Stress can be mind boggling to understand. We know it’s real because we can feel it and we (I am raising my hand right now) know that de stressing and introducing relaxation techniques is the BEST way to relieve stress. But just what is happening underneath our skin, at the cellular level when we become stressed? If you are like me then you are curious too. As a licensed massage therapist for quite a few years now there is one thing I see time and time again. Massage therapy can help with reducing stress and improve mood. We are just now finding out what is going on with our bodies when we receive massage, Scientific research is showing us how stimulating the sympathetic nerve system effect lowering our blood pressure. The Massage Therapy Foundation is a pioneer who is making that possible.
A few more great stress relievers are practicing yoga and meditation as well as listening to soothing music. I have experienced this myself and have seen it in my own clients. Often times the music I play in my massage treatment room is composed to effect our brain waves and lower our heart beat. That’s why I enjoy playing Art Lindemanis’s music, he is also a massage therapist based in NY and creates amazing music for the healing arts.
There truly is something to be said about the mind body connection. Stress forms in our minds first. This can happen when we worry about things like taxes, our children, the economy, what others think of us, our safety and so on. Finding ways to shut off or tune out our worrisome thoughts is for some a learned art. For me massage therapy was the ticket, then yoga and then guided meditation. It didn’t all happen at one and it certainly didn’t happen over night. In a time span of two years I began to see my body heal itself.
I get very person in this audio and talk about a life changing moment in my life that has lead me on this journey of healing and really getting my message out about encouraging others to find stress relief for themselves.
Go ahead and pick one or two of the following ways to manage your stress below, implement one at a time so you do not feel overwhelmed. Remember it’s about ACTION not perfection!
- Practice Yoga
- Include daily meditation, start with 5 minutes
- Use a guided meditation CD, try finding one online or at your local library
- Foster healthy friendships
- Keep a success journal -- This includes writing down 5 successes from that day, no matter how small
- Practice gratefulness and forgiveness
- Exercise daily
- Use pressure points for relaxation
- Find healthy ways to be happy, and increase laughter
- Massage or Bodywork
So now I want you to do me a favor, in the comments below please tell me your #1 ah-ha moment or tip that you enjoyed from the audio.
-Kristen
P.S.- Here is a great list of 101 ways to de stress, which I found at http://library.thinkquest.org/13561/english/101_reduce.html. It’s a great guide that lists so many awesome ways to make sure our stress levels are in check. I love the one about making a few extra copies of your keys. How cool!
