Self Care Sessions: Aveda Lifestyle at James Dun’s House

When people meet me for the first time, something that they usually notice is how enthusiastic I am. It’s no secret at all that I am a cheerful person, and I’m often found bouncing around my day like a human version of Tigger going from one place to the next! But as much as I like to think I have an endless supply of energy, I can burn myself out if I keep on at the same pace without resting or looking after myself.

Last year, I wrote a little something about learning how to say no and trying to balance things a bit more realistically. I’m still making sure that I do this, but at the same time I’m also setting aside time for healthy self care and relaxation so that when it’s ‘Tigger time’, I can really give my best work. I think that it’s perfectly fine to feel happy but still recognise the need to pace yourself, don’t you?

I thought that this would be a good time to introduce a new feature in which I can share the ways that I’ve been investing time and care into myself, in case any of you guys have been feeling the pressure and are looking for ways to balance things a bit better too. Welcome to my Self Care Sessions!

Today, I’m kicking things off with my recent experience at the Aveda Lifestyle Spa - based in the city centre at James Dun’s House…

Last Thursday, my body was telling me that I needed to STOP. My muscles were tense, I was feeling tired and I’m pretty sure if someone had turned the lights out, I would have fallen asleep! So, it was a very happy coincidence that I was already booked into the tranquil lower ground spa of James Dun’s House for an afternoon of Aveda treatments.

James Dun’s House is ridiculously easy to find, yet I bet some of you walk right past it often (it’s OK - I did too, until I realised what it was!). Just off George Square, it is right in the centre of town and anyone from locals to visitors couldn’t possibly get lost looking for it!

Inside, the bright reception area also doubles as a salon store, where you can stock up on your favourite Aveda goodies. My spa therapist, Linzi, led me through the chic beauty salon (which is extended over the ground and first floors) and downstairs into the spa. The salon was a hub of activity with a few clients in for hair appointments, and the sound of chattering and blow dries got more and more faint as we headed underground until suddenly I couldn’t hear anything at all.

I was invited to relax in the lounge area while Linzi prepared the room for my treatment. I sipped Aveda’s liquorice and peppermint tea and started to feel my busy day slowly lift away while admiring the pretty lanterns on the wall. The spa has very relaxing low lighting - making it ideal for busting stress and strain, but not so great for photos! Still, even if I can’t share too many images here, I CAN fill you in on how I got on in the treatment room!

Aveda have a new bespoke range of treatments for this year that can be fully customised to meet the needs of each client, delivering a truly personal sensory journey. I chose the Aroma Body Wrap and decided to customise it with rosemary mint. I love anything that smells like mint, and the Aveda Aroma promised to refresh and invigorate. Who could say no to that?

Linzi firstly took me through a consultation, so that the treatment could be personally designed for me. She also explained what I could expect (even covering those awkward spa newbie questions like “what clothes should I leave on?”) and made me feel at ease right away. After changing into my fluffy robe, we started with a foot bath and scrub, which I really enjoyed, before I hopped up onto the bed.

After some body brushing to get my circulation going, my arms, legs, chest, tummy and back were covered in a warm seaweed mask. The mask worked its detoxifying magic on my skin while my therapist gave me a reflexology foot massage and pressure point scalp massage. The smell of rosemary and mint flowed through my entire treatment (even a few drops were added to the foot bath) and the uplifting scent surrounded me without being overpowering.

I was wrapped in aromatic how towels (fragranced with - you guessed it - more refreshing Aveda rosemary and mint!) and I took some deep, relaxing breaths. This part of the treatment was so blissful that I very nearly fell asleep! I managed to stop myself from letting out a little snore just before Linzi gently told me that it was time to get into the shower (which is custom-built into the treatment room) and wash off the mask, which exfoliated my skin as I rinsed it.

Linzi left me to shower and get dried, before returning to the room when I was ready for the final part of my treatment. By this point, I was very refreshed and calm, feeling a bit like I was on another planet. The only sounds were the soft chimes of the background music and it was really hard to believe we were so close to any other people - let alone George Square at dinner time!

We finished up with a full body massage using lotion and the fragrant oil, which was probably my favourite part of my treatment. I think taking the time to just be quiet, not focus on anything but my breathing and simply enjoy some pampering was just what I needed to clear my head. Plus, my muscles felt amazing afterwards - I walked out of the spa feeling an extra foot taller!

After my treatment ended, and I was dressed Linzi brought me some cool water to drink and took me through some aftercare advice. I couldn’t resist one final sniff of the rosemary and mint lotion, that invigorating smell is super addictive.

While in the spa, I lost all awareness of time - there are no clocks and because it was so quiet I had no idea how long I had been in for! I floated out of James Dun’s House feeling like I was walking on a cloud and headed home in a little blissful bubble! That night, I slept like a baby - the relaxing effect of my treatment clearly stayed with me for the rest of the night…

My afternoon with Aveda was the little slice of heaven that I had been craving and I felt re-energised and raring to go the next morning. If you’re looking for a spa experience in the city centre, James Dun’s House have a range of body and beauty treatments available. I would also highly recommend at least trying the ritual of lying down in silence, closing your eyes and breathing deeply - I found it worked wonders, and having the Aveda treatment along with it took it to the next level!

Have you ever visited James Dun’s House? What are your self-care rituals?

Balancing bouncing and breathing…

With thanks to James Dun’s House for helping me to relax!