Self-care is more than just a wellness buzzword. In today’s hectic world, where productivity equals success and the grind has become the norm, it’s easy to let self-care fall to the wayside. You may have mentally reserved treating yourself to something nice for some time further down the line—when the kids get older, when you’re making more money, when you have more free time—and may even consider taking time for yourself as overly indulgent. But self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Self-care doesn’t have to involve some over-the-top multi-step skincare regimen or hours on the treadmill. It could be a poolside vinyasa session followed by a healthy snack. Or finally seeking treatment for anxiety or depression. Or even straightening your smile.
Thankfully, San Diego County is full of opportunities to put yourself first. Here are three of our favorite.
Invest in Your Health at AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club
One of the most efficient ways to take care of yourself is a membership to a one-stop wellness shop like AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club. This four-story, 40,000-square foot luxury facility adjacent to the downtown Westgate Hotel offers fitness, wellness, and spa services, plus a sauna, steam room, and cool plunge.
It’s only fitting that a place whose name translates to “water of life” have a luxe pool. AquaVie boasts a serene rooftop sanctuary with a Junior Olympic-sized pool, hot tub, and a sun deck that’s perfect for soaking up the rays. And it doesn’t stop there. AquaVie’s rooftop is the heart of the establishment. Aside from the sparkling lap pool and the sweeping views of downtown San Diego, the club rooftop features fire pits to keep you cozy once the sun goes down, refreshing cocktails delivered pool-side, and decadent dining options prepared by The Westgate Hotel’s culinary team. Don’t miss the sustainably sourced bluefin tuna tartare or the plant-based protein-packed Maqui superfruit smoothie.
The rooftop is also equipped with free weights, strength training equipment, stationary bikes, and a running track for those looking to take their fitness training to new levels. AquaVie offers poolside yoga and group exercise classes, and even has a workspace area for when the occasional work emergency interrupts your me time.
The rooftop is just the beginning. The modern, state-of-the-art club has a spacious fitness studio that offers in-demand group exercise classes, such as Pilates, spin, core, and cardio sculpt, in addition to more than 200 high-end cardio and strength machines from top brands like TechnoGym, Iron Grip, Precor, TRX, and Peloton. AquaVie’s expansive gym floor and group fitness classes allow members to tailor their workouts to their individual goals and customize their workout routine to fit their lifestyle and schedule.
If grueling workouts aren’t your thing, a spa membership at AquaVie includes access to an array of results-driven skincare and body treatments in a luxurious, yet tranquil setting on the third floor of AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club.
Feel the tension melt away with a AquaVie’s signature elevated wellness massage, or really dig into those problem area with a deep tissue therapeutic massage. Or make your wellness session a date with a couple’s massage for you and your partner.
Shift the attention up to the face with a custom facial that’s designed to target your skin’s specific needs. AquaVie Spa practitioners use all natural actives to rebalance the skin, combat environmental damage, purify the pores, and restore a youthful glow. Take your experience up a notch with high-tech add-ons. Microcurrent technology lifts and tones and on-trend LED light therapy enhance AquaVie’s offerings and take already effective treatments to new heights.
Finish strong with a full-body ritual that promotes ultimate healing. Aquavie offers two to pick from: the Ocean Dew Magnesium Muscle Recovery detoxifies and relaxes muscles, while Prickly Pear Age Defense restores skin health and hydration. Each includes a full-body scrub, wrap, and foot massage.
AquaVie offers three membership tiers that provide different levels of access to the club’s amenities and benefits, with options to upgrade with lockers and valet parking.
234 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
aquaviewellness.com
Mental Health Matters at Element Q Healing Center
For some, self-care can become a lifeline. LGBTQIA+ individuals often face unique challenges that can impact their mental and emotional well-being. Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community experience discrimination, intergenerational trauma, complicated family dynamics, and barriers to accessing inclusive health care. Element Q Healing Center in Kearney Mesa was founded by practitioners within the LGBTQIA+ community who deeply understand systemic and social concerns experienced by clients and tailor each treatment to meet them exactly where they are in their individual healing journey.
Element Q Healing Center isn’t your average treatment center. Element Q Healing Center’s caring and compassionate staff leverage their lived experience to empower clients to find their own voice. At Element Q Healing Center, LGBTQIA+ individuals can find hope and healing from a range of conditions that intersect with social determinants of health.
The center’s practitioners approach mental health through a lens of holistic healing and evidence-based care. They combine traditional clinical therapy with alternative medicine practices, such as acupuncture, reiki, art therapy, and trauma-informed yoga, to support sustainable mental wellness. Mental health and wellness in the LGBTQIA+ community requires comprehensive care that takes into consideration an individual’s identity and personal journey. Element Q Healing Center is committed to providing identity-affirming care that’s rooted in both compassion and clinical research. Providers balance symptom management with embracing the whole person.
Conditions treated at Element Q include trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder; depression; anxiety; addiction; bipolar disorder; borderline personality disorder; gender-identity challenges; neurodiversity; mood disorders; relationship issues; domestic violence; disordered eating; and more.
Element Q Healing Center offers several treatment options, ranging from visits with providers trained in queer-specific health care to more intensive outpatient treatment that includes case management, individual and group counseling, and psychiatric medication management. Outpatient treatment helps patients address trauma, mental health, and addition issues while building community and maintaining their day-to-day lives. LGBTQIA+ providers create a welcoming environment free from judgement and the stress of having to explain identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
Element Q Healing Center also operates a partial hospitalization program for those who need a higher level of structured care. The program provides intensive daily support and is grounded in evidence-based modalities designed to promote sustained stability. Partial hospitalization is ideal for people who need more support than outpatient therapy can provide, and those who are leaving a residential care facility or inpatient treatment and would benefit from continuing to heal while transitioning back to living at home.
Each incoming patient at Element Q Healing Center receives neuropsychological testing and a comprehensive assessment to evaluate cognitive and behavioral health, ensure proper diagnoses, and guide future treatment planning. Clinicians work to ensure that each patient receives the level of care required for sustainable recovery and success.
The benefits of undergoing treatment Element Q Healing Center include healing within a community of people that celebrate diversity, improved resilience and self-awareness, reduced feelings of isolation, and authentic expression and empowerment. Inclusive health care is not a privilege, it’s a right.
3750 Convoy St., #310
San Diego, CA 92111
elementqhealingcenter.com
Smile Bright at Chula Vista Orthodontics
While many view self-care as working on the inside, improving the outside can dramatically improve a person’s well-being and self-esteem. Since 1956, Chula Vista Orthodontics has been helping San Diego County residents keep their teeth healthy and achieve their ideal smiles.
Chula Vista Orthodontics’ caring staff personalizes care to each individual patient. Dr. Lauren Frisch and her highly skilled team work to straighten and refine patients’ smiles using traditional braces and invisible aligners.
Dr. Frisch is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, and is an active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, San Diego County Dental Society, San Diego Association of Orthodontists, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and American Association of Orthodontists. She was also awarded a Global Oral Health Fellowship and Schweitzer Fellowship, under which she conducted research and dental care in underserved communities around the world.
The dental “dream team” at Chula Vista Orthodontics provides a continuum of comprehensive care. Orthodontic issues, such as crowding, over- or underbite, and protrusion, can develop in childhood. Chula Vista Orthodontics offers an “early interceptive treatment” to address these issues early on—as early as age 7 for certain patients—when a child’s permanent teeth are beginning to come in. The focus at this age is not a perfect smile; clinicians aim to prevent development problems that may lead to irreversible damage.
When older children or adults have orthodontic issues that need correcting, they have options. Chula Vista Orthodontics combines traditional treatment with emerging technologies to ensure each patient achieves their desired results.
Dental braces have been the gold standard for teeth straightening for several decades—and for good reason. Traditional braces have proven to be effective in treating common issues like an overbite, underbite, or crooked teeth, and to reposition the jaw. But braces have come a long way from the clunky metal hardware of yesteryear. Today’s braces are smaller, sleeker, and more durable. And though the process of moving the teeth using gentle pressure remains the same, modern braces straighten teeth in an average of 18 to 24 months.
The staff at Chula Vista Orthodontics understands that traditional metal braces aren’t for everyone. Invisalign clear aligners are available for patients who prefer a less noticeable and removeable option. Dr. Frisch is an expert in Invisalign and has more experience than most—she even worked on the research and development team at Invisalign’s manufacturer, Align Technology, while completing her dental training in San Francisco.
Once patients are satisfied with their smile, they’ll need to wear a retainer to keep their pearly whites from shifting. Chula Vista Orthodontics offers ultra-durable Hawley retainers made from acrylic and metal wires, that hold teeth in place, and Essix retainers, which are similar to a night guard. Essix retainers cover the surface of the teeth and absorb the force of the patient’s bite. Vivera retainers are similarly made from clear plastic and come in a pack of four, which is ideal for forgetful patients prone to losing their appliances. Fixed retainers, which are bonded to the back of the teeth, are also an option.
Chula Vista Orthodontics offers free consultations and flexible financing options.
321 I St.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
chulavistaorthodontics.com
