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.