Stress Stress Stress

Whenever someone comes into my studio, the first thing I ask is how they're feeling. 9 times out of 10, the answer is "Stressed."

Job stress, money stress, relationship stress...even something seemingly minor like traffic stress, all have impacts on our health.



We've grown to think that stress is just something we have to deal with in life, and to some degree that's true. There's no way to stop having to be concerned about money, relationships and children are work, and traffic is out of our control. But what we can do is focus on how we cope with the stresses of life, and how much of an impact stress has on our health, in both the short and longterm.


How stressed are you?

A list of 50 common signs and symptoms of stress can be found on the American Institute of Stress website. You might be surprised at how many symptoms you have, such as jaw-clenching, frequent colds, forgetfulness, weight loss or gain, fatigue.

How much of an impact is stress having on longterm health? Medical research is discovering more and more connections to the most life-threatening diseases and issues we face such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, obesity, and depression. Stress has become known as The Silent Killer.

So what do we do with our stress? There are many things we can do to cope with stress and reduce its impact.

Meditation and deep breathing
Exercise
Aromatherapy
Yoga
Healthy eating
Social support
Counseling

and, of course, MASSAGE THERAPY!


In session work, I talk a lot about stress and how to manage it, and work with clients to develop a plan of attack. Self-care is a very important part in getting the most from regular massage therapy, and I always try to send clients away with some suggestions on how to care for themselves between sessions.

So...are you stressed? How many of those 50 signs and symptoms did you find yourself recognizing? Let's start developing your plan of attack today!