Periodically, people decide to set some new goals to improve their lives. The next time you decide to make some changes in your life, consider this: If you want to accomplish the goals you set for yourself, make your first step to define clearly the purpose and the personal reward of each goal.

It’s pretty easy to make a list of things you’d like to see happen in your life. To see these goals through to a result, you need to have your focus on the personal reward you’ll experience upon completion. The daily demands of life can provide plenty of distractions to any well-intentioned goal. The missing ingredient to success is often that strong vision of the reward that makes it all worthwhile for you.

When you skip this step, it’s like having a road map to a wonderful destination and no vehicle to take you there. When you’ve clearly defined why you are taking the trip- and you keep that purpose in mind every day of your journey– then you’ll find it much easier to reach your destination.

So, enjoy your “journey” and recognize that making your health and well-being a priority is vital to a smooth trip! See you along the way.
 

Four Reasons to Get a Massage

Any therapist who’s had the pleasure of watching a client’s health and vitality improve through regular massage sessions would love to have everyone understand the benefits available to them from bodywork. Here are a few key points that should help you appreciate how regular massage can help you have a healthier life. Massage helps to support your health- When you really take time to evaluate that’s important in your life, it’s a good bet you’ll place your health near the top of the list. After all, what will you be able to do without it? Let’s start with the fact that a full-body massage contributes to the proper function of your entire body. In attempting to remain healthy, your body’s systems are performing functions constantly. The pressure and motion of the massage strokes assist in virtually all aspects of these functions. For instance, the nutrients that provide sustenance to the trillions of cells throughout your body- as well as the outgoing cellular waste- can be processed more efficiently with the aid of massage. Getting a clear understanding of this concept should help you to see how other massage benefits are accomplished. Massage reduces stress- This one fact should inspire everyone to get massage regularly. Imaging your life with less stress! Considering stress is responsible for most illnesses (not to mention those tense muscles), alleviating stress from your life can make a major difference in every aspect of your health and attitude. Massage addresses the source of the problems- One of the tenets of complementary healthcare is that, given the proper tools, your body will heal itself. Just think of how many of life’s complaints are caused by an imbalance in your body- and massage helps to restore that state of balance. How do we know massage actually assists in this re- balancing act? Some of the outcomes measured during massage studies- changes in hormone levels, blood pressure, etc.- are of various functions your body regulates. When these studies show an improvement in these levels, it offers measurable proof of the positive changes available through massage. Most would agree it’s preferable when you can employ natural means (like massage) to help your body correct these functions. A massage makes you feel better- It’s great to know more about how massage contributes to improved health. After all, we all want to be as healthy as possible. But there’s something special about taking an hour or so out of your busy life just to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Anyone who remembers how they felt at the end of a good massage session will tell you it’s another great reason for making massage a regular part of your life. While you decide what important steps you’ll make to improve your life, be sure to make your massages a part of your plan!

Water Works

“Besides decreasing headaches, heartburn, constipation, fatigue and kidney stones, getting your fair share of water each day may help prevent serious illnesses including heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and asthma. One study at the University of Loma Linda, California showed that people who drink five or more glasses of water every day cut their risk of suffering a fatal heart attack in half. Researchers believe because water unlike other beverages, is absorbed immediately into the bloodstream, it thins the blood and reduces clot risk. This also helps moderate blood pressure because it’s easier for the heart to pump thinner rather than thicker blood. Furthermore, researchers at Harvard reported men who drank six cups of water daily reduced bladder cancer risk by 50 percent. Other studies indicate that high water intake also curbs the risk of breast and colon cancers. And even asthma sufferers have reason to gulp it down. A University of Buffalo study revealed dehydration reduces lung function and triggers bronchial spasms, especially while exercising.” -Massage & Bodywork, Aug, Sep 2003

I’ve been wondering…

Q: What can I do to get even better results from my massage appointments?   A: Massage should be helping you to make positive changes. During and after a massage are good times to make yourself more aware of your current condition and what you can do between sessions to support those changes. If massage helps you to relax and de-stress, you should see what areas of your life are creating any tension and stress. Is it anything you can lessen or eliminate from your life? Similarly, if you discovered during your massage a tight area (such as lower back or neck and shoulders), see if you can spot what is causing the tightness. It may be the way you sit or lift, or possibly tensing your shoulders has become a habit in certain circumstances. You can help your body in its effort to cleanse itself (internally) by drinking plenty of pure water after a massage session. This is a simple step that can do a lot for your health. The content of this newsletter is not intended to replace professional medical advice. If you’re ill, please consult a physician.