Why do we get sleepy at night time? It is because our bodies produce a sleep hormone called Melatonin. Melatonin is made naturally by your body’s pineal gland – a pea-sized gland located just above the middle of the brain. During the day the pineal is inactive. When the sun goes down and darkness occurs, … Read more
Many people don’t take vacations often enough. A lot of people don’t even take annual vacations! And now with increasing frequency, when we do take vacations, we often bring work along with us, keeping ourselves essentially still in the work mindset we’re trying to escape. This isn’t a good thing at all, especially when there are … Read more
Aromatherapy is the application of essential oils through baths, spa treatments, facials or massage. Essential oils are distilled from plants — such as lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint — which give the oils their fragrances and therapeutic qualities. Research on the sense of smell has shown that scent is perceived by the part of the brain … Read more
Revered through the ages Throughout human history, massage was used for everything from stiff, painful muscles to chronic disease. In China, medical texts refer to it as early as 3000 B.C. Today massage therapy is being used by a wide range of people as a pain reliever, antidote to stress, and enhancer of athletic performance. … Read more
Do your hands and/or feet ache after a long day? Well I can relate. Being a massage therapist my hands sometimes get a beating and then my feet sometimes ache after standing all day long. When I come home I want relief fast. This is what I do: 1. First I want to decrease the … Read more
It’s winter…which means Cold Season for many people. So it’s that time of year again when you could deplete your B – vitamins and end up with mouth and tongue sores. Not fun and there are simple ways to avoid developing them. It’s easy to deplete your B – vitamins by eating processed/refined foods. If … Read more
If you haven’t yet learned how to give your sweetie a therapeutic massage, February is the perfect time. Receiving massage from your partner can yield all the benefits you expect like reduced stress, decreased achiness and improved sleep. But it can also do wonders for your relationship. It’s a way to get away from interruptions, have a chance to listen … Read more
Many people feel victimized by stress. But relaxation can reverse the ill effects of stress by helping you learn to respond differently. The key is to practice relaxing regularly. If you take time during your workday for a 15-minute massage, a lunchtime yoga class, or simply breathing slowly and deeply for several minutes, you’ll let go of stress buildup and start to relax. … Read more
February is heart month A range of techniques including massage, relaxing music, guided relaxation and yoga have shown promising results in lowering blood pressure and heart rate — factors that have a positive effect on heart health. Recent research indicates that relaxation techniques can reduce strain on the heart. One study from Duke University followed … Read more
Practicing deep breathing every day is another way to keep both mind and body healthy and relaxed. The cells of the body, from the brain to the muscle tissues, depend on oxygen to function well. Here is a simple exercise to try. Inhale quietly through your nose to the count of four, then hold your … Read more