4 Fascinating Ways That a Hot Stone Massage Benefits Our Minds

Hot stone massages can benefit your mind as much as your body. We usually think about the benefits of these massages for our bodies. For instance, hot stone massages can:

o improve our blood circulation
o reduce pain
o release toxins
o relax our muscles

These benefits are certainly important, especially after a stressful day at work or school. However, we should not disregard the mental benefits of massage. Maintaining sound mental health is equally as important as maintaining sound physical health. Here are some of the most important mental benefits from a hot stones massage:

1. Improves our ability to think calmly

When our minds are stressed-out, we tend to react to situations in an irrational way, and to make irrational decisions. The results could be disastrous. For instance, "road rage" can cause us to drive aggressively and make various irrational decisions. That could include running a red traffic light, cutting off another driver, etc. Indeed, remember the old adage "cooler heads will prevail." A hot stone massage can help to relax your mind, allowing you to think rationally and calmly.

2. Encourages a relaxed state of alertness

My Little League baseball "career" lasted one season, after I got a black eye on a pop-fly ball. However, we can apply the baseball lesson of "keeping your eye on the ball," to virtually every aspect of our lives. It is important that we are constantly alert throughout the day. We must be alert to operate a vehicle, listen to the instructions of bosses, teachers, and so on.

Hot stone massages can increase our state of alertness. They become a form of meditation, clearing our minds of the worries of the world. When our minds are not bogged down with these thoughts, we can focus on our day-to-day lives. Also, when our bodies our relaxed, we are physically ready to spring into action when in "fight or flight" situations.

3. Improves our ability to be creative

It is difficult to write a poem or song lyrics, when our minds remain focused on other matters. However, by clearing and relaxing our minds through a hot stone massage, we get our "creative juices" flowing, and can then produce extraordinary creative works.

4. Lowers mental stress

Typically, when we think about stress, we think about the physical effects that it has on our lives. However, we should not overlook the impact of mental stress. A low-to-moderate level of stress in our lives is good. However, when our lives experience too much stress, this can be overbearing on our minds. We continuously fret about the difficulties in our lives, causing our minds to feel as disorganized as an unsolved jigsaw puzzle. Fortunately, a hot stone massage can help to reduce our mental stress, making our minds at peace.

When we think about the benefits of hot stone therapy, we typically focus on the benefits to our body. However, we should not overlook the benefits to our minds. Hot stone massages can help to unleash the power of positive thinking!

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Dr. Oz on the Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

Dr. Mehmet Oz believes in the health benefits of massage therapy.

Popular Types Of Massage To Help You Relax

Most people will turn to massage therapy to relax and revitalize their tired bodies and for that there are different types of massage one can choose from. You may not know it but actually there are over a hundred different types of massage, which means that your choice is not limited to the more common ones.
Through the years people have come up with different ways to improve or to develop variations with massage techniques infusing Eastern techniques with the Western techniques. But whichever technique you decide to have, massages in general are beneficial to both your mind and your body.

Some of the health benefits one can get from different massage techniques are: improved blood circulation, relief from tension headaches and detoxification among others. To give you an idea of the massage therapies you should try, here are other popular types of massage that is sure to help you find harmony within your body.

1. Swedish massage is perhaps the most popular choice for a massage therapy. It involves kneading and circular movements using smooth strokes to help penetrate through the muscles. This type of massage may either use oils or lotions for skin application to help with the massage strokes.

If you are in your menopausal years and you are looking for ways to relieve you from menopausal symptoms you would probably turn to modern medicine but if you are looking towards the alternative solution then you should try Swedish massage because it is not only good for tensed muscles it is also good for relieving anxiety, depression and other psychological symptoms associated with menopause.

2. Next on the list is called deep tissue massage. This massage uses deep pressure targeted across the affected muscles to relieve stress and tension, which is important to regain normal movements that is movements without the pain and stiffness. It is especially recommended for those who are recovering from injuries like whiplash and sports injuries and those with postural problems.

3. If you find bathing in warm water soothing then you should try hot stone massage also known as warm stone massage that commonly uses basalt, a type of stone, basically because of its smoothness. It is one of the various types of massage that utilizes indigenous materials in administering the massage.

It is a good application immediately before performing traditional massage to help loosen up tensed muscles. You can also opt to have the stones run along your muscles instead of the therapists' hands if you find it more relaxing that way.

4. Pregnant women can also have massage sessions although they have to make sure that the massage therapist is well-trained in administering pre-natal massage since pregnancy is a special case to work on. Most pregnant women experience pains and discomfort and now that massage for them is possible they can experience less stress during their pregnancy.

5. Perhaps one of the massage therapies that have gained popularity recently is the aromatherapy massage. The therapeutic effects in this type of massage lies in the essential oils that the massage therapist uses for relaxation and to energize your mind and body.

There are other types of massage that uses techniques that you may never have seen or heard before. Trying other massage types will surely give your massage experience a new twist so explore and enjoy massages to help you deal with the stresses of everyday living.

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Pregnancy Massage - Benefits and Precautions

 

Are you pregnant? Are you stressed, cramped up or sleep-deprived? A pregnancy massage may be what you need. While almost everyone enjoys the relaxation of a good massage, during pregnancy the benefits are even greater.

Before you make your appointment, make sure you take care of safety first:

Precautions:

* Find a massage therapist that is specially trained and certified in pregnancy massage. They will be aware of all the following safety factors, but you should know them as well:

* If you are at risk of preterm labor, or have a blood clotting disorder, then do not attempt massage without first consulting your doctor. Some therapists may require doctor approval from all pregnant clients.

* Avoid massages during the first trimester of your pregnancy: The increased blood circulation during this time may cause to become dizzy, and may increase morning sickness.
* Make sure you are placed in a semi-reclining position, or lie on your side with lots of pillows for support.

* Do not allow excessive pressure on your ankles or the webbing between your thumb and index finger: these areas can induce early labor when sustained pressure is applied to them.
Once all the safety issues are taken care of, relax and enjoy! Most pregnancy massages are perfectly safe and will benefit both yourself and the growing child. Most importantly, they help you relax and will lower your stress level. That alone may alleviate many other discomforts. They may also:

Benefits:

* increase blood circulation,

* lower your heart rate,

* relieve muscle cramps and spasms,

* reduce lower back and neck pain,

* reduce swelling in hands and ankles

* provide a less painful and easier delivery!

When you go to your appointment, consider taking your partner with you. By learning what comforts you, they can help you relax via massage throughout your pregnancy and during labour. Make sure the therapist highlights all safety concerns to your partner and teaches them safe massage techniques.

So contact a qualified massage therapist today, and make that appointment that will help you relax and better enjoy this wonderful time of your life.

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Deep Tissue Massage & Fibromyalgia | Deep Massage

Learn how deep tissue massage can relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia from celebrity massage therapist Meagan Holub in this Howcast video.

Your Back Could Use A "Facial" Too!

A decadent spa treatment for your face, and on the flip side, your back. Your back needs a "facial" too! An area that is hard to reach and often neglected. Your Flip Flop Facial includes back and face "facial" as well as your choice of neck and shoulder work, or hands and feet. 

60 minutes - $90 

Call 36 Oaks Country Retreat to schedule an appointment to try this facial or any other of our relaxing spa treatments. 

(707) 447-8037

Connecting With Nature is an Intelligent, Healthy Lifestyle Choice

This is a recommendation I regularly give to patients, especially if they're feeling chronically stressed or anxious. It's a simple step, yet so powerful. It's getting outside and connecting with nature!

This may seem like a peculiar "health and happiness" recommendation to make! But, this was a vital component when I needed to re-create overall balance, happiness and health in my life following a very stressful period. For me, the outdoors is one of the critical pieces to the puzzle. Regardless of where you live and what time of the year it is, I feel it's a necessary component of balanced living for all of us.

I don't believe we were intended to live in the captivity of our workplaces, cars, shopping malls and homes. We are part of nature - part of the entire ecosystem. In my opinion, we need to stay connected to it in order to achieve overall balance. Personally, I thrive when I get outside every single day. Easier said than done when it's insanely cold and miserable out!

I'd say it's well worth my effort though. I notice that my thinking is clearer, I have more energy and a much better attitude when I do this. Fresh air is healing and energizing, as is natural light. Our bodies and minds don't function at their optimal levels in stale, indoor air and artificial lighting, day in and day out.

I do as much as I can outside: I take the kids out for play time, exercise and meals. We've done plenty of home school lessons while sitting outside. I do my morning rituals out on the dock in the spring through fall. I read outside when I get the chance. As often as possible I do my cardio exercise outside. I actually like the widely varying weather conditions that Michigan provides!

On days that it's too dangerous to exercise outside, or just too miserable to do much of anything outside, I have a quick little routine I do. I step out onto our deck, look up at the big pine trees next to me and take a few deep breaths of fresh air as I do some nice lengthening stretches. I look up at the sky, look out at the lake... take another deep breath as I appreciate all the natural beauty. Then I run inside! I can even recall a couple times when I just opened the window to do this routine. Must have been pretty cold!

In those glorious spring, summer and fall months, the benefits of the outdoors are obvious. Sunshine offers the healing benefits of light itself, as well as vitamin D. We also tend to exercise and stay more active during these months. We eat outside, work outside and play outside. Fair weather fans, we are! The crisp air of winter has a unique blessing of its own - not much else can invigorate you so quickly! Plus, frozen nostrils just remind you how alive you are, don't they?!

Action Step:

Make the effort to get outside and connect with nature every single day. If (you think) your only chance to get outside is while you're rushing to and from your car during your busy routine, then allow at least 30 extra seconds in your routine to stop the craziness and connect with nature in some small way. Look up at a tree, listen to the birds, feel the breeze or smell a flower.

Another one of my "but-I'm-so-busy" favorites is to crack the window in the car while sitting at a stop light and just look around you at the sky and the trees. Yes, I'm still paying attention to the traffic conditions! The sky is different every single day - even when it's gray! Take some deep breaths and soak it all in.

You are becoming a fully balanced, completely healthy human being! Enjoy the process!

Until next time, Be Happy, Be Well and Smile!

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