~Stressed Stressed Stressed~

Everywhere I look I see stress and stressed out people (sometimes including me)! :-) Stress comes in so many forms and situations. Massage is great!


What's the connection between massage and stress? Stress relief massage therapy calms the nerves. Don't we all need that sometimes? When you're looking for stress relief, massage therapy can definitely help.

We all feel stress at some point in our lives. Some are generally more stressed than others. Stress is part of the human existence, especially, in modern times. Whether you're stressed because of work, family or time restraints, your body reacts in the same basic way.

The body under stress releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Constant exposure to these hormones speeds the aging process. Sometimes stress can be good. It can help us do more and be more alert, but feeling stress over a long period of time does harm to your body. That's why stress relief is so important.

Prolonged stress causes your heart rate and blood pressure to stay elevated. There are many side effects to stress.

* increased risk of heart disease
* high blood pressure
* obesity
* memory loss
* short temper
* headaches
* muscle tension and soreness
* worry
* insomnia
* restlessness
* skin breakouts
* lowered immune system
* poor judgement
* depression

Those are just a few of the negative effects stress can have on you.

You may be think that stress in your life is unavoidable. And you're right? Everyone will experience some stress in their lives. Some stress is fine, but when that stress gets to be constant it's no longer fine.

Massage therapy helps decrease the production of the stress hormone cortisol. It also lowers heart rate and blood pressure. Massage gets rid of muscle tension, eases depression and boosts the immune system.

Besides all the ways massage can help ease the physical symptoms of stress, it can also give you some quiet time to relax. Laying in a dimly lit room with soft music playing getting a massage is a very relaxing environment. Massage and stress don't mix. It helps to melt that stress away.