News: November 2022

Reduce Your Stress TODAY!

Now is the time to take a step back and think about how stress might be affecting your body, mind, and wellbeing. The detrimental effects of stress are widely known, yet we continue to push through our days anxious and exhausted. Some of us don't even realize that we're stressed.

Today, start practicing awareness of the stress in your life, so that you can discover ways to reduce it. This doesn't mean you have to meditate for an hour every day. It could be as simple as cutting an unnecessary task from the to-do list, avoiding stressful situations (if possible), and making sure you schedule a little time for yourself every day. (Click here for more ways to stop stress before it starts.) You can even reduce stress with basic lifestyle adjustments, such as getting enough sleep, staying well hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and getting plenty of exercise.

Can you guess what else is a major stress buster? I'll give you a hint: it's much safer and more effective than pills or alcohol. Yes, massage! Stress reduction is a tried-and-true benefit of massage therapy. Repeated studies have shown massage therapy to decrease stress by activating the parasympathetic ("rest and digest") nervous system, reducing muscle tension, promoting better sleep, and improving mental health. Here's a recent study available for free.

The number of ways to reduce stress is virtually limitless, and different methods work for different people. Get creative! Find activities that effectively alleviate your stress, and make it a point to implement them daily. Here are a few ideas:

Go for a walk
Guided meditation (check out apps like HeadSpace and Calm)
Have a hot cup of tea
Read a good book
Watch your favorite movie or show
Listen to music you love
Call a friend
Listen to a fun audiobook or podcast
Take a nap
Self-massage
Get a massage
Take a hot bath
Yoga
Tai Chi
Dance
Go to a Meetup
Color
Write in a journal
Do a craft
Get out in nature
Practice gratitude (It's almost Thanksgiving after all!)

Honor National Stress Awareness Day by honoring yourself. Take a step today towards reducing your stress and remember that moods are contagious. When you alleviate your stress, you're helping to ease the stress of those around you.

Alleviate Stress With This Relaxing Face Self-Massage

Here's an easy first step to reducing your stress! You don't even need to go anywhere. Just click the video and follow along.

Did you know that just massaging your face can relax your whole body? There are pressure points on the forehead, temples, cheeks, and jaw that can ease pain and reduce anxiety. Join me as we alleviate headaches, jaw tension, sinus pressure, and stress with this relaxing and revitalizing face self-massage.