skin care, so we can set you up in no time flat!

• SPF! Of course, we couldn’t write a blog about summer safety tips without mentioning sunscreen. Be religious about applying an SPF of at least 30 every day, and reapply frequently!

When grilling food…
We love grilling our food in the summer! While cooking meat at extremely high temperatures has been shown to produce unhealthy chemicals, there are steps you can take to make your grilling healthier, such as marinating your meat, fish or poultry first. Research indicates that marinating your food for at least 30 minutes before grilling it helps reduce the formation of cancer-causing chemicals. Use a marinade that includes vinegar, lemon juice or wine, as well as spices, herbs and oil. The other tip is to use a lower flame!

We can’t believe summer is almost over! But guess what — another beautiful season is coming up. We love autumn! To learn about our life-affirming philosophy and body-positive services here at AVIE!, please call us at 703.870.3844 or request a consultation online today.

— Kim

Source used in blog:
If You’re Thinking About Skipping Your Nightly Face Wash, You Might Want to Read This

As we approach a “new normal” together, we wanted to take a moment here at AVIE! to let you know that your safety and health is our most urgent priority now and always. Please know that our staff is taking every precaution possible to ensure your safety, and we will continue to do so long after the pandemic has passed.

Your vitality is our livelihood — it’s what we’re all about! Our team is passionate about helping you live your fullest life, free from fear and insecurities, and we will do everything in our power to help you achieve your personal best both comfortably and safely. It’s why we’re scrubbing down the office every night and in between patient visits, accepting contactless payment and spacing appointments to limit the number of people in the office at any given time. Your health is our first priority and always will be!
Now that the world is starting to open back up again, we wanted to take a moment to discuss you! Are you ready to get back out there? Are you worried about your safety? To help you stay calm and carry on during this unprecedented time, here are a few tips from the Centers for Disease Control about safely returning to normal:
1. Grocery shopping: Even if your state is opened up, you can still benefit from online ordering or curbside pick-up. Those options have always been available and they are super convenient. When shopping in person, avoid busy hours. You should also disinfect your shopping cart handle, avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes, and use a disinfectant after leaving the store. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds as soon as you return home.
2. All errands in general: Use touchless payment if possible. Stay 6 feet apart from others. Wash your hands as soon as you return home.
3. Collecting mail/visiting the post office: Wash your hands after getting and opening your mail.
4. Banking: Bank online when you can. If you must use an ATM, clean the screen off first with a disinfectant wipe. Be sure to wash your hands immediately when you return home.
5. Getting gas: Use disinfecting wipes on the gasoline handle and all payment buttons. Be sure to wash your hands as soon as you return home.
Now, for feeling your absolute best:
1. Stay active: Get a little exercise every day. Every little bit of activity counts, even if it’s running up and down the stairs while you’re doing the laundry. Short bursts of activity provide big health benefits by boosting blood flow, releasing endorphins, reducing stress and helping you stay balanced.
2. Practice mindfulness: Taking moments throughout your day to be quiet and in the moment is clinically proven to help reduce stress and help stabilize your mood. Reducing stress is critical to your overall health by helping your immune system stay strong while also improving your mood.
3. Treat yourself! You’re probably well-versed in taking care of others, so it might be a challenge for you to treat yourself. But the mind-body experts all concur, based on research, that treating yourself is vital to maintaining your overall health. Breaking your day up with little rewards for yourself helps to avoid monotony and boost your mood. So, how can you treat yourself today? A few easy ideas we love: eating a piece or two of dark chocolate, which is packed with skin-boosting antioxidants, or scheduling your next injectables or skin treatment with us!
We can’t wait to help you look and feel amazing, and we are here to help you any way we can! To learn more about our treatments, please call 703.870.3844 or request a personal consultation online today!
Source for blog:
Running Essential Errands: Grocery Shopping, Take-Out, Banking, Getting Gas, and Doctor Visits