A spa day for nurses

MANICURE

Constant washing makes for dry hands, jagged cuticles and brittle nails, so manicures are a must—whether you make them a justifiable weekly expense or take time to do them yourself. “I get them sometimes, but they’re hard to maintain because Purell, which we use at work, clears away the nail polish,” says Denihan, who was thrilled with exhale’s Pure Manicure, which massages hands with rejuvenating ginger-infused lotion. A simple buff instead of pale polish looks great and ensures the care your hands need.

Mary Kate Denihan

Going to the Chapel…
There’s nothing like an upcoming wedding to inspire a wellness routine. Denihan, 27, who spends much of her time off duty visiting her fiancé, a U.S. Marine Corps Officer, in Camp Lejeune, N.C., sticks to a fitness schedule by taking walks in Central Park with her friends. “It’s hard to watch your diet when you’re working, but the wedding is a big motivator,” she says. “I check out my dress on the website every now and again, and that always helps me make better decisions about what I eat or don’t eat that day!”

At-home spa tips: Nail it

Keep hands manicure-ready by making moisture a priority.

Heal dry, chapped hands. “Apply a rich moisturizer following each hand wash,” says Theani Pena, nail technician at exhale Spa—that’s a tall order given the number of washings you do every day, but vigilance and consistency really help.

Keep cuticles healthy. Moisturized hands mean happy, intact cuticles. Apply a cuticle oil or a balm to keep them well conditioned. Bonus: It will also promote healthy nail growth and discourage painful splitting.

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