Express Your Feelings

As economic struggles continue, we will all be more needy, and requiring much healing. We will be turning to each other for emotional, hands-on support, and appreciation... spreading ourselves even thinner.

As kids of aging parents, we need outlets of our own, to share, receive, and give advice to each other, where we are not judged as to our feelings, or decisions. A safe place, where, expressing a thought or episode, to help our healing process, and others, is what I hope kids of aging parents can be.

How Much Water?

The debate continues. How much water should we drink in a day?

Like the fazes of "do we take tonsils out, or leave them in", the medical profession studies, and debates, on a healthy water intake (and temperature) for the average person.

Sport Medicine Drs. may very well feel differently than Family Med.Docs.

If you're thinking of stepping up, or down, the amount of water you drink, there's scads of Internet info, of course. Remember, to target your age, activity, etc. when doing this research.

It's an idea to ask a trusted health care provider, or trainer their opinions. If you have any kind of health history involving any kidney disease, or medications that might be affected by the amount of water you drink, or, when you drink it, or you're just really starting to get into this, maybe including a work-out regime, always ask your Dr.

So, you've researched, and decided to start drinking more water, even as much as 8 glasses a day. How do you do that when you're really "not a water drinker"?

Some think you actually have to stand there, and start your day with a huge glass of water every morning. There, "that's one"! You actually don't have to plug your nose and down all that water at once.

Like anything else you decide to add to your health and fitness plans, working it slowly into your daily routine is the route to go.

Fill up a water bottle. When you're at home, keep it in the room you spend most of your time in, the kitchen or office. At work, keep it close to you as well. Every once in a while, just take a little sip. When it's empty, fill it up. Funny thing about water, it seems the more you drink, the more you want to drink.

It may take you 2 weeks to finish that 1 bottle in a day. That's ok, no pressure. You're still drinking more that you did, and conditioning your body to having and wanting the extra water.

You'll see, it'll work.

Let the Sunshine In

The hormone melatonin (which is higher in the evening, to induce sleep, and lower in the morning when the light comes in), responds to the amount of light you receive through your eyes.

With the decrease of light in the winter, our bodies maintain a higher level of melatonin throughout the day, which is why many of us feel tired and get moody during winter days, our bodies think we should be sleeping!

Don't be afraid to leave the sunglasses off for a while and let the natural light in. Take a walk, in the fresh air, and, leave your sunglasses off to get as much light through as possible.

Putting a Spring in Your Step?

If, indeed, Spring has finally sprung, we're all more than anxious to get out, walking, jogging, running... back on track with our outdoor exercise routines.

Hopefully, for those who haven't quite kept up their steady workouts over the winter as avidly as they had hoped, the progression, of walking, to jogging, to running, is something they will take into consideration to prevent injury, and to ensure a safe re-entry into their work -out schedule.

Getting Massage is one great way to help your body prepare, and continue to safeguard yourself against injury.

Remember, Massage is something you can do, for yourself (or treat friends and family) all year long, to enhance your feel-good, fitness regime.

Can Massage Soothe Your Troubles Away?

"Many people tend to look on massage as a luxury found only in upscale health clubs. But massage is a great tool, a combination of art and science, it can have a major impact on tension, insomnia, and headaches." Says DOCTOR GIFFORD-JONES's article in the Toronto Sun Dec.16/07.

He adds, "research shows Massage fosters a positive emotional reaction.

But there's more to massage than the touch of well-trained hands. Massage decreases stress hormones, enhances the production of endorphins, (the body's natural painkillers), and improves circulation.

Besides, all this, it makes you feel good!"

Communication

One dictionary meaning of the word communication is: the successful conveying or sharing of feelings and ideas. One of the best way to do this is through touch. It is truly a universal language that we rely on in business, and in every social aspect of our lives.

Body Language by Julius Fast

is not a new book, but I have found it a good manual for getting into the language of reading people, their moods, attitudes, and feelings.

Being aware of this is a priority in any hands-on treatments. You have to keep an open mind, and most importantly remember, that, like yourself, people can not always show their best side all the time. You as the therapist can't show that to your clients, but, if they're having a bad day, and you sense an edge of some kind, step back, take a good look, and feel the mood of the person.

Body work can be a mutual exchange, and together your goal is to give the client your best. Treat them for what THEY need, not just for what YOU think they need. By the way... that's not always as easy as you think.

Massage Gift Certificates for Mom!

Mother's Day is closer than you think!

A soothing Massage to enhance good health and relaxation, is ALWAYS a welcomed gift for the Mother's Day recipient in your life. (Or anyone for that matter)!

You can e-mail me here for more info

Don't be SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder "SAD", has many symptoms, and gets worse in the winter months when we have less exposure to sunlight.

Simply, the production of the hormone melatonin (which is higher in the evening, to induce sleep, and lower in the morning when the light comes in), responds to the amount of light you receive through your eyes.

With the decrease of light in the winter, your body maintains a higher level of melatonin throughout the day, which is why many of us feel tired and get moody during winter days, our bodies think we should be sleeping!

Some of us are affected more than others. Ways you can help yourself through this period is to make sure you drink plenty of water, exercise, watch your diet. Add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, researched to naturally help alleviate depression.

Get out into the natural light as much as possible. On a sunny day, walk, take in the fresh air, and, leave your sunglasses off to get as much light through as possible.

Serotonin is another hormone produced by the body. Widely known as the feel-good hormone, or the body's self made tranquilizer. The more you can produce, the more you can relieve your symptoms of SAD.

Medical research has shown a rise in serotonin levels (by testing saliva) in individuals after Massage, therefore, lowering stress, and leaving you with that feel-good feeling!

So, inviting Massage into your office will not only rejuvenate and raise your staff morale. It will also be motivating to their work, and home environment.