Handling The Holidays And Saying No To Stress

It’s time to deck the halls and dig out the tinsel. But amidst the decorating, gift buying, and constant backdrop of holiday carols, can you honestly say that you don’t want to hop off the holiday train every once in a while for a break?

If you do, you’re not alone. In fact, according to a poll conducted by the American Psychological Association, approximately 61% of respondents reported frequent feelings of stress during the season, with another 68% reporting feelings of fatigue.

So, how can you break down your holiday strategy amongst such widespread anxiety?

Naming and Reclaiming Your Feelings

First and foremost, owning up to your not-so-positive feelings as you make your way through the holly-jolly months can make a world of difference.

Then, identify the source of said stress or anxiety. Are you worried about your current budget? Sweating over inevitable familial confrontations? Stuck in a world of decisions over gifts that you want to be perfect? 

Start by naming and reclaiming your feelings. After all, you can only make a change once you recognize there is a change that needs to be made.

Merry and … Me.

Once you’ve taken a moment to catch your breath and recognize your feelings for what they are, it’s time to give yourself permission to give back to yourself, and there’s nothing quite as effective as physical outlets for relaxation.

With stress manifesting in such bodily ways as headaches, sleep deprivation, tension, and more, scheduling a massage or facial is guaranteed to eliminate certain symptoms and restore your ability to take on the holidays with renewed gusto.

Sometimes, a little “me-time” is all it takes to keep you merry and bright.

How It Works

Massages are a well-rounded means of tackling stress. Not only can they decrease cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure, according to the American Massage Therapy Association, but they also release endorphins in your body and are used to treat depression and chronic pain.

What’s more? Facials can more or less achieve the same results. In fact, much like massages, facials stimulate your body’s sympathetic nervous system, thereby reducing physiological distress and uplifting your mood.

With solutions like these, who wouldn’t want to schedule an appointment in the midst of the holiday chaos?

So, if you’re ready to reinvigorate yourself and reincorporate relaxation to your holiday season, contact Alpha School of Massage. We’ll get you out and ready to share in the holiday joy again in no time — simply call (904) 389-9117 today to schedule your appointment!

Wading Into The Waters of Post-Massage Care

Post-massage soreness or nausea can really rain on your parade after you’ve spent the better part of an hour getting relaxed. But any discomfort you may experience merely becomes water under the bridge when you indulge in one simple action after your appointment: drinking water.

After all, massages are designed to open the flood gates of your circulatory system and flush out all of the remaining toxins that were trapped in your tight, constricted muscles. This is because, when your muscles become tense with stress, your body’s natural pathways and metabolic processes become gradually clogged and unable to move toxins out to the kidneys on their own.

But when you blow off some steam, the muscles relax, and all of your systems regain momentum. By drinking water, you essentially give a boost to the turning tide of toxins and are thus able to cleanse your entire body much more efficiently.

Additionally, drinking water works much in the same way as it pertains to lactic acid in your muscles. That is, massages break up the lactic acid stored in your muscles following particular types of strain (such as stress or exercise-related exertion). But once the lactic acid is kneaded thoroughly out of your muscles, all the fluids in your body are but a drop in the ocean, and you might be left with soreness that you hadn’t expected from lying on a table for a massage.

But by drinking water, you can diffuse the lactic acid from your muscles more quickly, thus alleviating your soreness and cleansing your body of the acid in the same manner as you do the toxins.

In all, keeping water on hand following your massage isn’t simply a matter of basic hydration — it’s how you can refresh and rejuvenate both your circulatory and immune systems with a greater impact. After all, who wouldn’t want to stay afloat in the blissful post-massage state of relaxation?

So if you’re ready to dive into tranquility and experience the many benefits of massage for yourself, then simply grab a cold water bottle and book an appointment with Alpha School of Massage by calling (904) 389-9117 today! Learn to relax with us.