Yes, we have all experienced the increased pace of life, felt the ongoing stresses and strains of over work and over indulgence; but with less time on our hands to seek out that much needed regeneration, our emotional, physical and spiritual health could be in desperate need of replenishing.

So, if your aim this Easter is not to eat double your body weight in chocolate eggs, but to treat mind, body and soul;

and if you can't quite eek out a visit to the monolithic structures of Madras in India over the long weekend in order to satisfy that aching desire to heal and relax, then fear not, because health spas in Ireland are akin to mushrooming in the rainy season popping up everywhere.

Relaxation is probably the primary reason for making a visit to your local health spa, with pampering, detoxifying and stress reduction, followed by the desire to lose weight coming in at a close second. But, whatever your reasons, there is no denying that spa treatments are scrum-diddly-sumptuous.

Just imagine being soothed, relaxed, destressed, massaged, exfoliated and oiled to within an inch of your tired, weary life;

having your rose scented body wrapped in hot towels by a therapist who is committed to your inner and outer well-being. Bliss!

But not all spas are created equally. It is important to identify just what you want and need before you decide upon your choice of spa and treatments.

For example, do you want to choose a day spa or have you time on your hands to opt for a weekend away, safe haven from everyday life type of break?

Whichever you choose, one thing is for certain, you should expect to receive the type of service and luxurious treatment you'd get from a top class hotel - but with exquisite therapy thrown in!

Weekend Spas.

An entire weekend break is an ideal way to unwind and de-stress. A good health spa/farm should be able to offer visitors a slower, more relaxed pace of life than the one they are used to; a life where it's ok to slink around in slippers and enjoy breakfast in bed, indulge in exotic treatments, with pampered mornings followed by holistic lunch-times, swimming and tennis playing afternoons and leisurely after dinner strolls.

Day Spas.

You're looking for a little indulgence; and a quick refresh and revive type of day is all you can spare out of your fast paced, hectic lifestyle; then a trip to a day spa is just what the therapist ordered.

Nue Blue Eriu is described as having a "retail and day spa environment, " by lovely owner Bernadette Driscoll, whom, along with business partner and hubby David, took over the South William Street premises just over five years ago, developing it into a magnificent day spa employing over twenty expert staff offering anything from one hundred and forty two treatments to professional makeup lessons. You can also just walk in off the street and purchase your treatments from their array of over eighty retails brands.

Entrepreneur Bernadette has always had a keen interest in the beauty business;

and, at the moment it's all systems go for this summer's opening of another Nue Blue Eriu in Seville in Spain.

The couple are also working hard to realise their dream of building a boutique hotel and bespoke environment at their vast estate in Waterford; aiming for a 2008 launch.

"Well, that's the Plan. To create and develop a lifestyle concept; a residential spa where people can visit for weekend or week long breaks and eventually we hope that people will have the ability to purchase houses on the facility." Explains Bernadette.

The word 'Nue, ' for those of you who like a bit of culture is the French feminine for 'naked, ' while history buffs among you have probably figured out that 'Eriu' loosely means 'mythical Irish goddess of beauty."

So, if you want to rejuvenate your body and enhance your general well-being, then give yourself that much deserved treat and make calmness and wellness an antidote to tension and fatigue.

Whether you opt for a weekend retreat at one of the country's many health spas or just have enough time for a quick-fix day visit, go on, book today, you know you deserve it!