Fitness & Wellness: Caring for Your Body’s Largest Organ

BY MOLLY FIELD | COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

Borrowing from the saying about weather in the Washington, D.C., area, “if you don’t like it, just give it an hour,” springtime in Northern Virginia vacillates between a morning in November or a sultry July afternoon. Wherever you are, when the temperatures rise, shorter sleeves, shorter hemlines, and longer days are on the come up. How you care for your skin, your body’s largest organ, will show up on other parts of you.

Do you hydrate? Sure, you drink your water throughout the day, but do you hydrate properly? Do you have enough electrolytes in your water? Do you consume caffeinated beverages or alcohol? Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, which means they deplete water and require extra work from your body (elevated body temperature, increased breath and heart rate, and increased or reactive digestion) to metabolize them. So, when it comes to staying hydrated, these types of beverages automatically negate your efforts. There’s a simple fix: balance your consumption of these drinks with water on a 1:1 ratio. This approach will help flush consumed or environmental toxins from your system more effectively.

What’s discussed less is how those types of drinks also deplete essential nutrients, including salt, magnesium, and potassium which stabilize your blood pressure and help keep headaches and muscle aches at bay. Most headaches and muscle cramps occur from low electrolytes because the number-two element we lose when we perspire is sodium in all its forms. The first and most abundantly lost element in the body due to perspiration is, hold on to your seat, calcium. Staying properly hydrated will absolutely show up in a radiant and clear complexion, more pleasant demeanor, clearer thinking, and more body comfort.

While off-the-shelf sports drinks are convenient and abundant, they aren’t necessary for the average human, and are definitely not necessary for children. They contain entirely too much sugar, food dyes, preservatives, and other unpronounceable ingredients. The worst of all is sugar which can cause muscle cramps, headaches, and poor digestion.

Treat yourself to a homemade electrolyte replenisher: take a room temperature glass of water and add a splash of lemon or cranberry juice (which is good for your liver, kidneys, and urethra) for flavor. For the most recovery, add a little bit of sea salt or Himalayan salt to that juice-enhanced water. Stir, and there you have it! You can add salt to mint and cucumber water or do the same with herbal teas or low-caffeine black or green teas which are better for you than a store-bought “replenisher.”

The more obvious aspect of skin care is the use of emollients and sunscreen. Our skin is our number-one barrier against disease. If you have very dry skin, cracks from severe dryness can be a portal to illness and infections. When you find a lotion that you like, keep using it! If you’re still on the lookout for one, use what you have. While the sun is not a villain that’s out to get us, we must protect our skin against it. According to the National Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 9,500 incidences of skin cancer cases are diagnosed each day and although melanoma treatment has greatly improved outcomes of patients, even in metastatic cases, rates are on the rise.

So, the obvious question: do you wear sunscreen? Of course! But just like the hydration question, are you wearing it properly? Do you reapply it after a few hours? When you sweat or swim or take off your hat (which you are definitely wearing to protect your eyes and ears, neck and facial skin, right?) or wipe your skin, you risk rubbing off your sunscreen, so just reapply. Carry a little tube or bottle in your gear bag.

We also have various sunscreens around the Club in the restrooms and locker rooms just in case you’re running short. Once the pool opens, you can swing by the pool house for another bit if needed.

A fabulous and often overlooked element of skin care is massage which, along with feeling great, is an effective method to flush toxins from the body. Angelica Imaca, SGCC’s personal trainer and massage therapist, and Teisha Rollerson, SGCC’s massage therapist and esthetician, are on site, availability permitting, to help you achieve the best care for your skin.

“A massage is not a luxury; it’s an important element of wholebody care,” says Teisha. “People from all walks of life are in need of the relaxation and care massage provides. Massage is not just for elite athletes. Mothers, fathers, caregivers, weekend warriors, semi-pro athletes, and everyday regular people like you and me need true hands-on work to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and be better equipped to manage life’s surprises. Even what we consider to be good news is stressful to the body, which often shows up on our faces first.” Teisha offers body scrubs to rejuvenate and maintain skin vibrancy; waxing to eliminate unwanted or troublesome hair growth and to exfoliate the skin; and facials which can aid in cell turnover, brightening the skin and reducing the signs of aging.

“Massage isn’t just about the body,” says Angelica. “It relaxes your entire central nervous system so your body can operate optimally. When you think about a massage, consider the entire context: you’re in a quiet space, the lighting is subdued, the table is warmed, and you are covered. You disrobe to your comfort level. The work a massage therapist performs is important; our training of anatomy, physiology, and expertise in various modalities can help inform your release of deep tension. Sometimes people can’t believe they’ve been away from the noise, brightness, and intensity of the world off the table for just an hour. Massage therapy is like an oasis in the desert.”

Do your skin (and yourself!) a favor and add regular massage to your skincare regime. To book an appointment and learn more about our excellent personal care professionals, call the SGCC Fitness Desk at 703.451.1485. 

• April 2023 is the last month “The Springfield Story” will be mailed

• Digital copies will still be sent via email and are available on the Club website & app

• A limited number of hard copies will be available in the Clubhouse and at the Racquets & Fitness Facility