Published: March 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Kondria Woods
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

You’ve had a harried week, amounting to a sum total of too much work, too little sleep and a nonexistent exercise plan. And sorry, rushing around town doesnot count as a high-intensity, calorie-burning exercise.

If you just had a weekend to yourself, to start all over on the right, healthy foot, you would feel so much better. Think it’s all just a dream? Think again. It’s time to seek the rejuvenating solace of your favorite spa, and pursue your own personal weekend health makeover.

“Spa is an acronym for ‘sanus per aquam,’ which means ‘health through water,’” said Jerry Gabbard, co-founder, with wife Manisay, of MG’s Grand Day Spa, located at the Marriott. “Health through water is an ancient way to relax, rejuvenate and renew your body and mind.”

Come to think of it, are you drinking enough water? According to Solvei Baylis, esthetician at Wisteria Salon and Spa on Woodruff Road, you should be, especially if you’re interested in maintaining the kiss of youth.

“People are wanting anti-aging treatments that target fine lines and wrinkles,” Baylis said. “We also educate guests about nutrition and hygiene. We recommend they drink water, which makes the skin glow and adds hydration, as well as avoid processed foods and focus on eating whole grains and vegetables.”

Indulging in healthy nutrition habits and drinking plenty of water are good starts, but if you’re ready for some hard-core, sanity-restoring relaxation, it’s time to bring on the services.

“We have a Health & Wellness Journey day package that includes a comprehensive wellness assessment, 60-minute personal training session, a power walk with a personal trainer followed by flexibility training, a nutritional assessment and a gourmet spa lunch for $295,” said Michelle Ufer-Herold, spa director at Chateau Elan, located in Braselton, Ga. “We also have an overnight package, the Spa Fitness Retreat, over three days and two nights, which includes two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners, a comprehensive wellness assessment, a personalized exercise prescription, 30-minute personal training, nutrition assessment, a deep tissue massage and an ultimate foot therapy session. Our clients can choose any combo from our a la carte menu as well, and come in for just the day or stay overnight.”

Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? All that stress is already melting away at the mention of “massage,” isn’t it? Perhaps your weekend health makeover needs to happen a little closer to home. There are quite a few options that won’t disappoint.

“We have offered full-day spa packages since our opening more than three years ago,” Gabbard said. “Since our new location opened within the Greenville Marriott, we are able to now extend overnight spa packages and getaways for couples, friends and special events such as bridal parties, bridal showers, mother-daughter events and others. Full-day and weekend packages are packaged together with services such as a massage, a facial, hydrotherapy tub or vichy shower, hand and nail treatments, reflexology, makeover with hair and makeup and a gourmet meal.

“We have many prepackaged full-day and weekend experiences, such as our ‘Total Self-Indulgence,’ ‘A Grand Day of Pampering’ and ‘A Girls’ Grand Getaway.’ However, we have many clients who will create their own package by selecting those services they are needing for health restoration, relaxation and stress reduction.”

At Urban Nirvana, start with a weekend makeover and keep up the monthly habit. After experiencing the Cloud Nine package, you can easily become addicted.

“Urban Nirvana offers many packages and can accommodate parties,” said Candy Luther, manager at Urban Nirvana, located at the Shops of Greenridge. “The Urban Decadence package is recommended, which includes a one-hour aroma massage, the seaweed detox wrap and the classic facial with rejuvenation. Another popular package is the Cloud Nine package. This one includes the classic facial, a one-hour massage and the body buzz. We also offer free shampoo and blow-dry services for these clients at our hair salons.

“We offer series packages here, and to maintain wellness, we recommend one deep-tissue massage per month, one detox wrap every six months and one facial per month.”

While a truly indulgent weekend health makeover is possible, you might have to begin reclaiming your healthy outlook in smaller doses. As an Aveda salon, Wisteria maintains a commitment to encouraging health and wellness with an incredible line of products that are 97 percent plant and flower-derived.

“We have four packages on our menu,” Baylis said. “They range from three to six hours and offer services such as facials, massages, manicures and pedicures, as well as body treatments, makeup touch-ups, and shampoo, blow-dry and styles. Several packages contain spa cuisine and all packages include a spa gift.

“Our Green Science facial, which uses the Green Science line of skin-care products, lifts and firms the skin and increases elasticity. Our Enbrightenment facial, using the Enbrightenment line of skin-care products, repairs hyperpigmentation and damage caused by the sun. Our waxing services are also popular, and brow shapings are an inexpensive way to change your look. Wisteria also offers specialized packages during the holiday season, and for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day.”