By Amanda Moses
Life can be hectic and demanding, we often don’t take the time to care for ourselves and our own mental wellbeing. With finals looming, The Opportunity Hub strove to show teens the importance of selfcare with a free spa day in Manhattan on April 26th.
“It was all about relaxation, pampering, and selfcare for our amazing teens,” The Opportunity Hub wrote on Instagram.
Sipping on orange juice in towering champagne glasses and donning grey robes at the Allure Day Spa & Hair Design, participants enjoyed a moment of their spring break by making themselves ready and refreshed to conquer the final few weeks of school.
According to The Opportunity Hub’s Social worker Diana Ouiya, the field trip was coordinated to inspire and educate teens regarding the various methods of relaxation, identifying and managing stress and socializing with others.
“The purpose was to promote mental wellbeing, self-care education, stress relief, skin health, bonding experience, body awareness, and time away from screens. Participants will be inspired and educated from this trip as they learn various methods of relaxation and self-care,” Ouiya said.
Ouiya was able to chat with each of the teens about their school, home, and social lives, as well as the factors that can make them stressed or feal anxiety. During the field trip, many of the young people shared it was their first experience being pampered.
In addition to spending time in a different environment with friends, the group were able to receive mini facials, as well as spa pedicures and manicures.
“It’s time for yourself where you can relax, feel calm, and take in your beauty,” Brytni Hunter said, reflecting on her experience at the spa.
“Self-care is the best care,” Mya Wanamaker added.
Ouiya stressed to the teens that spa days are a great opportunity for relaxation, but it is not the only form of selfcare that they can practice.
“I stressed the importance of self-care and identified that it does not only have to be in the form of pampering; anything that keeps you grounded and promotes mental health wellbeing,” Ouiya said.
Photos courtesy of The Opportunity Hub
