Giving Thanks: Appreciate More, Worry Less

 

Be Content with Yourself and Your Belongings

In today’s world of being better than the rest, buying a better car and having the best-paying job it’s easy to get sucked into comparing yourself to others and focusing on what you don’t have. But by only focusing on your own little world and what’s missing in your life you can miss out on living a truly grateful life that positively influences those who are around you. To discover true happiness and gratitude within yourself, it’s important to readjust your perspective and don’t judge yourself by outward looking things such as cars, houses, jobs and materialistic goods.

At the end of each day, take a moment to reflect on something good about yourself or a positive situation you experienced. Also, identify ways you can help others or make a difference in someone else’s life moving forward. By stepping outside of yourself and focusing on living in the moment, you will be in a better state of mind to experience real joy and appreciate what you have.


Show Thanks for the People Who Mean the Most

Surrounding yourself with good friends and family members can be one of the most valuable assets in your life. In this day and age with many materialistic tendencies, though, there sometimes isn’t much value placed on just being there for someone.

Get back to the basics of human companionship by reaching out to your friends to make a dedicated effort to grow your relationship and show them that you love them. By communicating your feelings and sharing with others you trust, you can support your friends during their time of need while gaining a fresh perspective on life.

Set a Good Example for the Next Generation

It is never too early to start your kids on the path of giving thanks for what they have. Sometimes, all they need is someone to show them how.


Give Back to the Community You Live In

Canned food drives and turkey donations are popular this time of year. But your community and the less fortunate people who live in it typically need support year round. Reaching out to local groups on a regular basis throughout the year -- whether it’s senior citizens, school-aged children or struggling families -- can be a powerful way for you and your family to provide meaningful support to your own community.

When you give back to the community, it can be a humbling experience when you see firsthand the amount of people in your neighborhoods that don’t have enough food for their families to eat, a roof over their heads or shoes and clothes without holes in them. The simple act of volunteering at a soup kitchen, donating your clothes or providing school supplies for children can make all the difference in your community.

The Long and Short of How Stress Affects Your Health

 

Are you often cranky, lethargic, irritable and unhappy? Do you have consistent headaches, neck pain, tense shoulders and tired back muscles? If this describes your normal disposition then you more than likely are feeling the effects of living an all-too-common stressed-out lifestyle. If you don’t start taking steps to break down the stress in your life soon, then it can ultimately lead to breaking you down both mentally and physically.

Physical Stress Cramps Your Body

One of the most popular places for stress to set up camp is in the neck and back areas. One of the biggest culprits for physical stress is constantly sitting in front of the computer and plugging in to electronic devices.

By sitting too long with your neck and shoulders hunched toward a screen, stress solidifies in your neck and back muscles leading to headaches, pains and strains. Physical stress from sitting and staring at a computer also can show itself in your body in the short term by affecting your lower back, legs, feet and eyes. When ignored or prolonged, physical soreness and stiffness in these areas can lead to arthritis, loss of motion and muscle fatigue.

After a long day of working in the office or the home, relieving daily muscle strain and tension by incorporating the following at-home stress remedies to close out your day.

• Rub a frozen water bottle along the bottom of your feet. Releasing pressure points in your feet is a good way to help release stress.
• Massage the top and back of your legs to get circulation moving when you have your legs propped up to watch your favorite television show.
• Rub a tennis ball along your neck, shoulder blades and spine before bed to help loosen common tight and tense muscles due to stress.

Mental Stress Messes with your Mood and Body

Heated discussions with family or co-workers, long to-do lists and an overscheduled lifestyle might be business as usual in your daily life, but all of the individual pressures you face each day can quickly pile up into a huge heap of mental stress. Mental stress tends to show itself in your attitude toward yourself and others, as well as the way you communicate and interact with the people around you. It also can affect your body physically by flaring up muscle tension in your neck, shoulder blades and at the temples of your forehead. In the long term, mental stress can lead to insomnia, ulcers, internal organ issues, depression and anxiety.

Healthy Lifestyles Stress the Importance of Taking Care of Yourself

Ultimately, it is up to you whether you are going to be a victim of stress or if you are going to take the proper steps to break its vicious cycle. The first step to winning the fight is to take responsibility for the stress in your life and become accountable for minimizing it. The simple act of taking time out for yourself on a regular basis can lead to making big strides toward living a healthy and stress-free lifestyle. By taking a break on a regular basis, you are making it a point to step away from your hectic life, even if it’s just for a few minutes, to relax and release built-up tension.

Implementing the following regular habits into your lifestyle to begin the process of taking care of and time out for yourself.

• Get out and walk around the block each morning or night to move the muscles in your body and get away from the world. Turn off your phone and just tune into taking time for yourself both mentally and physically.
• Leave stress from your job at the office by not bringing work home. At the end of each day, write a list of everything you want to focus on for the following day and leave it on your desk. This can help minimize worrying about work situations during your off hours.
• Schedule regular massage therapy sessions to heal and repair your body by relaxing your muscles and mind. When the body is massaged, it stimulates the release of chemicals in the brain that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Get on a path to a healthier, happy lifestyle by breaking the pattern of a stressed-out existence. Replace the people and things that are stressing you out with activities and habits that support taking time out for yourself and regularly releasing the tension that builds up throughout your day.

The Labor of Love: Take Care of Yourself to Better Care for Others

Day in and day out we spend our time and energy laboring over the people and things that are important to our lives – careers, spouse, kids, religion, friends, hobbies and so on. While we’re busy serving the needs of everyone around us, we can easily lose sight on the importance of taking care of our own health and wellness.

Shed the Guilt

Putting value on taking care of yourself doesn’t make you selfish, self-centered or egotistical. On the contrary, when you value your self-worth and the importance of taking care of your physical and mental well-being, you’re positioning yourself to better care for others. Taking time for yourself guilt-free on a regular basis also equips you to make a more impactful difference in someone else’s life. Once a day or once a week, schedule one-on-one time with yourself to re-group your thoughts and revitalize your energy.

Feed Your Mind and Body with Healthy Habits
Giving your mind and body a good chance to succeed in life begins with surrounding yourself with plentiful doses of nutrients, praise and a living environment that supports a happy and healthy lifestyle. It’s important to fuel yourself with the proper attention you need by:

• Getting enough sleep. The National Institutes of Health suggest that adults get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
• Eating a healthy diet. The USDA Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to consume more healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins, while consuming less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars and refined grains.
• Drinking enough water. Recent studies have shown that the majority of Americans don’t drink adequate amounts of water. Specific water consumption varies by individual, but factors such as health, activity levels and where you live should be taken into consideration.
• Taking a few minutes of alone time each day to re-focus and balance yourself.
• Surrounding yourself with positive people and influences.

Put on the Brakes
In our always-on-the-go, can-do society, it’s very easy to get sucked into saying “yes” to every incoming request. Try as you may, one person can’t do it all.

Some of the most successful projects and outcomes in life are those that include a group of people working together for a common cause. Avoid the urge to jump in and try to do everything. Instead, say “yes” to others offering their help and only commit to the things you truly love.

If an activity doesn’t suit you, it’s OK to take a step back and say no. You’ll be much better off in the long run and reduce the chances of becoming overwhelmed if you’re more selective about how you spend your time. If you find yourself feeling frazzled and stressed out, don’t be afraid to take a break and spend a few minutes focusing on yourself.

Make a Difference in Someone’s Life
Giving back to your loved ones or community can be a wonderful experience, especially when properly balanced with taking care of yourself. Supporting your friends, family and community members not only helps those in need, but it also can be good for fueling your heart and soul. 

Instead of solely focusing on laboring on others and leaving yourself in the dark this winter, turn on the lights to taking care of yourself too by placing value and importance on your overall health and wellness. Loving yourself and focusing on your individual well-being will naturally lead to being able to care for and support your loved ones, as well as excel in all avenues of your life. 

Goals to Accomplish Before the New Year

Want to check off a few more goals before the new year? Here are some doable goals you should be adding to you goal checklist before 2021!

LEARN SOMETHING NEW- It’s never too late to learn something new! Try cooking a new recipe, bake a festive dessert, try a brand new workout class or master a new craft!

 

GATHER YOUR FAMILY RECIPES– This is something fun the whole family can do together! Find your favorite recipes and create a cookbook that is full of your family’s heritage, just in time for the holidays.

 

TAKE A PICTURE A DAY- Why not end this crazy year by taking a picture of something you love every day! It can be a keepsake to remind yourself that there is always something to be grateful for. 

 

PLAN A TRIP- It doesn’t have to be far. Plan a trip to your nearest park and have a picnic. Or take a hike somewhere close to home that you’ve never been to before. 

 

INDULGE IN LIFE’S LITTLE PLEASURES- Eat the ice cream, spend time relaxing with family and friends, take a bike ride, get the massage, read a book or call someone you love.

 

ORGANIZE- Why not start the New Year feeling organized! Sort through your junk drawer (I know we all have one), donate clothes you don’t wear anymore or organize old documents. 

 

MEDITATE OR PRAY FOR 10 MINUTES A DAY- This is such a great way to remind yourself how wonderful life truly is. Drown out the negative noise for 10 minutes and remember how blessed you are. 

 

BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS- We know this year has been hard. The best thing you can do for yourself and others is to offer kindness. Everyone has their own hidden struggles, so be quick to offer a smile, a wave, maybe buy someone’s coffee or compliment a stranger’s cute outfit. Kindness goes a long way.

Relax, Repair, Rejuvenate with Swedish Massage Therapy

 

Swedish massage is one of the most well-known massage techniques in the industry, but it may not always get the credit it deserves when it comes to repairing and rejuvenating both your mind and body. Often overshadowed by the more in-depth and specific modalities such as deep tissue, trigger point and sports massage, Swedish massage techniques have pioneered the power of touch to relax, heal and rejuvenate for hundreds of years.

Relax with Long, Steady Strokes

The cornerstone of Swedish massage is using long, rhythmic strokes to help the brain and body relax in tandem. Its relaxing, therapeutic nature is one of the many reasons that Swedish massage continues to be one of the most requested and delivered therapy modalities in studios across the country.

There are five basic strokes attributed to Swedish massage, all of which can be used in the same session to relax and unwind your mind and body.  

Swedish techniques to include:

• Effleurage – Repetitive gliding strokes the therapist does with their palms, thumbs or fingertips.
• Petrissage – Kneading, squeezing or pressing motions used to release muscle tension and reduce knots.
• Tapotement – Rhythmic tapping motion used to release tight muscles and relax muscle spasms.
• Friction – Deeply penetrating circular motion used to stimulate nerves and relax muscles.
• Vibration – This relaxing technique increases blood flow, which helps to promote pain relief and deep relaxation.

Repair Stressed Muscles with Tender Loving Care

Although considered a gentler touch therapy, Swedish massage is a powerful tool for relieving tense muscles and relaxing tight areas throughout your body. This technique also can help improve your immunity by moving lymph fluids and releasing the body’s natural feel good hormones that can help you heal. You can get many of the same physical benefits of massage with Swedish that you can achieve with other deeper modalities, says Spicer. It all just comes down to what clients need and what level of pressure they can handle.



Rejuvenate the Mind and Body with the Total Package of Swedish Massage

Swedish massage has continued to provide positive results throughout the years for promoting health and wellness for both the mind and body. Studies have even found that only one Swedish massage therapy session can positively benefit biological effects on immune functionality and hormones associated with the nervous system. After only a single 45-minute Swedish massage, the study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that adults experienced an improvement in the immune system by increasing lymphocytes circulation, as well as a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol and other associated nervous system hormones.

If you’re like most people in today’s society that have trouble relaxing and tuning out all of the daily distractions, then Swedish massage may be the best answer to help you unwind, release tension, and start feeling better both mentally and physically. As the building block to most other massage modalities and the basis for typical education in the massage therapy industry, Swedish massage is readily available at almost every massage studio in the country. Just like with any massage, though, it’s important to choose a licensed therapist who listens to your needs and adjusts the pressure appropriately so that you can enjoy all of the mental and physical benefits of a healing touch.

Tips and Tricks to Prepare for the Holiday Season

 

Can you believe it’s almost time for the holidays?! 

We know this year has been a wild ride, to say the least. It’s so important to remember that even though this year hasn’t been what we expected it to be, we can still make this holiday season full of joy and giving. It may take some creativity and a positive attitude, but we are tough and we can overcome anything this year throws at us. Here are some tips and tricks to make this upcoming holiday season a little less stressful for you and your family!

BE KIND TO YOURSELF. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE’VE BEEN THROUGH A “PANDEMIC HOLIDAY.” IT’S MORE THAN LIKELY GOING TO LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, SO GIVE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY GRACE AS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON APPROACHES.

PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY MEALS NOW. HOLIDAY MEALS ARE AMAZING, BUT THEY CAN BE DOWNRIGHT STRESSFUL! TAKE SOME TIME TO PLAN YOUR MENU AND DELEGATE DISHES TO FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS!

MAKE LISTS. THE HOLIDAYS BECOME STRESSFUL BECAUSE WE’RE TRYING TO SPIN 50 DIFFERENT PLATES. START WRITING YOUR HOLIDAY LISTS NOW SO YOU DON’T FORGET ANYTHING. YOU’LL THANK YOURSELF!

KEEP THE KIDDOS HAPPY. HAVE A SMALL AREA DESIGNATED FOR THE LITTLE ONES. MAYBE HAVE A FEW BOARD GAMES, PUZZLES, COLORING BOOKS, AND HOLIDAY CRAFTS AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO USE.

MAKE A BUDGET FOR FOOD, GIFTS, AND ENTERTAINING. FINANCES ALWAYS CAUSE STRESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS. START YOUR BUDGET NOW, SO YOU DON’T OVERSPEND THIS SEASON!

MAKE SOME TIME FOR YOU. DON’T OVERWHELM YOURSELF! TAKE A DAY FOR YOU IN BETWEEN ALL THE COOKING, PARTIES, AND SHOPPING. BOOK A MASSAGE OR A FACIAL AND TAKE AN HOUR FOR YOU.

MAINTAIN A HOLIDAY SELF-CARE ROUTINE. KEEP UP ON YOUR WORKOUTS, CONTINUE TO DRINK LOTS OF WATER, GET ADEQUATE SLEEP, AND MAKE TIME TO LAUGH!

 

We can still find joy during the 2020 holiday season! We may have to be a little more proactive this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make this holiday season one to remember!

5 Tips To Manage Stress

 

Our state of mind has a powerful effect on our physical well-being. Stress can deplete our energy reserves and lower our immunity. If you feel stressed, it is crucial to take time to release emotional and mental tensions. Slowing down the chattering mind and releasing anxiety will make you feel strong, alert and able to tackle challenges in a productive way. Reducing stress can also boost your immune system. Here are a few tips to let go of tensions:

Take Mindfulness Breaks

To release stress, try taking a few mindfulness breaks during the day. Start by closing your eyes and becoming aware of your body, relaxing your shoulders and any other parts of the body where you feel tension. Take your time and with your awareness, go through each part of the body one by one, relaxing and releasing. Do not forget to breathe. This only takes a few moments and will have a great impact on your wellbeing. If you find it difficult to take mindfulness breaks, try creating your own ritual around it. You could light a candle, put on relaxing music, burn incense or use aromatherapy oils. Shankara has a variety of aromatherapy blends specifically formulated to uplift the mind and encourage a deeper meditative state. Elements Massage has partnered with Shankara and offers an exclusive line of aromatherapy blends that can be added to any massage to enhance the experience and encourage a deeper level of relaxation and restoration.

Stay Grounded with Massage

We are much more susceptible to feeling stressed and overwhelmed when we are not grounded. In order to anchor the racing mind we need to get back into our bodies. One of the best ways to achieve this is with massage. Receiving a regular massage can make a huge difference in regaining and maintaining our sense of inner strength and balance. In fact massage is so important to our wellbeing that in many traditions it is recommended to do a mini self-massage regularly if not daily. This is a great way to maintain the benefits of your professional massage in between visits to see us.

Focus on Breathing

Stress influences our breathing and in turn breathing can influence and reduce stress. One of the best breathing exercises to calm the mind is a technique called alternate nostril breathing. This is a very powerful tool to combat stress.

Unwinding

This is a simple and powerful way to release tension in your body and mind. You will need about 10 minutes of alone time where you won’t be interrupted. Start by standing, sitting down or laying on your bed. Close your eyes, let go, and allow your body to release tension. You may feel like swaying, contracting, lengthening etc. You may notice that you start yawning which is a sign of tension leaving your system. Emotions most likely will rise up during the process as stress gets released. Be a witness to those emotions and observe as they rise up and get released in waves. Take as long as you need to rest afterwards and come out of the process. You will be amazed at how light and refreshed you will feel! If you are having difficulty feeling into your body try putting on some music that speaks to your heart for the process. You can also stand with your eyes closed, bend your knees slightly, relax your body and start bouncing gently. This may help you connect and feel what is happening inside yourself more easily.

Invite Restorative Sleep

To get better quality sleep, avoid electronic devices for at least one hour before bed. This gives your mind a chance to unwind. You can play relaxing music, do some gentle stretching, take a warm bath…anything that helps you let go of the tensions of the day. Drinking a cup of turmeric milk and massaging your feet with essential oils to help with grounding and calming.

All 5 of these tips can help release tension and increase mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Anxiety being more predominant when vata (air element in the body/mind) gets aggravated, it is important to remember to slow down, follow a regular routine and to ground and nurture ourselves to keep vata in check.

RELAX INTO AUTUMN

 

HOW DOES RECEIVING A MASSAGE HELP PROMOTE RELAXATION?

Physiologically, massage lowers blood pressure and heart rate which definitely promotes relaxation. Energetically, just being in a more calm environment promotes relaxation as well.

WHAT ARE SOME TIPS AND TRICKS GUESTS CAN USE TO HELP RELAX AT HOME?

Once again, changing the environment you’re in. It’s always beneficial to just take a few moments out of the day to turn off electronics, get into a calm, quiet space and simply shut your eyes for a few moments.  Also there are great guided meditation videos on YouTube that are very helpful. Using certain essential oils, such as lavender and eucalyptus, help with relaxation as well.

WHAT IS THE #1 COMPLAINT YOU SEE COMING INTO YOUR CENTER?

Personally, I have quite a few clients that suffer from migraines.

IS THERE ANYTHING GUESTS CAN DO TO COMBAT THAT PROBLEM?

One main cause of  migraines is a condition called bruxism, which is where one grinds their teeth during their sleep. This causes tension not only in the muscles of the neck and upper back, but also the facial muscles as well. Managing stress levels is a key point in helping with migraines.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU SUGGEST GUESTS COME IN FOR A MASSAGE TO RECEIVE THE BEST BENEFITS?

Of course, each client and case is different. In my opinion, at the bare minimum, monthly massage consistently is needed to receive the most benefit.  But please come in, speak with your therapist honestly, and together the best treatment plan can be obtained.  

WITH SUMMER ENDING AND COOLER WEATHER COMING, IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO STAY ON TOP OF RECEIVING CONSISTENT MASSAGES?

ABSOLUTELY!!! I cannot stress this enough! Consistent massage not only helps with the effects of osteoarthritis during this time, but also helps with serotonin and dopamine release which combats depression that is more prevalent during the winter months as well.  

HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL 2020

 

With life’s current state of unknowns still making us feel like we’re searching for a sense of balance, it’s so important to create and maintain some healthy habits. What better time to start those new habits than right now! Here is a list of doable, healthy habits that will make you feel more balanced, relaxed, and stress-free throughout this season of fall.

 

HAVE A MORNING ROUTINE

• make your bed each morning
• take 10 minutes to relax without your phone
• soak up some sunlight
• exercise before heading to work or starting your day
• journal 5 things you’re grateful for

 

DRINK MORE WATER THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY!

 

EAT HEALTHY, WHOLESOME MEALS!

 

PICK ONE DAY THIS MONTH TO DO SOMETHING FOR YOU!  BOOK A MASSAGE OR FACIAL.

 

BE KIND TO YOURSELF.

 

DO SOMETHING NEW AND FUN!

Go for a scenic fall drive, sip on hot apple cider, make some hot cocoa, and watch a cute movie or go apple picking with the kids or your significant other!

HAVE A NIGHTTIME ROUTINE

• read instead of watching TV
• wash your face
• hug your family
• journal 5 amazing things that happened that day

 

REMEMBER YOU’RE DOING A GREAT JOB!

 

You don’t need to tackle all of these healthy habit suggestions. Just pick one or two that seem doable for you and your family, and see if you don’t find yourself feeling more relaxed and stress-free this fall season.

 

 

 

Massage and Medical History: Top Three Things to Tell Your Therapist

 

If you’re looking for a good massage therapist, it’s important to find someone who is invested in getting to know the entirety of their clients and not just what hurts in the moment. A good therapist wants to know not only how a client feels mentally and physically at the time of the massage appointment, but also how they can help their clients move forward to accomplish their goals during and after the massage therapy session. In order to give you the best massage experience that meets all of your needs medically, mentally and physically, 

Medical History

Getting a massage is more than just rubbing a tight muscle here and there. Therapeutic massage is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to well-being based on the body's natural ability to heal itself. Massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions that range from stress-induced tension and sleep disorders to high blood pressure, diabetes, lower back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, cancer-related fatigue, post-operative care, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation and depression.

Due to the power of massage to heal and restore your mind and body’s health and wellness, it’s important to disclose all of your medical history to your therapist before starting a session so that he or she can customize your massage experience. Prior to getting your first massage from a new therapist and every massage going forward should include a thorough dialogue between you and your therapist about current and past medical conditions.

Current Medications

When you’re seeking a massage to relax and unwind your muscles and your mind, you may not think about the importance of letting your therapist know about prescription and over-the-counter medications that you take regularly. However, massage is such a circulatory process that can promote healing on even a cellular level that it’s important to disclose every medication or pain relievers that you may be taking. This critical information can help the therapist make sure that the bodywork he/she provides doesn’t interfere with the purpose of your medications.

Accidents and Injuries

Using massage therapy to encourage a more rapid healing process for existing injuries can be a powerful approach to rehabilitation and recovery. In these instances, therapists will want to know specifics about the pain you’re feeling and the details associated with the injuries so they can deliver the best massage experience to meet your goals. However, it’s also important to let therapists know about past injuries or accidents too so they can ensure to not aggravate the affected area.

Before getting a massage always take the time to discuss your medical history, medications and accidents or injuries with your massage therapist. 

Emotional Wellness and What It Means For You

 

October is Emotional Wellness Month, and a great opportunity to take a deeper look into what Emotional Wellness is, and what it can mean for you and your overall health.

According to the National Center for Emotional Wellness, emotional wellness is “an awareness, understanding and acceptance of our feelings, and our ability to manage effectively through challenges and change.” Whether you are feeling like you are on cloud nine or struggling with one of life’s little curve balls, it’s important to find self-care practices to help support healthy emotional wellness through mind/body balance.

Sounds simple, right? For most of us, not really! We tend to get caught up in current events, daily pressures, and worries about tomorrow. There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of that, the issue comes when those agitations lead to chronic emotional stress, such as depression or anxiety, that affect our daily activities and relationships. High levels of stress can even cause physical problems such as ulcers, diabetes, and a weakened immune system. Science shows being out of balance, be it your mind or body, can be detrimental to our overall health and wellbeing.

Here are a few ideas of how you can support your emotional wellness and keep that mind/body balance. Experiment, discover what works for you, and commit for at least a few weeks to give your new routine a chance to take effect. In time, you will hopefully begin to feel a positive shift within yourself

Yoga—Yoga soothes, stretches, helps you slow down, clears your mind, and teaches you to really breathe. There are a variety of different types so try a few and find ones that suit you.

Meditation—This can be a five minute mindfulness break if you don’t have the time or focus to do anything more. Seriously, all it takes is 5 minutes a day to feel a change. 

Massage— Massage therapy supports a healthy mind/body connection. It can reduce pain, promote relaxation, and ease stress and tension. Getting a monthly massage is an easy thing you can incorporate into your self-care routine to help take care of your body (and mind)! With the Elements Massage Wellness Program you’ll receive a monthly massages 100% personalized to meet your needs, all with no contract. The only thing you are committing to is your wellness.

Sleep—Getting good zzzz’s helps you focus, think clearly, and function at your best. Most adults need between 7-9 hours. Find your sweet spot and stick to a regular routine for optimum sleep hygiene.

Gratitude—A daily gratitude practice lets you focus on the good things in life. You’ll hold onto positive emotions longer, bounce back faster, and appreciate all that you have.

With practice, we can build and maintain our emotional wellness. Integrating healthy habits into our everyday lives gives us the resilience to handle even the most difficult times. These daily, weekly, or monthly practices help us feel better now, while also investing in our future wellbeing.

How Pain Can Affect Your Emotional Wellness

 

Pain affects every single one of us at any stage and often many stages of our life. The category of pain is the leading reason people seek medical attention from a general practitioner, and accounts for approximately 80% of all physician visits. It is estimated that currently, 50 million Americans experience chronic pain such as:

• back pain
• headaches
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• osteoarthritis
• neck and shoulder pain
• fibromyalgia

It doesn’t have to be chronic pain to have negative effects. Anyone who has had muscle aches, or shoulder or back pain that comes and goes, or a temporary injury, has likely noticed the connection to negative emotions like anxiety, stress, or depression, or general mood swings. Left unchecked, this can have long-term negative consequences, affecting your overall health and getting in the way of everyday tasks and responsibilities at home and work.

Not to mention pain really throws a kink in your active lifestyle, preventing you from doing the things you love—the things that make you, you!

Pain is a multi-dimensional, subjective experience unique to every individual. Weirdly, pain doesn’t only affect your emotions, causing you to be anxious or depressed, it can also be the expression of your anxiety and depression. That’s right, your unaddressed emotional baggage could be causing pain, and/or your pain could be causing you emotional distress. Talk about a knot to untangle!

The good news is, there is significant evidence supporting the inclusion of massage therapy to help alleviate the different types of pain that plague so many of us—and even prevent them from getting severe in the first place.

So how might massage help combat these negative impacts and help to manage all kinds of pain?

A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis found that, “massage therapy may be beneficial, with minimal safety concerns, for treating various pain and function-related outcomes in pain populations.” The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued new guidelines for treating low back pain that recommends massage and other complementary therapies such as applied heat and acupuncture over “costly and potentially harmful drugs.”

It’s also important to point out that in addition to pain relief, massage therapy can play a big role in the management of anxiety and depression which have become so common in modern day. In fact, stress and anxiety reduction is among the most common physician referrals and patient requests for massage therapy.

So whether it’s physical pain causing emotional stress, vice versa, or one or the other, massage is a definite win-win-win-win.

Clearly this isn’t a secret. In 2019, According to the American Massage Therapy Association, 21% of adult Americans received a massage, with 52% reporting it was for a health or medical reason and 26% reporting it was for relaxation and reducing stress.

When it comes to seeking relief from pain and discomfort, or anxiety and stress, or all of the above, massage therapy can play a large role in your management solution. That’s the upside. And there really is no downside. Massage has been shown to have few risks or adverse side effects, and is generally recognized as safe, therapeutic, and effective.

The Power of Positive Thinking

 

A positive thought can carry you for hundreds of miles, while a negative moment can stop you dead in your tracks. Stay the course of pursuing a happy, healthy and fulfilled life by embracing the power of positive thinking. The best fuel to keep propelling your journey forward to everlasting joy, strength and satisfaction includes the right mix of good thoughts, supportive influences and a strong heart.

Focus on What Makes You Happy
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut doing what you think you’re supposed to be doing or what others expect of you. To be truly happy, though, you need to be real with yourself and not focus on a perceived, artificial sense of happiness that may be portrayed by your friends, family or the media.

Another element to achieving happiness is making it a point to give yourself a break. Too many times, you can be your biggest critic. Let yourself be happy and enjoy the times when you accomplish a goal. If you fall short, it’s OK. Chalk it up as a learning experience and move on. Be happy with the person you are and don’t waste your energy beating yourself up emotionally for what could’ve been or will be in your future.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason and better things will come along if you don’t get the first opportunity you were looking forward to,” Williams shares. “Tell yourself that tomorrow is another day.”

Funnel Out Negative Thoughts and Influences
Small nagging feelings and negative influences that continually chip away at your positive attitude can quickly become road blocks to experiencing happiness. Turn away this type of negativity by not dwelling on it, but rather focusing on all of the good things that happened during your day (both large and small) and the people who mean the most in your life. By staying mentally strong, you are setting yourself up for a more positive and fulfilling lifestyle.

“If you have more of a mental hold on yourself, you are a stronger person who can deal with negative experiences better,” says Williams. “It’s important to keep yourself together and content.”

Life is too short to be bombarded by the negative influences of your social media friends or the gloomy stories highlighted on the nightly news. Instead, surround yourself with good-natured people who actually live in your neighborhood and are invested in establishing a supportive community. Also, keep your social media activity focused on sharing uplifting stories, milestones achieved and the small happy moments that make up your day.

“People are going to talk and you’re going to hear about it. But, you know yourself the best and it’s important to focus on that,” advises Williams.

Follow Your Heart
The beat of your heart is the source of your literal livelihood.  But it's also your figurative guiding compass for directing you toward happiness and a sense of fulfillment.

To stay on track to living a prosperous life, Williams believes that it’s imperative to follow your heart and everything else will naturally fall into place as it’s meant to be.

“I honestly just count my blessings and focus on how lucky I am to have such a great family, friends and support system,” shares Williams.

You are who you are by the life experiences, influences and beliefs you choose to adopt. But, you are the only person who can truly make you happy. If you believe in yourself and the power of positive thinking, great things could be waiting for you right around the corner.