Depression affects one out of 10 people in the United States. While depressed clients may go to the spa in an attempt to relax, they may not be requesting the right treatments to help with their depression. Depression is most prevalent in people ages 45 through 64 and affects more women than men. It can require long-term treatment such as medications, counseling, or spa treatments. It is important for skin care professionals to know the signs of depression and spa treatments that can help. Emotional symptoms of depression may include feeling sad, empty, and alone, losing interest in activities, anxiety, mood swings, and more. Physical symptoms can include extreme fatigue, slowed thinking and movement, insomnia, and more. Skin care professionals should look out for these symptoms and recommend that clients experiencing depression receive certain treatments like massage therapy, aromatherapy, and meditation. Massage TherapyAlthough it is not a cure, massage therapy can help depressed clients feel better, both emotionally and physically. Changes in the body’s hormones such as cortisol, the stress hormone, can cause depression and increases when a person is depressed. Massage therapy can lower cortisol by 50 percent. Massage therapy also helps to increase dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that help stabilize a person’s mood, in addition to lifting any muscle aches or joint pains, returning energy to the body and lessening insomnia. AromatherapyCertain essential oils are believed to elevate a person’s mood and create a sense of calm. Aromatherapy oils can be added to a massage to relax a client and ease away mental and physical stress. If your spa offers therapeutic baths, essential oils can be added to the water. The scent from the oils will calm the client, while the silkiness of the oils will leave their skin soft. If your spa does not offer treatments that include essential oils, a diffuser or room spray can be used to send the aroma through the air and relax clients.A person suffering from depression may be dwelling on the past. Aromatherapy is known to bring people back to the present moment, allowing them to let go of the past. MeditationMild-to-moderate depression can be relieved with meditation. Meditating can be an effective way to bring a person back to the present moment and allow them to connect with the positive part of their inner self. It has been shown to increase activity in the left frontal lobe, which is associated with less anxiety and positivity. Meditating the correct way can take a client inward, allowing them to examine themselves. Since it is painful for some people to expose their inner emotions, meditating should be done with caution and with a professional. Some of your clients may be struggling with depression. Knowing how to spot it and simple treatments that can be done to alleviate it will help skin care professionals diminish some of the emotional and physical symptoms of depression for their clients. References: Chopra, Deepak, M.D. Healing from Depression, Chopra Centered Lifestyle.Faris, Stephanie, (2012). Depression Statistics, Healthline.Krans, Brian, (2013). Aromatherapy for Depression, Healthline. Message Therapy Helps Lift Depression, Massage Envy SpaWant to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.