Taking a day, or part of one, and going to a day spa can be a great way to pamper yourself, head to toe. If you've received a gift of a day at the spa, or if you're considering treating yourself to a day of pampering, you may wonder what you can expect at the spa. While day spas differ in what they offer, a typical day at the spa will probably include a few specific elements.

When you first arrive, you'll be given a robe, possibly a gown, and some slippers. After depositing your things in a secure locker, you'll wear your warm, fluffy robe and slippers into the spa.

Before you begin, you'll be asked a few simple questions about your health and medications. Then your day at the spa gets off to a great start.

Your first stop is the facial. You'll lie back on a massage table, covered with a blanket and incredibly comfortable as the technician performs a facial. If you have any blackheads, you may wince as they're removed, but otherwise you'll enjoy having your face cleaned and moisturized.

You'll lie on a massage table, completely covered, while the technician gently scrubs your body with a massaging scrub, and then you'll go to a shower and let the warm water rinse your entire body.

Feeling invigorated from the body scrub and shower, you'll then enter the massage room, where you'll relax on a soft table, fully covered, while the massage therapist relaxes your muscles with soothing massage techniques. You may even begin to fall asleep by the end of your massage. You certainly won't want to get up. Your therapist will let you get up slowly and at your own pace, then you'll head back out to the lounge for a cup of tea.

Finally, you'll change back into your day clothes and head into the salon for your new haircut and manicure. You'll be amazed how wonderful you feel, from your fresh new haircut down to your toes.

If you don't think you can afford the time or money to go to a day spa just now, you may want to stop and think about what happens there and how great you'll feel. Then think about your reasons for not going, and ask yourself, will you feel better once you leave, and will that be worth the money?

Also keep in mind that you can do any combination of treatments at the day spa, and you certainly don't have to do anything you'd rather not. You can skip the manicure, or the facial, or do everything. This is your day to treat yourself really well, and you're making all the decisions.

Next time you're feeling you need a little pick-me-up or special treatment, consider a day spa. The next time someone asks you what you'd like as a gift, tell them you'd love a day at the spa. For that matter, tell them you'd like two days at the spa, so you can enjoy the special touch twice.