As we welcome the New Year, it’s the perfect time to prioritize self-care and wellness. From massage to the great outdoors, Salem, Oregon, has a wealth of ways to help you relax, rejuvenate, and start 2024 off on the right foot. Here are just a few of our favorite ideas!

Massage: Unwind and Recharge

Massage has many benefits, including relaxation and healing. In Salem, there are many great local businesses that offer different kinds of massage for what you need. Snyder Massage‘s Tracy Snyder skillfully eases tension and fosters healing with services like Swedish massage, craniosacral therapy, Shiatsu massage, and lymph drainage. La Lumiere Massage has multiple talented massage therapists who specialize in various treatments that help you feel balanced and refreshed. Stephanie at Haven Therapeutic Massage & Bodyworks also offers multiple types of massage, including Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point, and medical massages. Finally, Obsidian Bodyworks mixes traditional and innovative massage techniques to give you a massage that’s just right for you and your body’s needs.

Cryotherapy: Cool Down for Wellness

If you’ve never tried cryotherapy, you’re in for a treat. Capitol Cryo offers Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC), which involves brief exposure to subzero temperatures in a cryotherapy chamber. WBC can improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and speed up recovery from muscle fatigue or injury. This treatment can also offer benefits like anti-aging effects, pain relief, boosted energy, and evened skin tone. Other services include Localized Cryotherapy, Cryo-Facial, NormaTec Compression Treatments, and Celluma LED Light Therapy.

Yoga: Stretch and Strengthen

The blend of physical postures and stretching, breath control, and meditation in yoga offers a mind-body connection and a chance to slow down. In Salem, Common People Yoga welcomes everyone, regardless of experience, offering a variety of classes that range from relaxing to more energetic. Some classes can even be joined live from home over Zoom. Resonance Yoga Collective also emphasizes mindfulness and community, creating a supportive group atmosphere that encourages togetherness and inner peace. Both studios offer sessions that help strengthen the body, calm the mind, and uplift the spirit. Yoga is also known for improving flexibility, enhancing concentration, and reducing stress.

Nature’s Therapy: Reconnect Outdoors

Spending time outside in nature can offer numerous health benefits! Being outdoors can improve your mood, reduce stress, and improve physical health through activities like walking, biking, and kayaking.

Salem’s beautiful parks, trails, and natural landscapes offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Places like Minto Brown Island Park, Keizer Rapids Park, and Willamette Mission State Park—with their expansive networks of trails and teeming wildlife—are perfect spots for a refreshing nature walk, bike ride among the trees, or birding. Alternatively, city parks like Riverfront Park and Bush’s Pasture Park are just a short walk away from coffee shops, local businesses, and popular downtown restaurants.

Everyday Wellness: Nourish Yourself at Home

While getting a massage, trying cryotherapy, taking yoga classes, and being outside are all great ways to reset and relax, sometimes the best ways to perform self care are by practicing everyday wellness at home. Incorporating practices like drinking herbal teas, taking relaxing baths, and using nourishing skin treatments can help you create your own spa in the comfort of your own space.

The offerings of businesses such as Cosa Fianna Apothecary and Capitol Apothecary in Salem provide a selection of natural wellness products and tools, curated to nurture both your body and mind. These simple yet effective routines can enhance relaxation, improve sleep quality, and boost your mood, making them a valuable addition to regular self-care routines.

Whether you’re looking for physical relaxation and rejuvenation, mental wellness, or just a moment of peace to begin 2024, Salem’s local businesses and natural surroundings are here to help. Happy New Year!

Elyssa at WhirLocal

About the Author

Elyssa Henry is the Content Director for WhirLocal Salem and has been with the company since 2015. Born and raised in Salem, she has a passion for supporting local businesses and fostering community connections. Elyssa loves using her skills to highlight the best of what Salem has to offer and is dedicated to creating content that reflects the heart of the community.

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