"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain
How to Introduce a Friend to Massage
When we experience something good, it's natural to want to tell everyone about it. Massage is no exception. Here are some ways to share your enthusiasm for massage therapy.
Gifting Massage Gift certificates are a great way to share massages with the people in your life. Looking for the perfect birthday present? Purchase an hour gift certificate for them with your favorite massage therapist. Giving someone a gift certificate allows the recipient to experience massage without financially committing to something that they might not be sure about. After the initial visit, it is up to them to evaluate whether the experience makes them want to pay for another one.
Outline the Benefits Most people are aware that massage is effective at relieving stress and promoting relaxation, but there are myriad benefits you can highlight depending on your audience. For those who suffer from low-back pain, a study by the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle has shown that massage is more effective than medication at reducing pain.
In addition to helping people reduce pain or cope with physical injuries, the supportive touch of a massage therapist can be a powerful positive encounter during times of emotional distress. If someone in your life is dealing with grief or loss, you might recommend massage as a way for them to relax and be tended to without having to actively share their feelings, a welcome relief for many people.
Here are just some of the positives that massage and bodywork can provide.
--Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
----Increase joint flexibility.
--Lessen depression and anxiety.
--Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
--Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
--Release endorphins--amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
Set an Example Friends and family are more likely to follow your lead if you show them that you enjoy, and benefit from, receiving massage. If you have a regular routine and are feeling good, when you recommend bodywork to others it will be more influential. Whether it's increased range of motion, a sunnier disposition, or an improvement in posture, what you've gotten out of massage will be the best advertisement you can show them.
If, after all of your encouragement, they are still reluctant, you need to respect their feelings. Not everyone is ready for the hands-on experience of massage therapy, and some may even have some serious personal issues about touch. If you allow them to come to massage and bodywork on their own terms, they are more likely to be open to the safe, comforting, professional touch that the massage therapist provides.
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Pain Triggers
Holding in anger can be a pain in your back-literally. In one study, people with chronic low back pain were harassed and then asked to either verbally express their anger or hold it in. Those who kept tight-lipped experienced more tension in the muscles along their spine, according to Psychosomatic Medicine. Tight muscles hurt where you have ongoing back pain or aches from lifting too much.
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Yoga for Pain Relief
If you’re looking for an alternative to pills to treat joint pain and aches, relief may be a yoga class. A review of 20 years of studies conduct at Duke University found that yoga is effective in the treatment of chronic pain, including osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Patients saw significant reductions in pain, stiffness and overall physical discomfort while greatly improving their flexibility, range of motion, and muscle strength
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The Great Outdoors
Head outdoors to boost your mood and self-esteem. Researchers at the University of Essex in England found that people who participated in outdoor activities were significantly less angry, depressed and tense. Natural settings stimulate the mind. Exposure to the outdoors facilitates the ability to concentrate, help memory and restores us. Physical exercise and increased stamina associated with being outdoors yield important benefits as people become more sedentary with age.
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Healthiest Super foods
According to the Yale School of Medicine, eating just a handful of walnuts a day can help you lower cholesterol, boost brain power, sleep better, cope with stress, prevent heart disease, fight cancer, and more. In fact, a new study showed that walnuts appeared to lower the risk of breast cancer in mice. Have one ounce (about 12 walnut halves) daily.
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10 Commandments of Health
- Dr George Calver, First appointed doctor to Congress
Eat wisely
Drink plentifully of water
Eliminate Thoroughly
Bathe Cleanly
Exercise Rationally
Accept Inevitable – don’t worry
Play Enthusiastically
Relax Completely
Sleep Sufficiently
Check out occasionally
Give 5% of your time to keeping well. You won’t have to give 100% getting over being sick.
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The Importance of Moving
If you’re in pain, there's a temptation to skip exercising. But exercise can often help reduce pain and improve your quality of life. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. The good news is that you don’t have to run a marathon to get back to the business of life. Everybody can do something, says the American Pain Foundation. Exercise "does actually allow people not only to reduce their perception of pain but to overcome limited functioning.”
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Comfort Recipe : Chocolate & Banana
1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 banana, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon nonfat vanilla yogurt
Melt chocolate chips in a small bowl in the microwave. Top banana slices with the chocolate and yogurt Per Serving: 117 calories
