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If the past year has left you in *major* need of a self-care upgrade, you're not alone. But here's the truth: Genuine self-care isn't just spa seshes and hair masks (though, tbh, you deserve that, too!), it's about prioritizing positive relationships, showing yourself compassion, surrounding yourself with supportive energy and taking action toward your health, happiness and ~biggest~ dreams. 

That's *exactly* why we headed to Cal-a-Vie Health Spa's Mom & Teen Week (with GL cover girls and fabulous guests Pressley Hosbach and Shay Rudolph) for Girls' Life's 2021 Wellness Week.

Read on for our recap (fun! relaxation! freebies!) plus ~everything~ we learned and how to put this amaze advice into practice wherever you are. It's the authentic, good-vibes-only self-care summer you deserve. 

PS: Want to join us next year? Mark your calendar now for June 12 to 19, 2022!

Take a hike 

Find a place that makes you happy you ~didn't~ hit snooze. Pictured: Cal-a-Vie Health Spa.

One thing we heart about Cal-a-Vie's perfectly balanced itinerary? The just-after-sunrise hike. Turns out waking up with the sun has surprising self-care benefits. "I always feel so energized and refreshed when I wake up early and get active—it really starts my day on the right note no matter what's on deck," shares GL reader Avery M., 17. 

DO IT YOURSELF: Once morning a week, get up early and dedicate an hour to doing *something* for yourself (preferably active and outdoors, if you can). Go for a walk, meditate, try livestream yoga, swim, whatever you love! Use the time to connect to your thoughts, remind yourself of how amazing you are and set a powerful intention for the day—like being more present in the moment, focusing on one of your future goals or fostering a new and exciting friendship. As you master your mornings, add one day a week to your wellness practice. 

Find ~exactly~ the vibe you need 

Pressley and Shay pose with their *adorable* DIY chakra bracelets.

Self-care doesn't look the same for everyone—and that's *totally* OK. "I'm working on gratitude, so I pick four things a day I'm thankful for and try to journal about them every afternoon," explains GL girl Rachel Y., 16. 

For Skyler G., 15, an inner glow-up looks completely different: "I know self-care is about taking time for yourself, but I honestly feel most rejuvenated when I'm talking out my emotions and connecting to important people in my life," she shares. 

That's why we were v. happy to discover Cal-a-Vie's chakra bracelet DIY class—where you choose beads that correspond to healing centers and tune into the energy you're looking for, whether it's calming anxious feels, leveling up your self-esteem, gaining excitement after you've been exhausted for months or forming closer bonds with others.

DO IT YOURSELF: With simple beads and string, create a green bracelet—the emerald shades represent love and compassion for others *and* for yourself. And isn't that what we all need right now? P.S. If you're not feeling your craftiest, just enter right here to win Pressley's DIY chakra bracelet—made just for you at Cal-a-Vie! 

Create lasting friendships 

Inside jokes, brand-new friendship moments, photo ops and more at Cal-a-Vie's Mom & Teen Week.

You've heard it a million times: Sharing is caring…and it's the same with self-care. "It's beyond valuable to surround yourself with people who make you feel like you don't have to try hard or act fake to be accepted," says GL girl Kayla C., 14. "Put your close friends first." 

And, tbh, that's we loved *most* about Cal-a-Vie's Mom & Teen Week—the unbreakable friendships we formed throughout the days. Because, after all, gorgeous views, active moments and relaxing routines are even more special when you have your BFFs by your side.

From our Get-To-Know-You Bingo night (ft. adorbs Squishmallows as our must-have prizes) to a luau pool party to our The Parent Trap movie marathon, our Wellness Week squad showed how an open mind and a positive vibe can instantly lead to the best-ever memories—and bonds that'll last long past a single vacay week. And we're *so* here for that.

DO IT YOURSELF: Text the group chat and invite your go-to gals over for a self-care sleepover. Tops on the list? Anything that makes you feel like your comfiest, happiest, truest self—think throwback movies, nostalgic games and v. deep conversations (use this list for inspo!). 

✨ Plus, even more magic... ✨

Every hour feels like golden hour at Cal-a-Vie.

More highlights from our week: Self-defense class (taught by Tracie Arlington of Play it Safe Defense), yoga ft. the ~peak~ reordered playlist of Olivia Rodrigo SOUR tracks (take the *actual* Cal-a-Vie class from home HERE), allll the mother-daughter bonding you could ask for, dreamy days packed with mani-pedis and massages and can't-miss moments to check in on your well-being inside and out.

Oh, and how can we forget our ~*absolutely amazing*~ swag bags from the best beauty, skincare, haircare and wellness brands—our list includes products from Audra Style, Bioré, BraBar, Carbon Theory, CeraVe, Clio, COLAB Dry Shampoo, Cuvée Beauty,  Davines, Dr.PAWPAW, Formula 10.0.6, Glo Skin Beauty, Higher Education Skincare, Humphrey's Witch Hazel, Love Sun Body, Lush Cosmetics, Nuria Beauty, Pacifica Beauty, Paper Cosmetics,  Plum Beauty, Proactiv,Refreshments, RTIC, Skin Authority, Three Ships Beauty, Tree Hut, Trilogy, Umberto Giannini and Wander Beauty. (P.S. Enter to win our glow-up bundles now through July 11 right here!). 

So, what are you waiting for? Come join us next year for Cal-a-Vie Health Spa's Mom & Teen Week June 12 to 19, 2022.
Can't be there IRL? DW, just join us on Instagram @calaviespa and @girlslifemag for Q&As, giveaways and more!

 💞 Because you deserve to be *your* strongest, healthiest and most vibrant self all year round. And we're srsly cheering you on. 💞

by GL | 7/2/2021