Massages are great gifts for those people who have everything.

Last-minute gift shopping is like a one-way ticket to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated -- especially when you find yourself wading through overcrowded shopping centers. But there's a healthy gift idea that virtually everyone will love that requires no time or wrapping paper -- a massage gift card. Can you honestly think of one person who wouldn't want one of those (especially during the busy holiday season?).

Massage services like Zeel and Soothe offer on-demand, in-home massages that make it easier and more convenient than ever to get a massage and feel relaxed fast. Long gone are the days of having to book a massage weeks in advance, and waste precious time commuting to and waiting in a spa. Now, you can get one in the comfort of your own home, with as little as 1 hour's notice.

Both Soothe and Zeel offer on-demand, in-home massages practically any time of the day and most days of the year (including holidays). And both services offer special membership pricing if you lock into a monthly or yearly subscription, letting you save a significant amount of money than if you were to book one-off massages. Keep reading for more details and how to decide which option is best for you or someone special in your life.

Slightly cheaper than Zeel, more international location options

Soothe on-demand, in-home massage offers therapists that can come to you 7 days a week, and any day (including holidays). Soothe offers pretty flexible time slots, with the ability to book massages starting at 8 a.m. until midnight. And you only need about 1 hour's notice to book a masseuse. Soothe offers six different types of massages, including sports massage, prenatal and couples massage options. Once you book through the app, you can expect a masseuse to arrive with everything you need for a spa-like in-home massage experience. They bring the table, sheets, lotion/oil and even provide relaxing music to make the experience complete.

Although you can book a one-time massage through Soothe (and you can purchase a gift card for one), a membership can save you a significant amount of money in the long term.

This is the standard pricing that Soothe offers, but the rates are subject to change based on location/region.

60-minute massage

90-minute massage

120-minute massage

Soothe Plus Monthly and Yearly memberships offer you a significant discount and allow your massage credits to roll over if you don't use them each month -- and they don't expire (which is a huge plus). If you're thinking about joining, you should know that you can cancel the monthly membership at any time, but you won't be allowed to resubscribe for 6 months. If you cancel the yearly membership, you won't be refunded and you can't subscribe again for another 6 months. However, the yearly credits will remain on your account and you can still use the remaining credits.

Soothe is available in 66 cities across the US, Canada, UK and Australia. If you travel a lot, this is a huge plus since you'll have access to massage therapists almost anywhere.

Better for people who travel often in the US

Zeelis pretty similar to Soothe in terms of services, availability and price, except for a few differences. You can still expect the same on-demand, in-home service, and you can book a massage up until midnight in most places. Similar to Soothe, Zeel offers membership options that allow you to save a significant amount on massages if you commit to a monthly or yearly plan. The biggest difference between Zeel and Soothe, is that you can't book a one-time massage with Zeel and you have to commit to at least 2 months or two massages.

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Like Soothe, Zeel's pricing is based on location/region. The prices below are the rates for booking in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, in New York City. (Zeel does include tax and tip in the prices.)

60-minute massage

Like Soothe, Zeel does offer options for longer massages, but the monthly credit only covers 60 minutes, so you will have to pay more for a longer service (Zeel doesn't advertise the cost for longer services). The credits you accrue each month for a massage do roll over if you don't use them, and they don't expire. Zeel has more locations (70+) than Soothe, but all of them are in the US. So if your travels don't take you outside the country much, Zeel may be a better fit.

Deciding which massage service is right for you or a loved one is all about personal preferences and lifestyle. If you're willing to commit to a yearly membership and love the idea of having a professional massage table at your house, then Zeel may be right for you. But if you travel often, especially overseas and still want to take advantage of your monthly massage membership, than Soothe may be your best bet. Both services give you tons of options in terms of location, type of massage, and offer similar price points, with Soothe costing slightly less.

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Soothe vs. Zeel: Which on-demand massage service is best? - CNET

Share on PinterestThe stress of your daily commute can take a toll on your health over time, but listening to music can help reduce this effect. Getty Images

When youre stuck in heavy traffic, its very common to feel stressed. Many things can go wrong while youre on the road, causing your heart to race and your blood pressure to soar.

Research indicates that the stress of your daily commute may take its toll over time. Driving stress has been implicated as a risk factor of both heart disease and heart attack.

You dont have to succumb to this stress, however. Researchers say your best weapon against it may, in fact, be your car stereo.

In an October 2019 study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, researchers looked at how music affected heart stress.

They chose five healthy women for the study. They were 18 to 23 years old.

Study author Vitor Engrcia Valenti notes only women were chosen for this study because previous studies provided evidence that women are more sensitive to auditory stimulation.

Valenti says he and his team chose people for the study who they considered to be non-habitual drivers.

They did this because they felt that more experienced drivers would have an easier time coping with stress.

The researchers then had the five women drive the same route under the same circumstances on two different days. The only difference? The second day they were listening to instrumental music on the car stereo.

To judge how stress was affecting the women, the researchers used heart rate monitors attached to their chest.

They used the monitors to look at heart rate variability.

Heart rate variability refers to changes in the amount of time between heartbeats that occur as you go about your daily life.

Heart rate variability increases during relaxation and decreases during stress.

When the researchers looked at the data from the heart rate monitors, they found that heart rate variability was greater when the women drove with music, meaning they were more relaxed.

According to Valenti, During a stressful situation, the sympathetic nervous system releases catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) in the blood, increasing cardiac demand, heart rate, and blood pressure.

When this occurs, he said, Persons with cardiovascular risks (obese, diabetics, high LDL cholesterol levels) are more vulnerable to sudden death caused by stress.

Dr. Satjit Bhusri, assistant professor of cardiology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, further noted, We are starting to understand more and more the concept of stress-induced heart disease, otherwise known as broken heart syndrome.

Broken heart syndrome, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a condition that can be triggered by stress or extreme emotion. It can sometimes also be brought on by illness or surgery.

During an episode of broken heart syndrome, part of the heart is temporarily unable to pump normally. The rest of the heart either continues on as usual or pumps more forcefully.

People with broken heart syndrome may experience symptoms similar to a heart attack, such as chest pain.

However, its a treatable condition. Usually the heart returns to normal within a few days or weeks.

Can chronic stress cause additional problems with the heart?

Dr. Ragavendra Baliga, a cardiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, thinks its possible.

It is well recognized that extreme stress for example loss of a child can result in enlargement of the heart (takotsubo cardiomyopathy). It would not surprise me if lesser amounts of stress have an impact on the heart, but generally it is a resilient organ, he said.

Considering that stress during driving is one of the more intense risks for cardiac sudden complications, this scientific evidence provides results to motivate people to listen to music during driving, Valenti said.

As far as the type of music you should be listening to, Baliga points to a 2017 study that suggests that low arousal classical music was the most likely to put someone in a more relaxed state.

Valenti and his team used instrumental music for their study, noting that language content in the music has a different impact, depending upon the individual.

Moreover, a previous study published by our group reported that the same instrumental music improved the effects of antihypertensive medication, he said.

So, when stress hits, your best bet for relaxing yourself is probably to play something slow and soothing without any voice content, such as classical or instrumental music.

In addition to playing relaxing music, there are other things you can do to reduce your stress even more.

Geico offers the following suggestions for reducing your stress while driving:

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Listening to Music While Driving May Put the Brakes on Driving Stress - Healthline

Photo: Diane Anderson|For Hearst Illinois

Amy Camie is not one to rest on her laurels. Shes always growing, always pursuing the next level, with most of it revolving around her talent as a harpist and her love of music, most particularly about the healing powers it can invoke.

And shes bringing the relaxing sound of her harp to the area for a holiday concert at the Jacoby Arts Center, and two conscious self-care programs in St. Louis to give everyone a chance to experience it.

Originally from Godfrey, Camie now lives in Creve Coeur, Missouri. In August, she graduated as what she said is the only certified clinical musician in Missouri. Many of the concepts taught to become a therapeutic musician are the same as what Camie has been sharing for years in presentations such as Vibrational Awareness & The Healing Power of Music.

I realized Ive always been a therapeutic musician without the credentials, she said. In August, I completed the Harp for Healing certification program, accredited through the National Standards Board of Therapeutic Musicians. I now have a name for the type of music I play naturally - inspired therapeutic solo harp music.

This awareness led to a newly released compilation CD, Loves Gentle Embrace that includes specifically chosen tracks from her previous CDs, along with a new extended single, recorded during her certification process, reflecting a specific style of therapeutic playing that transports the listener into a state of deep relaxation, comfort and peace.

Camies music has provided comfort to people for more than three decades, after accidentally discovering its healing powers when she played it for a sick friend, who said it made her relax and feel better.

It all really started with a homemade cassette tape I did for my friend, Pat Clark, in 1987, Camie said. It is truly a dream come true that it has touched so many people since then.

Camie began playing the harp when she was in the fourth grade, encouraged by her musical parents, Jean and Ken Conrady, both former music teachers in the Alton School District.

Her solo harp CDs, specifically The Magic Mirror, have been used in several research studies indicating how her music increases neurological functioning, supports the immune system and reduces pain, distress and anxiety levels, and is beneficial for general relaxation and stress reduction.

Ive always felt like a steward of the music; gently listening and following a higher conductor as the energy of the music expands around the globe, Camie said.

Earlier this year, she and a group of doctors compiled the qEEG brainwave and immune system biomarkers research they originally performed several years ago with The Magic Mirror into a paper entitled Effect of Specific Music on Psychoneuroimmunological Responses that was published in The International Journal of Oncology Research, an open access, peer-reviewed online medical journal. Additional authors of the piece are Drs. Abdul Waheed, David Kossor and William Collins.

My passion for exploring the healing benefits of music continued this year by collaborating with a team of researchers at a prestigious cancer center, Camie said. We designed a new feasibility study with The Magic Mirror CD, and are in the final stages of approval. This study can help further increase the awareness between music therapy and therapeutic music, a distinction not currently well-known within the healthcare field.

One of the differences between music therapy and therapeutic music, Camie said, is that music therapy involves prescriptive or outcome-based work, with specific and personalized goals that address the needs of each patient.

Therapeutic music, on the other hand, involves playing music for patients, often at the bedside, without any specific goals or outcomes, she explained. Therapeutic musicians are trained to address the needs of the whole person and play music to promote the natural healing process.

Benefits of therapeutic music include pain management, increased relaxation, anxiety relief, lowering of blood pressure and assisting the dying by easing their transition. Patients can benefit greatly from both music therapy and therapeutic music, she added.

Camies dream is to gift the recorded music to patients and families to reach more of those who could benefit from it.

Music can soothe, motivate, console and inspire, all through the concepts of resonance, sympathetic vibration and entrainment. Taken a step further, since everything in the universe is vibrating energy, I love demonstrating how music, sound and vibrations impact our thoughts, emotions, relationships with others, and our overall health, she said.

To help alleviate stress and burnout, especially for those who care for others at home or within their occupation Camie introduces the same concepts of resonance in conscious self-care programs that empower others with the awareness of why its important to put themselves back in their lives.

In the past, I thought I didnt have time to take care of myself, mostly because I was always taking care of others, she said. It took a cancer diagnosis for me to finally slow down and start loving myself again. I had no idea how disconnected I was from my feelings, fears, dreams and desires.

During my cancer journey, I remembered how to listen to my body, how to honor my needs and how to choose what was most supportive for me. Now, Im able to share my love more fully with others, because I continue to make conscious self-care choices for myself, she said. Our relationship with ourselves affects how we interact with others. Those interactions affect productivity, the work environment, job satisfaction, patient outcomes - and more.

Upcoming free conscious self-care programs combine therapeutic healing harp music, personal experiences and a clear understanding of vibrational resonance, expanding the perceptions of conscious self-care.

The two programs will be presented from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, and from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Mercy Chapel, Mercy Conference and Retreat Center, 2039 N. Geyer Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131

The holiday solo harp concert, Embracing the Spirit of Christmas, will be presented at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Jacoby Arts Center.

To register for an event or for more information and resources, visit amycamie.com.

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Soothing the soul - mySanAntonio.com

Visit South Jersey, Special to the Cherry Hill Courier-Post Published 5:00 a.m. ET Nov. 21, 2019

Are you celebrating No Shave November? Missing summer food trucks? Getting a jump on your holiday shopping?

There is an event to match each of those desires this weekend in South Jersey.

Just because it's colder out doesn't mean you can't find food trucks, such as Oink and Moo, at events throughout South Jersey.(Photo: Oink and Moo BBQ)

Food Truck Third Thursday Tonight! Nov.21 | 5 - 9 PM,Main Street, Medford. Join Medford Township for itsmonthly Food Truck Third Thursday.The event features more than 10food trucks, live musicand easy parking. Many local shops and restaurants will have specials, sales, and events going on as well. This event runs monthly from March through December. Visithttp://www.facebook.com/events/555330248283620/

Paint Night at White Horse WineryTonight! Nov.21 | 6 - 8 PM,White Horse Winery, Hammonton. White Horse Winery is hosting a paint night.Choose between two beautiful holiday-themed wine bottles complete with fairy lights.Themes to choose from include snowman and evergreen tree. Cost is $45 andincludes your bottle, lights and a delicious glass of WHW wine.Visithttp://www.whitehorsewinery.com/live-music-calendar

4th Friday in Uptown PitmanFriday, Nov.22 | 6 - 9 PM,Uptown Pitman. Stroll along Broadway andenjoy live music, vendors, classic cars, great shops, old-fashioned games, localrestaurants, beer, wine and lots of fun. Experience the unique, small town feel of historic Pitman. Visituptownpitman.com/fourth-friday/

Fresh hops decorates a table at Human Village Brewing Company in Pitman.(Photo: Human Village Brewing Company)

Name that Tune NightFriday, Nov.22 | 7 - 9:30 PM,Devils Creek Brewery, Collingswood.Come out for a Friday night game night.Theyll be serving up three rounds of questions and 12 different beers! Three teams will win.Visithttps://www.facebook.com/events/565287550904859/

Wine & Oldies Night with Jim TigheFriday, Nov.22 | 7 - 10 PM,Summit City Winery, Glassboro.Things are always hopping in the winery on Oldies Night.Come by for a glass or two and some great oldies tunes with Jim Tighe. Cost is $10 per person cover charge. You are welcome to bring your own food.Visithttp://summitcityfarms.com/events/

Saturday Live Music SeriesSaturday, Nov.23 | 6 - 9 PM,Sharrott Winery, Hammonton.Come enjoy wine and live music at Sharrott Winery. Jay LaBoy will be performing in Sharrotts tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating available. Wine tastings are $10 per person and include six samples of Sharrotts award-winning wines. Cant make it out? Dont worry, Sharrott Winery has live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visithttp://sharrottwinery.com/events-archive/

Visitors to Sharrott Winery sample wine at one of the new tasting room bars.(Photo: Camden County)

Wine and Chocolate Weekends at 4JG's WineryNov.23 & 24 | Noon- 5 PM,4JGs Winery, Colts Neck.Sip award-winning wines, sample hand-crafted chocolates and relax. The fire pit will be going (weather permitting), so why not join in the fun? $15 entrance fee includes samples of nationally award-winning wines in a souvenir etched 4JGs Vineyard wine glassand chocolate samples. Visithttp://www.4jgswinery.com/events-1/2019/wine-and-chocolate-weekends

LIVE! From the Vineyard StageSaturday, Nov.23 | 7- 9 PM, Auburn Road Vineyards, Pilesgrove.Presented by Woodstown Music!,Enoteca favoriteBetween Sleep & Awake is now Bougie & The Beasts.Reservations strongly suggested.Enjoy wood-fired brick- oven pizza cooked on-site by Ravello Woodfire Pizza.Also, try gourmet Good Karma panini, salad, fresh organic bruschetta and antipasti each Saturday night. Visithttp://www.auburnroadvineyards.com/saturday-night-live-from-the-vineyard-stage/

Mt Holly Music SeriesSaturday, Nov.23 | 5 - 7:30 PM,Tomasello Winery.Kick off your weekend with live performances by local talent at Tomasello Winery.Enjoy a wine tasting and snacks while taking in the sounds of these sensational artists. Performing this week is UkeTronik. Visithttps://www.facebook.com/events/542627363200290

Decorate your beard for No Shave November.(Photo: RyanJLane, Getty Images)

Saturday on the CrushpadSaturday, Nov.23 | 11 AM - 6 PM.Hawk Haven Vineyard, Rio Grande.Warm up your palate with an educational wine tasting, then head to the crushpad with a glass of your favorite where youll kick back and enjoy the vineyard views. A variety of musical performances by local singer-songwriters rounds everything off into a perfect getaway. This weeks music: Nate Cwik Duo. Visithttp://hawkhavenvineyard.com/events/saturday-on-the-crushpad/

Decorate your beard for No Shave November!Saturday, Nov.23 | Noon- 1:30 PM,MADE. Artisan Marketplace, Woodbury.Brought to you by The Painted Bridge Espresso Bar & MADE. Artisan Marketplace. They are asking for a donation of $10 per participant (solo or couple), of which 75 percentwill be donated to a local cancer foundation to aid in their continuous efforts to support families who have been affected by testicular or prostate cancer. All creative supplies will be provided and beard and mustache safe. Visithttps://www.facebook.com/events/498588934066983/

Rancocas Woods Handmade Artisans MarketSaturday, Nov.23 | 10 AM - 4 PM,Rancocas Woods, Mount Laurel.The Rancocas Woods Handmade Artisan Market takes place on the fourthSaturdays from March through December in Rancocas Woods.Experience an outdoor handmade artisans market featuring an eclectic mix of local craft vendors, food trucks, live music andmore. Visithttp://www.facebook.com/madeandfoundmkt

Matt Adams at CRVSunday, Nov.24 | 2 - 5 PM,Cedar Rose Vineyards, Millville.Local musician Matt Adams is back for a relaxing Sunday afternoon! As always, Cedar Rose events are free to attend, and your own snacks are welcome.Seating is first-come, first- served. Visithttp://www.facebook.com/events/362631784621684/

For more events, check out VisitSouthJersey.com

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13 things to do in South Jersey before Thanksgiving - Courier Post

New Years Eve is upon us. If you havent booked a tropical getaway, or are hesitating to travel to the mountains (as Italians tend to do for skiing), try something that takes a little less organization, but still offers an unforgettable experience in Milan.

Classic concerts, toasts in museums, a night at the theater and much more: here's how to say ciaone to 2019.

The Carcano theater presents Eureka. A Katakl Athletic Dance show by Giulia Staccioli that pushes boundaries : beyond human physical limits, beyond gymnastics, circus, and dance. Catch the 10pm performance - it will satisfy your senses and leave you with an exhilarating energy to propel you into the new year.

Piccolo Teatro Strehler puts on Slavas Snow Show. Poetry, emotion, laughter, tenderness, and the warmth of being together with loved ones is the theme. Set against the cold wind of Russia and dark snowstorms, the brilliant "snow show is an event not to be missed for a memorable New Years Eve with your children.

Reveling in small pleasures in good company could be the best way to celebrate new beginnings, without leaving the city. Baglioni Hotel Carlton turns festivities into moments of relaxation, intent on unwinding in peace. After a champagne toast to 2020, they offer a relaxing massage and spa session at their Spiga 8 SPA facilities. On New Years day, enjoy the rooftop restaurant Terrazza Baglioni for a gourmet pre- fix lunch. All of this and a luxury room starting from 580 euro.

Chateau Monfort, the five-star hotel in the heart of Milan inspired by fairytales, offers a buffet breakfast in the Sala del Dolce Aveglio on New Years Day, as well as dinner on December 31st at the Rubacuori restaurant. A midnight toast at the Lounge Midnight Bar with a flute of champagne and oysters, and entry into the Love & Psyche spa are also included in the New Years celebration offerings. Sounds like a well thought out plan, and one that leaves it to professionals. Reservations from 1,300 euro.

Treat yourself to a small break, and head to the Langhe at the end of the year. The Boscareto Resort & Spa welcomes guests with a stay tailored to their needs. Book a three night stay to better enjoy the transition from one year to the next, with well-being the main mission. Included in their package are the New Year's Eve dinner followed by music entertainment, and brunch on January 1st. In addition you will have access to the Sovrana SPA, and a special scrub to be used in the Turkish bath. Rates from 1,780 euros for three nights.

This year the concert in the square organized by the Municipality of Milan hosts Mario Biondi, an artist famous all over the world for his soul, and Annalisa, pop music star. Free. Starts at 9.30pm.

Celebrated chefs Fabio Pisani and Alessandro Negrini bring Italian classics center stage for their New Years Eve dinner at Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia. Eel, a capon and white Alba truffle risotto, and pt are some of the delicacies on the rich menu. For the second dish, try lamb from the Gargano region cooked confit in fresh Trasimeno oil, with fruit mustard. To finish it off have the chocolate and hazelnut desert cake. Dont forget to have a bite of their version of slams with lentils from Castelluccio to bring good luck into the New Year. Price: 250.00 excluding wines.

Step back in time to the 1800s, the year of Queen Margherita and King Umberto I. Returning for the second year, the Villa Reale is the location of a dinner party and evening of dancing. It begins upon entering the grand Scalone dOnore. If this doesnt leave you feeling regal, move into the dining to room and have a seat at the table, which is over 100 meters long. You are welcome to book private sitting rooms and tables for the continuation of the evening. Men in suits, and women in evening dresses, the dress code is fancy too. 130 including dinner, and 40.00 for entry after midnight.

Welcome the New Year with an indulgent meal. Try the brunch event at the La Veranda restaurant at the Four Seasons, hosted in the Chocolate Room, which was decorated with the delicate hand of their in- house pastry chef. A self- described decadent affair, the menu promises Italian specialities, and the ambiance is sure to be one of relaxed conversation that lingers into the afternoon. $120 euros/ person including beverages.

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9 great ideas to celebrate New Year's Eve in Milan - Wanted In Milan

PUBLISHED: 11:00 23 November 2019

Emily Cashen

The recpetion at r&r spa Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND

Charlotte Bond

With the temperatures plummeting and the nights drawing in, we could all do with a little bit of R&R to see us through the cold winter months. There's perhaps no better time to indulge in some pampering treatments, and New Street Market's newly-opened R&R spa has got just the thing. So, in need of a little pick-me-up, my friend Charlotte and I headed over to Woodbridge on a Friday afternoon to try out some of the spa's luxurious offerings.

Neatly tucked away from the bustling Woodbridge Thoroughfare, this stylish spa is an oasis of calm. R&R is housed in a historic red-brick building and the space is brimming with character, with its warm and welcoming reception room helping us to feel right at home as soon as we arrived. The spa is led by experienced spa manager Sarah Gregory, who greeted us cheerfully and talked us through both the treatments on offer and the products that her therapists would be using.

The treatment menu puts luxury brand Caudalie front and centre, incorporating these all-natural, antioxidant-packed products into the spa's face and body treatments. From indulgent one-hour, full body massages to express radiance-boosting facials, R&R has something to suit all tastes and time frames. On the day we visited, I opted for the 60 minute 'Fleur de Vigne' body massage, while Charlotte chose the Vinosource anti-oxidant hydrating facial.

Treatments chosen, we were led upstairs to one of the spa's cosy double treatment rooms. We were amazed at just how quiet and peaceful the room was - we couldn't hear a peep from the busy market and cafe below. The soft lighting and ambient music created a soothing atmosphere, and we were given a moment of privacy to get settled under the snuggly blankets on the massage beds. Now, onto those treatments.

The massage

I'm quite used to being slathered in all manner of lotions and potions during a full body massage, with some spas packing as many products as they can into a one-hour treatment. This massage, by contrast, was a breath of fresh air, as it featured just one product. Using the warm oil of a grape-scented massage candle, my 60-minute massage promised to relieve any tension and leave me feeling relaxed.

I asked my masseuse if she could focus mainly on my back and shoulders during this massage, in hopes to ease some of the tension and knots from sitting hunched over at my desk five days a week. I must remember to stop slouching! The massage was equal parts tension-busting and relaxing - just what I was after. My therapist also brought the massage down my arms to my hands, which I appreciated, as I don't think we often notice just how cramped and stiff our fingers can be. Especially if, like me, you've developed a bit of 'iPhone claw'. With my back newly de-knotted, the treatment finished with a stress-relieving head and scalp massage. I very nearly drifted off to sleep by the end

The facial

Charlotte says: As a novice to having a facial, the ladies at R&R spa suggested that I have the Vinosource Anti-oxidant Hydrating Facial, which was a 60 minute treatment. They told me that it was a skin-renewing treatment, designed to moisturise the skin. The facial involved a massage with fresh grapes and a moisturising mask, using the Caudalie products to make my skin feel healthy and glowing. It certainly didn't disappoint!

After a long week of work this was the perfect relaxation treat to rejuvenate my skin and made me feel radiant. This facial included many different Caudalie products from the Vinosource range and they felt and smelt divine on my skin. The whole experience was very relaxing and I would recommend it to anyone who is having a facial for the first time or those more experienced. The ladies at R&R were very kind and helpful throughout and made us feel relaxed and welcome.

The verdict: We both left the salon feeling relaxed and blissed-out, and we agreed that the service had been spectacular. Some spas can feel a bit cold and clinical, but this was far from the case at R&R. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and we felt very well looked after throughout, while the space itself was so cosy and comfortable. I think we might be putting some R&R treatment vouchers on our Christmas wishlists this year!

The Fleur de Vigne body massage lasts for 60 minutes and costs 60. The Vinosource anti-oxidant hydrating facial also lasts for 60 minutes and costs 60. To book an appointment, call R&R spa on: 07766 934486, or email randr.nsm@gmail.com. You can find R&R at 70 New Street, Woodbridge, IP12 1DX.

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What are the treatments like at Woodbridge's new R&R spa? - East Anglian Daily Times

I'm reclining on a sun lounger on the deck of the Marella cruise ship Explorer 2 under a blazing Mediterranean sun, the obligatory pia colada in hand - well, it would be rude not to - when the giant TV screen splutters into life.

It's cruise director Matthew Shaw - who'd been on sister ship Explorer on our previous Marella cruise - being asked his take on the differences between the two vessels. 'This ship is very much like its sister' he says, 'both excellent and special, but the Explorer 2 is perhaps a bit quirkier'.

He sums up my feelings exactly. I was amazed at the luxury and thoughtful design of the first ship, but can see that a few heads got together and made even more of space, layout, decor and content. My wife and I are on Marella's Mediterranean Gems itinerary, which on my week-long cruise visits Toulon in the south of France, Tarragona in Spain and three Italian ports - Livorno, Civitavecchia and Olbia in Sardinia - but more of that later, as there's much more of the ship to explore.

So where to start?

Food and Drink

Everywhere you stroll exudes class, from the luxury cabins to the gleaming stairwell balustrades, from the rich pile carpets to the elegant fixtures and fittings. Dining is no exception to this, with a selection of enticing places to eat and drink, whatever your whim or fancy. The Market Place restaurant is open throughout the day for self-serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner - ideal for those who don't want any fuss, and there is an amazing selection for every mealtime (Tip: take a waistsize-larger pair of trousers for later in the trip).

For those who do like the fuss, you can visit either Vista or Latitude 53 restaurants where every courtesy is extended by the hard-working waiters, and these are included in your all-inclusive price, as are pizzas and pasta dishes in Nonnas, Beach Cove (in the day) and the Snack Shack on the pool deck.

For those who want to try something that extra special in the evening, for an additional cover charge why not try the ship's a la carte restaurants which include The Dining Club for a gastronomic food and wine tour de force, Surf and Turf for a steak or fish prepared just as you like it, Kora La for a Pan-Asian fusion experience second to none and the BBQ-inspired Beach Cove for a bellybusting bonanza (see the amazing ferris wheel dessert spectacular on the video!)

Did I just say all-inclusive? Yes all Marella Cruises are all inclusive, so once you've paid your fare it's fine fare all the way, and all your drinks are included, be it in the restaurants mentioned or in the ship's nine bars.

Entertainment

There's always something to do on board. If it's sunny there's nothing much better than enjoying a cocktail or three by the pool or relaxing in the whirlpool baths, and entertainment is always provided whether it's a live band, one of the entertainment team performing DJ duties, or something of interest on the giant TV screen. A bulletin for the following day is delivered to your cabin each evening with a packed programme of activities around the ship including quizzes, competitions, informative talks and much, much more.

Try your hand at the minigolf while you take in the panoramic views, or stroll along the Broadstreet Shops. One of the newest attractions is the 19th Hole bar where you can take up a seat in a golf buggy, order a themed cocktail and tee off on one of the golf simulators for a little extra. Explorer 2 also has its own Champneys Spa, where you can relax with a massage or treatment, including facials and acupuncture to name but two, or gaze out to sea in the impressive infinity pool.

In the evening the bars come alive with the sound of music and laughter with live bands, comedy acts, piano music, pub quizzes and audience participation fun. The silent disco in Indigo is a must. Put on the headphones, decide which of the two songs you want to dance to and get boogieing! (...then take them off for a second and see people dancing to apparently nothing!)

The jewel in the ship's crown is the Broadway Show Lounge with an amazing 12 professional shows on offer - and big enough to rival a theatre on, well, Broadway!

Ports and excursions

We joined and left the ship in Naples - Italys most red-blooded city and one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world and, for those already on the ship or staying for a longer cruise, it's from here you can visit the time-frozen cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, whose citizens were stopped in their tracks by the famous Mount Vesuvius eruptions of 79 AD.

Fusing French Riviera glam with the feel of a traditional old town, Toulon is a gorgeous gateway to the Cte dAzur, where you can follow the sound of popping corks and clinking champagne flutes to ber-stylish St-Tropez, or venture into Aix en Provence and find out about its dual identity. This place is known as the Town of Water thanks to its fountains and the Town of Art because of its many museums.

Once a Roman capital of Spain, beautiful Tarragona is brimming with historic landmarks and monuments. In the old quarter, with its magnificent Gothic cathedral, we were especially pleased with how reasonable prices were in cafes, shops and restaurants - well worth a trip off the ship with buses laid on by the local tourist board.

Our first port of call in Italy was Livorno, where we were able to embark on our eagerly-anticipated trip to Pisa. We were not to be disappointed as we entered through the walled gateway and the vista of the leaning wonder suddenly came into view. Unforgettable. Cue many, many photos.

Civitavecchia was our next stop, and from where we joined the ship's Express to Rome excursion. In less than an hour by train we were in the capital on a breathtaking tour which included the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and St Peters Basilica in the Vatican, with some fantastic pasta dishes and wine thrown into the mix.

Olbia in Sardinia was an altogether more laidback experience following our excursion exertion the previous day and a place where you can simply spread out a towel and relax on the beach. Or, if youre an active traveller, there are plenty of ways to explore this tranquil spot. Bike rides take in charm-filled villages, while boat trips allow you to experience the French island of Corsica and the peaceful La Maddalena archipelago.

Wi-fi packages, premium drinks upgrades, cabin types - there is simply not enough time and space here to write about all the fabulous facilities on board this magnificent ship and the amazing places it takes you to. Please watch the video for an extra insight into this thoroughly gem-orable experience.

At the time of writing a Mediterranean Gems cruise costs 1001 pp for a week's all-inclusive cruise on May 6 with direct Manchester flights, and from 812 from other airports. Visit https://www.tui.co.uk/cruise/

Aspire Lounge

A great way to start your holiday is to relax in VIP surroundings before your flight. In the Aspire Lounge you can help yourself to tasty, wholesome food and let the bartender pour you your favourite drink complimentary, of course. Whether you wish to work, have some much-needed quiet time, or relax with the family, your journey gets off to a perfect start. Available in T1 & T2 at Manchester, prices start from 22.49 per adult. Visit http://www.executivelounges.com/aspire

Holiday Extras

Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges and transfers, and 98% of the time Holiday Extras can find you a hotel and parking package thats cheaper than the cheapest airport parking on its own (based on two-week breaks). Booking an Airport Hotel with Parking ensures that you can enjoy more holiday without the hassle, as we found by checking into the first-rate Clayton Hotel. To book the Clayton with eight days hotel parking at Manchester Airport for 135, visit HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 316 5678 (Price searched on 15 October 2019 for arrival on 15 February 2020).

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A true gem of a cruise in the Western Mediterranean on the Marella Explorer 2 - Kenilworth Weekly News

Nov. 22, 2019, 2:31 AM UTC

Kanye West has been denied a permit to build a massive amphitheater on his Cody, Wyoming, ranch Tuesday but NBC News has learned that West has purchased a second lot of land just an hour away.

The rapper applied for a permit with the Park County Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 21, requesting to build a 70,000 square-foot amphitheater on his Cody Ranch. The request, filed by his Psalm 2019 LLC, was called the "West Meditation Large Impact Structure."

West's original request claimed the space was to be used for "meditation only" and did not have any plans to include utilities, such as sewage or lighting, according to the filing. He then changed his request on Nov. 8 to include a residential space and was denied.

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He is still able to submit a new request with the zoning commission.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department also noted concerns that any construction between Nov. 15 to April 30 would leave mule deer and other game animals vulnerable to human activity in the winter.

West has purchased a second ranch about an hour east in Greybull, Wyoming, NBC News confirmed Thursday. The more than 6,000-acre ranch, Bighorn Mountain Ranch, was listed at nearly $14.5 million but the final purchase price for the land is unclear.

It's unclear whether West plans to build his "meditation" amphitheater on the second location on Bighorn Mountain Ranch. A representative for West did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The 42-year-old rapper has been notably outspoken about spirituality in recent years and has begun hosting what he calls "Sunday Service," a church-like concert that began as a performance for close family and friends. West has since expanded his "Sunday Service," hosting the concerts at Coachella and recently at Joel Osteen's megachurch in Houston, Texas.

West told a crowd of nearly 16,000 people at Lakewood Church before his performance Sunday that "God has been calling me for a long time and the devil has been distracting me for a long time."

The speech came a month after West released a Christian rap album called "Jesus is King."

He also announced on Twitter Sunday that he would performing an opera, "Nebuchadnezzar," at the Hollywood Bowl on Nov. 24.

Diana Dasrath is Entertainment Producer and Senior Reporter for NBC News covering all platforms.

Doha Madani is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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Kanye West denied permit to build 'meditation' amphitheater on Wyoming ranch - NBC News

HATLEY Chad Houston of Hatley describes himself as a laid-back dude. Thats about right.

His graying hair and goatee, warm voice, and gentle mien suggest a person at peace with himself and his world.

Houston said his mellow outlook is thanks in part to a practice he began three years ago: mindfulness meditation.

Meditation helps me live in the present, he said. It helps you realize how your thoughts are affecting your emotions, your body, your relationships, and how you project yourself to the world.

A roaring fire crackles in the wood stove in Houstons light-filled zen den, where he often comes to meditate. Its just down a wooded hill from the home he shares with his wife and two teenage sons. In the garage, a yellow 72 Volkswagen minibus bears the stickers of Houstons favorite bands.

The 48-year-old Monroe County native just finished leading a four-week-long workshop in mindfulness meditation through Amorys annual Lifelong Learning Series. He said teaching the full-capacity class gave him an opportunity to share what he has learned.

I dont claim to be a mindfulness guru, he said. I wanted to teach the class because Ive seen the benefit and I just wanted to testify. I just wanted to share the love.

Like many, Houston said he struggles with seasonal depression. He said mindfulness meditation has given him a tool to offset the effects of this annual ennui.

Last year was the first time in a long time that I made the stretch from Thanksgiving to New Years without getting in a serious funk, he said. Mindfulness meditation has helped me see how my brain works so I can stop the cycle of out-of-control emotions. Having even a small measure of control over that is huge.

In its simplest form, mindfulness is about learning to be more present in the present, according to Houston.

Mindfulness is all about learning to pay careful attention to the present moment, he said. The present moment is all we have. Its all well ever have.

Using an analogy from a popular movie, Houston said mindfulness is about developing a higher level of consciousness in daily life.

Most of us walk around in a semi-conscious state, like in The Matrix, he said. Our minds go a million miles a minute but we never stop to focus on the present moment. If youre happy in the matrix thats fine, but the longer you meditate, the more you learn theres more to human consciousness.

While mindfulness meditation has roots in Buddhism, Houston said the practice has benefits for people of any religion, or no religion.

The type of mindfulness I practice is pretty secular and straightforward, he said. Its not like some forms of meditation where the goal is enlightenment. This is more about just learning to be present and learning to manage emotions like depression and anxiety. You dont need to call on a particular deity.

In his recent workshop, Houston said he encouraged participants to begin by paying attention to their own breath.

Focusing on your breath is a way to ground yourself, he said. You dont need a mantra; your breath is always there with you. You start by just paying close attention to the sensations of breathing. Youll be surprised how hard it is.

For those who are new to the practice, mindfulness meditation can be unsettling, Houston said.

Your brain is running out of control, he said. Thats the first insight of mindfulness. We like to think were in charge of our brains and what we think, but it only takes one minute to realize were not. It can be unnerving.

Learning to slow down and be present takes patience and discipline, Houston said.

Its a workout for your brain, he said. The key is practice. You wont get anywhere doing it once or twice a month. You need to do it every day. Surely theres 10 or 15 minutes in your day when you can stop telling yourself your story and bring your attention back to the present.

While he said enlightenment is not the immediate goal of his form of meditation, insights await for those willing to slow down, breathe, and listen.

You can try all you want to stop the world and keep bad things from happening, he said. But once you start meditating you see that changing how you react to the world is just as good as changing the world itself. Thats a powerful insight that I only found when I started meditating.

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Mindfulness meditation: Learning to live in the moment purpose of practice - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

We might assume that the way our brains work is fixed but theres been more and more research into the potential of neuroplasticity. It is, in some ways, the best and worst thing about being human. We do have the capacity to change the way we think and it isn't inherent that we function in an anxious, stress-induced, hyperaware state. But we also live in a world where that state is encouraged in order to be, or at least feel like we could be, a success by current standards, we must put more pressure on work to reflect our performance (and consequently our worth) than ever before. And while it is not impossible to radically change the way the entire world works, it is a much smaller change to find ways to work within that world and not let stress or anxiety or our deteriorating attention spans contort us into the most unhappy, disillusioned, even distraught versions of ourselves.

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Everything I Tried To Finally Get Into Meditation & What Worked - Refinery29