Why Massage?
Massage and Stress
Stressed out? Pressure, anxiety, irritability, tension ... Studies show that stress is related to a wide variety of illnesses. The truth is, our bodies are well equipped to deal with stress. After all, without stress we wouldn't survive or grow. It is usually the mismanagement of stress that causes the real dangers to our health.
Understanding Stress
Like thermostats, our bodies constantly react to the demands of our lives. By adjusting, the body maintains a state known as homeostasis, sustaining all it's functions normally.
Stress is categorized as primary stresses (conditions or situations, like losing your job) and secondary stresses (reactive emotions or behaviors, like worry or depression.)
The body reacts to stresses with muscular tension, increased heart rate, perspiration, and increased hormonal and adrenal output. These changes allow your body and mind to respond quickly to the needs of a stress situation. Normally, these conditions are temporary. However, mismanagement of secondary stresses can prolong the physical effects caused by primary stresses.
Heavy smoking, under or overeating, drug/alcohol use, too little sleep, and too much caffeine ... these are some of the ways people deal with anxiety. These behaviors compound and perpetuate the physical effects of stress.
Effective stress-reduction techniques include relaxation tapes, biofeedback, meditation and exercise programs. Unfortunately, when experiencing stress, people fail to use these techniques because they perceive them as time and energy consuming.
Massage Therapy
Massage is superior to other stress-reduction tools, requiring no active participation during implementation. A massage therapist does all the work while clients simply relax, enjoying a massage that relieves the effects of stress throughout the body.
Mental anxiety is translated into muscular tension by your brain. A massage relieves muscular tension and signals your mind to tell all your muscles to unwind. In fact, massaging just one area of the body can produce whole-body relaxation! Clients report feeling soothed, re-energized, and better able to tackle challenges.
Physically, massage assists the body to return to homeostasis by releasing muscle tension, allowing the body to circulate blood more freely. Increased circulation nourishes cells while removing stored-up toxins and waste from tissues.
Mind Over Matter
By changing your perception of the stresses in your life, you may be able to relieve feelings of pressure and tension -- and manage stress better!
We experience stress when we feel threatened in some way. Psychologically, pressure and change can seem to endanger our security and well-being. Instinctively, we fight for survival ... physically and mentally.
Your mind and body are inseparable. Coaching yourself to see a situation as an opportunity or a challenge can relieve pressure and profoundly influence the way your body responds to stress.
| | • Self-esteem is a vital tool to managing stress. Regularly remind yourself that you are capable and that circumstances in your life are passing events. | |
| | • Acknowledge yourself for what you do well, and what you give to others. | |
| | • Shift your focus to your strengths. | |
| | • View the challenges in your life as games that you will win and be rewarded for. | |
| | • See changes as opportunities to grow, gain coping skills, and learn lessons. | |
By maintaining your perspective, you may relieve much of the overwhelm and anxiety that accompany stress-- enabling you to tackle situations with enthusiasm, and have more fun.
