Effects of Nature On Our Mental Health

What is nature and how does it affect our health? Well this is one major question that we are coming across these days in relation to have a proper mental health. If we try to understand the meaning of nature in terms of dictionary definition then it clearly states nature as the natural physical world including plants, animals and landscapes etc. It refers to the phenomena of the physical world. In general terms it is also referred to the method related with inanimate objects and the manner in which the particular kind of things exist and change of their own harmony.

Now looking at the present scenario, today if we try to relate the term nature in relation to health then it won't be wrong. Plants represent a vital element of the original ecological system in which the human species evolved. Perhaps the time has come when we all take a close look at the impact of nature on the health of communities and individuals. Since the evolution of life, the nature has always featured as key components in health promotion models. Our relationship with nature is like a basic component that helps in sustaining good health.

As per the recent study conducted in UK, it was found that more than 75% of people live in urban areas and as a result the detachment with nature has contributed to a drastic rise in mental health problems. Roger Ulrich one of the pioneers of research in this area conducted an experiment to explain that patients suffering and recovering from identical operations were more likely to recover quickly if they had a daily view of nature from their hospital beds.

Studies in this field have also shown that well-being and levels of psychological and physiological stress are significantly influenced by our natural surroundings. These days nature is widely used as an element or modern therapy for people who are suffering from physical and mental health problems. In order to improve your mood, now concepts like hospital therapy gardens, wilderness trips for people bearing from ruthless stress have all shown positive effects on patients. Moreover in past few years, it has also been found that horticultural therapy have a growing body of research data which points to the many mental benefits of engaging with nature.

Research from Netherland and Japan has also revealed that people living close to green ambience live longer and enjoy better and healthy life. A Swedish study concluded that if office personnel could view greenery through their office windows, then it further significantly reduce the stress during their working days.

Latest studies from Germany and Australia have also confirmed the capacity of ecosystem of plants to perform as powerful air purifiers. Virginia Lohr at Washington University performed a computer based test on students, and observed that the systolic blood pressure was lower, and measured the performance level. It was found that the reaction time during the test was higher, if plants were present in the computer lab.

From an economical point of view, it should be of great interest to establish a green surrounding that can benefit your mental health by providing opportunities to be physically active both in terms of physical and mental health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Singh_Vineet

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/888202

Look - Another Fantastic Fall Special!

Seasonal changes and hot summer sun can wreak havoc on your skin. Book any spa treatment and receive a Body Polish and Re-hydration

HALF OFF.

(Savings of $27.50)

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Be present in all things and thankful for all things." 

-Maya Angelou 

Wishing You and Your Family a Very Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't Miss Our Super Fall Specials at 36 Oaks Country Retreat

http://36oaks.com/

*Buy 4 massages (or more)- for $58.00 each. 

Great for Christmas Gifts or for yourself!

*$15.00 Off any package

*Complimentary extra hour to relax and sip hot tea with any a la carte treatment.

Take some special time for yourself and watch the deer play in the field, or they might watch you (cute picture of fawn looking up at me - priceless.)

How Could Massage Benefit Your Health?

Cutting Down Cortisol

Cortisol is a steroid hormone, often released as a response to high stress. As such, it's appropriately linked to all the health problems high stress levels offer, for instance anxiety or depression.

Massage is well known for reducing stress levels substantially, even in small doses. Fifteen minutes a week, or even a month can have a real benefit on your state of mind. Cortisol is noted in substantially reduced qualities in individuals who undergo massage, helping with the aforementioned issues.

Improving Immune System

Do you get mouth ulcers regularly? The mouth carries perhaps the most bacteria in the body, and one of the first signs of a weakened immune system is ulcers appearing in the mouth. If you've ever experienced a 'stress ulcer' then you'll know how massage can help you.

High levels of stress result in immune system failure, this is why stressed out individuals get struck down by mouth ulcers at the worst times, it's simply the first place the problem becomes visible. By cutting down your high stress levels, massage can keep your immune system functioning longer. Ulcers, colds, and general sickness are less likely to strike, and with any luck you'll enjoy a far healthier life.

Helping with Pain

Massage has long been used on sports injuries and the like, and it's no wonder why. Massage is noted to decrease stiffness considerably, and reducing pain by a respectable amount. It's a pleasant, drug-free way to get back on the horse after an unpleasant muscle injury, or simply if you're all bunched up after a stressful day.

In these cases you're likely to be seeing Deep or Sports massage, the gentler Swedish massage is more appropriate for simply relaxing the patient. And in terms of helping with pain, it's important to remember this is fairly limited to muscle pain. If you've got a fracture, burn or open wound, then massage risks being both a painful and dangerous experience.

Getting Alert

If you're in a high pressure environment, it's easy to feel the urge to just daze out for a little while and let the stresses fly by. Massage has been seen offering sincere aid to helping individuals stay alert. When a control group was tested against a massaged group in a 1996 TRI study, the massage-recipients answered questions faster and with greater accuracy.

So it's definitely worth giving massage a try, at least. If you've ever had problems with any of the above, then a relaxing appointment might be just the thing to get you back on your feet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_Palmer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7527353

The Warming Benefits of Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Hot stone massage therapy, which is administered via the strategic placement of smooth heated rocks at key points on the body, is a variation of traditional massage used to reduce stiffness in the muscles, ease tension and improve circulation. By placing the heated stones on these specific points - some of which include the hand, toes and back -the muscles are prepared to allow for deeper relaxation.

Your massage therapist will administer a hot rock massage, by rubbing the body with stones to create the ultimate healing and relaxing experience. Because the warm heat from the stones helps to relax the muscles, it allows the therapist to apply deeper pressure. Strategic placement of the rocks during the hot stone massage is important, as they are thought to be the energy centers of the body that returns balance to the mind and body. Deeper muscle penetration and relaxation is one of the attributes that makes the hot stone massage therapy so popular. It is also proven to improve one's circulation and flush out toxins that could be harmful to your body. If you suffer from any of the following medical ailments, hot stone massage therapy could be just what you need:

• Muscle pains and aches;
• Upper and lower back pain;
• Effects of anxiety and stress;
• Symptoms of arthritis;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Insomnia;
• Depression.

So what types of rocks are used in stone massage therapy? The river rocks used in stone massage therapy have been made smooth by the current of the river over time. Made of basalt, they are rich in iron so they retain heat. After being immersed in water, they are placed in a device that heats them to the proper temperature. The hot stone massage technique is very popular, but it is particularly so among anyone who suffers from stress-related symptoms and who are more comfortable with a massage that is administered with a lighter stroke. As mentioned before, during the process of hot stone therapy, the muscles become easier to work with as a result of the warmth being directed to them.

Some people may be turned off by the thought of hot rocks on their body. But there is no need to worry... the stones are always smooth, flat and only about the size of a large egg. The heat is not a concern either, as the hot rocks are warmed under the strictest precautions in a unit that carefully monitors the degree of warmth. And while everyone has their own comfort range, your massage therapist will always hold the stones in his hands before applying them to your body to make sure that they are not too hot.

To begin your hot rock massage session, your therapist will ask that you lie face down on the table so that he/she can place the hot stones on the key points on your back. When the muscles have been sufficiently warmed, the therapist will continue your hot rock massage by removing the rocks and using them to rub your back with just the right amount of pressure needed to provide complete relaxation. Most massage therapists like to incorporate some type of cream, oil or lotion into hot stone massage therapy to allow the stones to run smoothly over your skin. Your massage therapist will then ask that you lie on your back so that he can address the front of your body, by placing the hot stones on the palms of your hands and between your toes.

People should not engage in hot stone massage therapy if they have open wounds or rashes, are currently engaged in chemotherapy or are known to be prone to blood clots. And if you are pregnant, as with any other procedure, you should contact your personal doctor before beginning any massage program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_Barret/603898

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4043784

Another Fantastic Fall Special

Seasonal changes and hot summer sun can wreak havoc on your skin. Book any spa treatment and receive a Body Polish and Re-hydration

HALF OFF.

(Savings of $27.50)

Super Fall Specials at 36 Oaks Country Retreat

http://36oaks.com/

*Buy 4 massages (or more)- for $58.00 each. 

Great for Christmas Gifts or for yourself!

*$15.00 Off any package

*Complimentary extra hour to relax and sip hot tea with any a la carte treatment.

Take some special time for yourself and watch the deer play in the field, or they might watch you (cute picture of fawn looking up at me - priceless.)

Enjoy Pre-Wedding Pampering with Our Bridal Retreat Package

A perfect place for a bridal group day of pampering. Bring your own picnic, or we can cater it for you.

Cost is: Each of you choose your package from retreat packages or choose A La Carte and add $20.00 day fee.

Or... the Bride and Groom might enjoy an evening of pampering before the big day!
*call for pricing

 36 Oaks Country Retreat, nestled in a grove of majestic oak trees on Gibson Canyon Road, is an oasis of relaxation and natural beauty in the Vacaville countryside. A lovely country cottage setting on two and a half acres with wild ferns growing in the shade, deer wandering through, and even an occasional fox or raccoon.

For more information, please visit http://36oaks.com/

Massage Benefits: Pain and Stress Control

Getting a massage is a wonderful thing! There are so many benefits to getting one that it's a wonder everyone doesn't do so regularly. Whether it's to help control muscle pain, stress, or simply to relax, it's something you should definitely try out if you never have before.

A massage is a great way to deal with muscle pain. It doesn't matter much what the cause of the muscle pain is, massages work well for reducing or eliminating it. The pressure and movement of the muscle fibers during one helps to disperse the build up of lactic acid (which is one of the major causes of muscle pain), which helps your body disperse it more quickly so the pain goes away sooner.

Massages are also great ways to reduce stress that you feel for just about any reason. Since a massage is a pleasurable experience, endorphins are released into your body as a result which helps mitigate the feeling of stress and improves relaxation. This is especially true if it is focused on the areas where you carry stress in your body. So make sure to figure out where that is, and ask the person giving you a massage to pay special attention to that part of your body.

Of course the effects of getting a massage are only temporary, and do not address the cause of the muscle pain or stress. So even though they will help you feel better both physically and mentally, these effects will only last for a certain period of time. It will return once again as soon as you experience whatever was causing the stress or muscle pain in the first place.

So it is even better to deal with the issue that is causing the muscle pain or stress in the first place so that it doesn't return again after you get a massage. But it is still a good idea to get one first in order to relax and help to get yourself into a more productive state of mind so that you can deal with the cause more effectively.

And if the cause of your muscle pain or stress is not something that you can change or avoid, you may want to consider getting regular massages. This way, even if you experience muscle pain or are afflicted with stress, you will have a way to reliably reduce or eliminate it afterwards. That way it will become less of a factor in your life, and you'll be happier and healthier for it.

The better you are able to relax, feel good, and keep your level of stress under control, the healthier, happier, and more enjoyable and productive life you will lead. Regular, or even an occasional massage can help you make this a reality in your own life. And what better time to start than now?

Massage Your Stress Away Regularly

Everyone experiences stress in their lives, there's just no way around it. Whether it is caused by your job, family life, financial situation, relationship issues, or something else, it effects your body as well as your mind. A good way to mitigate these effects is by getting a massage.

When you are afflicted with stress, your body releases chemicals that change the way your brain works and the way you feel emotionally. These changes do not produce pleasant effects, and so you don't feel at your best. You also typically tense certain muscles in your body as a coping mechanism for dealing with the stress, whether you know it or not.

The next time that you are feeling stressed (or if you are feeling stressed right now), try to figure out which muscles are suffering because of it. You may already know because you have certain muscles that are sore or feel like they have a knot in them. But if not, there is an easy way to figure it out. Simply close your eyes, take a deep breath, and then start consciously relaxing each part of your body starting with your head and proceeding all the way to your toes. You'll be able to tell which muscles you were tensing and may not have even been aware of.

A massage can help with relieving both the physical as well as the mental tension in your body. Ask the person giving you a massage to focus on the areas where you know you are holding a lot of the tension in your body that was caused by stress. It will help force your muscles to relax and the kneading will help to disperse the lactic acid that has likely built up in the muscles as well. This will have the effect of getting rid of the uncomfortable knot you are feeling.

Getting a massage can also help relieve tension in your mind. If the massage feels good (which they normally do), the pleasure you feel will cause your body to release chemicals called endorphins into your brain which increase the pleasurable sensation and naturally relieve stress.

Regular massages are great ways to help control the level of stress you feel on a normal basis. And they don't have to be expensive, as there are some health insurance plans that cover massages. In fact, some companies even offer an on-site masseuse as a perk for their employees. Otherwise, your significant other would probably be willing to do their best as long as you are willing to reciprocate.

Massages are great ways to reduce and help control the level of stress you feel in your body and your mind. They aren't too expensive, and if you focus on the areas where you carry stress in your body the most, they are even more effective. Go and get one today!

The Benefits Of Getting A Massage

Do you suffer from muscle pain caused by a bad back, a hard workout, or maybe even from having slept in an uncomfortable bed? Well if you do, something that may be able to take your pain away is a massage. And if you've never had one, you don't know what you're missing!

Many people experience muscle pain on a regular basis for any number of different reasons, but don't know what to do about it. Some of them simply believe that it's just a part of life, and they can't do anything about it. So they continue to go through their lives each day living in pain.

Other people do try to do something about their muscle pain. One of the things they try to do to manage their muscle pain is take some sort of pain medication. These may be pills that can be purchased right off of the pharmacy shelf, or they may be prescription pain-killers. But they will usually need to try many different types in order to find one that works well for their type of pain. And that is assuming that they do find one that works.

There are downsides to taking medications in order to control muscle pain though. Besides having to try different types before finding one that works, even after having found one other problems may still crop up. You may start to develop an immunity to medication, making it necessary to take more and more each day. This could become expensive, or the pills could even stop working altogether.

Another option some people take in order to get rid of their muscle pain is to stop doing whatever it is that causes the pain in the first place. If it's caused by sleeping on an uncomfortable bed, they get a new mattress. If it's because they workout really hard, they change their workout routine. However, this may not always be an option.

The method that works for many people, that you cannot develop an immunity to, and that doesn't have to be expensive either is massage. Some health insurance plans even cover massages under certain conditions, which can make them inexpensive or even free. Or if you have a significant other, you can get a book or video to learn how and then practice on each other.

A massage that has been given to you by a skilled masseuse can help you rid yourself of muscle pain, and provide an enjoyable experience at the same time. I would encourage you to try it and see for yourself!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Leonid_Metelitsa/689076

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5153474