Give Your Busy Hands A Break

Moms. Think of all the tasks you perform in a day—countless big and small jobs achieved with your hands to ensure the family is happy and balanced.

Wouldn’t it be great take a break?

You can escape and enjoy the simple pleasure of a manicure, which can leave you feeling rejuvenated and pampered.

The human hand is actually a complex nerve center and can act as a great stress outlet.

There are roughly 27 bones within the wrist and hand, 27 major joints, 120 ligaments, 34 muscles, 48 nerves and 30 arteries, according to E-hand.com, an electronic textbook for hand surgery.

The research on hand anatomy shows that many of those nerves and muscles begin in the neck, shoulders and arms, leaving great potential for relaxation from a manicure massage. (And, therefore, an even more compelling reason to get one.)

It’s not just the physical benefits that draw me back to my beloved nail salon every two weeks; it’s the mind escape as well.

When I walk into my nail salon, I feel like Norm from Cheers—you know, everybody knows my name. It’s my secret place, my estrogen boost, my domain.

As I sit in the plush chair, I feel the stress begin to melt from my shoulders. I look around at my fellow moms and feel instant gal-pal connections.

My hand sinks into a bowl of warm, minted water, and it sends the message to my brain, “It’s time to relax.” And I do.

But the benefits don’t end there.

As a busy mom, I don’t always have time to keep up with the latest clothing and accessory fashion. So my nail salon is the perfect place to get a brief look at what’s new and hot.

I scan the younger gals for fashion tips. And I’m always surprised at the realization the purse I’m carrying is about two seasons out of date, or that shoes can make such a statement.

It’s a combination of aesthetics, estrogen levels, the pamper factor, as well as the warm oil pressing into my skin and melting the stress that puts me in the zone.

It may be just a manicure, and it may be just an hour, but when I leave, I feel rejuvenated, relaxed and pretty. 

There are salons in Cupertino such as Kayla’s Nail Care and Pinky Nail Spa that offer a basic manicure with massage for about $20.

There are salons in Campbell, such as City Savvy Salon, which offers a 45-minute pampered manicure with massage for $32, and Vivian’s Nails Bar, which offers a basic manicure with 10-minute massage for about $20.

The best way to maximize your experience is to choose a salon that has at least a four-star rating on Yelp, and make sure you check the salon to ensure it is clean and has sanitary practices.

Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to ask around first to see which nail technicians are the friendliest and most proficient.

My worst experiences have been with technicians who don’t care about their profession or your experience.

Remember, this is your escape, and it has the potential to rejuvenate and relax. Your job is to thoroughly enjoy the ride.