Massage for Stress Management

October 19, 2009
Massage in Frankfurt, Germany
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A popular comedy skit program in England, Smack The Pony, recently had a skit set in a masseur’s office.  The masseur tried a new essential oil said to be the world’s most relaxing.  She poured in on her client’s back and began to massage and the back turned into squishy putty!  This is obviously an exaggeration, but shows that massage for stress management or relief can effectively relax your body and mind.

The Healing Touch

Skin on skin contact is one of the most ancient of cure-alls.  A kiss on a boo-boo, sleeping in your parent’s bed after a nightmare, or petting your dog can lower your blood pressure, make you breathe steadily and help your body’s natural healing powers.  Massage for stress relief is not just for feeling good, but for overall body health.  Rock star Peter Gabriel insists on having a full body massage by a female masseuse before he can face going out on stage.  Even if you have never attended his pre-show massages, you may have seen him command a stage for over two hours of intense physical and emotional performances.

Yeah, But He Can Afford It

You don’t have to get a professional full body massage every time you’re stressed out.  What do you instinctively do if you bump your elbow?  You hold it and rub it.  Just with personal explorations of what strokes soothe your body and what strokes don’t; you can give a quick massage for stress management or stress relief to yourself.  It’s easier to massage yourself with warm hands lubricated with warm oil or lotion to prevent chafing.

However, be careful not to massage cuts, wounds, broken limbs or burns as you may do more harm than good.  Massaging for stress relief is to relax muscles, stimulate circulation, and generally calm down.  If you have constant back problems, trying a professional masseuse can help alleviate the pain, if your doctor approves.

There are many “Massage 101″ books, periodicals and websites to help you learn some of the massage techniques that have helped others.  Your community college or YMCA might even offer free to low cost massage classes and seminars.  Massage for stress relief is something you have to practice in order to remember it, but even the mistakes can feel good.

Massage for stress management can be found in any forms. There are massage machines available, from a one-battery operated finger-shaped vibrator to huge chairs that massage your whole body with a series of vibrations.  These machines are recommended for people in too much physical pain to exercise regularly or for the infirm.

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Some Stress Relief Activities For Kids

October 16, 2009
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Image by ♥ LB pics ♥ [AWAY] via Flickr

When talking about the stress that today’s children experience there are two basic schools of thought.  One school says that there is no added stress and that the stress level of today’s generation of children is no different than previous generations of children.  The other school of thought states that the children of today are under enormous pressure to succeed academically and socially.  This school of thought further asserts that because of these increased pressures there is tremendous stress that is experienced.

Regardless of which school of thought the reader may be associated with, it is important to practice stress relief activities for kids at an early age.  These stress relief activities for kids will help the young child to cope with any stress that they are currently experiencing and will create good habits in dealing with stress in later life.  A few stress relief activities for kids include the involvement in hobbies, practicing meditation and calming activities before bedtime.

Hobbies

One simple but powerful stress relieving activity is through the use of a hobby.  A hobby is that activity that is practiced or accomplished in which there are no expectations.  It is simply a pastime that is done for the sheer enjoyment of the enthusiast.

A hobby can be the involvement in a sport, creation of a craft, woodworking, coin collecting, etc. Examples can include the playing of chess, bowling or playing softball, working in the woodshop building a bird house, etc. Again, the purpose of taking up a hobby as a stress relief activity for kids is to provide a diversion and not an additional activity that requires the person to excel or be the best.

Meditation

Another excellent stress relief activity for kids is through the use of meditation.  Meditation is simply a time set-aside during the course of the day to release the mind from the bombarding thoughts of the day.  This is simply accomplished by concentrating on one’s breathing and releasing the thoughts that would endeavor to enter the mind.

Also, another technique to help facilitate meditation and practicing stress relief activities for kids is through the vocalization of a mantra.  A mantra is simply a word or number of words that help the individual to meditate.  When the mantra is vocalized the other thoughts are diffused and oneness with the individual’s spirit is obtained.

The use of meditation not only helps to relieve stress, but has a powerful effect on the other physiological functions.  One of those physical benefits of meditation is a reduction in blood pressure.

Calming Activities Before Bedtime

Of all the stress relief activities for kids, probably the most practical is the use of calming activities before the child’s bedtime.  This can be simply accomplished by turning off the television an hour or so before bedtime.  This simple measure will allow the child to begin their resting period and calm down before going to sleep.

Also, before bedtime, other stress relief activities for kids can be incorporated.  Therefore, practicing meditation, yoga or enjoying a relaxing bedtime story can do wonders to reduce the stress level in the child or can help to create good habits as they mature into adulthood.

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Stress Management

September 12, 2009
Lake Louise I am coming!
Image by swisscan(away) via Flickr

Have you been under a considerable amount of stress lately? Are the pressures of completing important projects for your job, taking care of all the responsibilities you have at home, and performing daily tasks just to make sure that your overall health is in tact completely overwhelming you? If so, you’ll definitely need to know a few things about stress management so that you can learn how to stay calm and handle your busy days in the most healthy way.

One of the best ways to achieve stress management is to come up with an exercise program that you know you can stick to. Doing a lot of cardiovascular exercises will help to regulate your heart beat, and will cause blood to flow to all your vital organs on a more regular basis. Exercise also releases endorphins, which are hormones that improve your mood and help you to have a more positive outlook on life. You may need to talk to your doctor about how much exercise you can do in each session if you have experienced an injury in the past, or have diabetes or osteoporosis, but you can definitely work with your physician to customize a plan that is just right for you. And, you’ll end up losing weight and having a more toned body, and who doesn’t want that?

Another method for stress management is to make sure that you’re eating properly. If you live a very fast-paced life, it may be very difficult to make a home-cooked dinner every single night, but even if you have to eat out often, you can still make healthy choices when ordering. Many fast food chains offer salads with fresh fruits and vegetables and grilled chicken, so you’ll get the protein you need, as well as the fiber and antioxidants from fruits and veggies. When you have the right nutrients in your system, your body is more equipped to handle stress and anxiety, and you’ll have lots more energy.

Keep in mind that you’ll also need to take some time for yourself in order for stress management to have a positive effect on your life. Finding a spot in your home for meditation and prayer each day will help you to center your thoughts and figure out ways to handle the difficult situations in your life. This will also help you to regulate your breathing and increase circulation. You can also take natural supplements for stress management, such as a potent multivitamin, as well as B vitamins and 5-HTP to help improve your mood and disposition, even when your day is extremely busy. For more tips on stress management, visit www.ivillage.com.

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