As a brief overview, there are  six distinct schools/branches of Yoga: Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Tantra Yoga. The emphasis of each branch may vary, but each branch contains a set of structured asanas (postures), which are aimed at keeping your mind and body in balance. You can select any of these depending on your needs and the desired end result. For people who go deeper into Yogic practice, it means finding their path to inner peace. That is the ultimate purpose of Yoga.

I was introduced to Yoga by a friend of mine. The real reason I agreed to go with her, was because we both figured we’d give each other company and motivate each other to not miss the classes. Since I had never practiced or attended any Yoga classes, the first few classes were a little tough for me. With time and regular practice I got better and have been enjoying the benefits of Yoga.

Talking of the benefits-The combination of Yogic asanas and meditation has helped with my routine stress pains, from headaches to neck pains. I feel the increase in my flexibility, stamina and body strength. With practice I have been able to regulate my breathing and make full use of the oxygen, which has helped me clear my mind. Needless to say I have been able to handle stress and tension better. Making Yoga a routine part of my life has enabled me to maintain a fit body, controlled mind and lead a harmonious life.

I have made Yoga my way of life, are you ready to take that step? Don’t miss the opportunity to bask in the benefits offered by Yoga.

By,
Mary-Ann Roche

By,
Mary-Ann Roche

There are many forms of guided relaxation techniques available to each one of us and it’s simply a matter of find the method that best suits us.

How much do you really suffer stress?

Well maybe you don’t really think you suffer from stress but let’s see. Do you jump in your car or catch the train or the bus to get to work?  Or are you lucky enough to live around the corner from your workplace and you can simply stroll into work? If you are like most people the daily commute to work can often be a stress.  what if you are a Mum with litte ones at home, all needing your attention and you not getting enough sleep!  What about the stress of medical bills, or phone bills or electricity bills.  And what about the new stress of trying to find work in a world where things have become so difficult?

If you arent suffering any form of stress then to be honest I would really like to hear from you!  Let me know where you live, and I am moving there lol.

Learning to Relax

A lot of us actually find relaxing difficult, as we rarely give ourselves permission to just be.  Just to sit and listen to soft music, or lie on the couch for ten minutes  without interruption.  Close your eyes and allow your mind to wander and thoughts to come in and out. Can you actually just allow yourself this quiet time? If you try to do this every day after a while your mind and body will learn to relax.  Welcome to the world of guided relaxation!

Can you reduce stress?

Realizing and understanding your stress is the key. When you tap into what your stresses are, you can then find the resources you need to lead you to guided relaxation.  It’s generally not a one size fits all theory. Firstly before looking out its probably important to look within. Stilling yourself and finding peace within you comes first.

Another important factor in reducing stress is the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate.  Our world is so pressure filled and it sometimes feels that there aren’t enough hours in the day to catch up on rest and relaxation.  By pushing yourself too hard and solving problems and running around you are not allowing yourself enough time for the mind and body to relax.

External relaxation is often found in the form of yoga.  It is a self-teaching exercise and you learn to stretch your muscles and joints which helps in relieving overall tension.

There are so many great books and CD’s about yoga on the net.  Sounds True is a Company I can recommend and they are currently offering a discount on their yoga products:

There is also a form of yoga referred to as Nidra Yoga which is a form of yoga that allows you to melt away the tensions and pressures of everyday life while at the same time repairing and recharging your mind and body, leaving you refreshed and relaxed.

Finding material that guides you to relaxation:

To get the information  you need to get started on learning about relaxation, you can find a wealth of resources online. Books videos, mp3′s and courses – all there for you to choose from.  In fact you will find a great source of soothing relaxation music at music source.

If you know you are suffering stress, then don’t wait to do something about it!  Stress is a hidden danger, bad for your help and can kill you slowly if you don’t start eliminating it from your life. It can tend to take over and control your life in so many ways.

Begin by looking at the stress you are suffering, make a list of those things you would like to undertake in the form of guided relaxation and DO IT!

By

MaryAnn Roche.

The stress of gaining income, providing for a family, getting to work everyday in peak hour traffic, the stress of studying at school, at University, the stress of being a young girl in a society where you are accepted if you are thin and pretty, the list of stress just goes on and on.

I was just talking to my daughter earlier today about stress and explaining to her that although this level of stress is everywhere, there is another stress that people tend to not acknowledge or not even be aware of.  I am referring to the stress we place on ourselves everyday.  It is almost what I call an internal stress that we place  upon ourselves which to me can often be worse than the external stress we all have to live with everyday.

The stress we place on ourselves in the workplace – is my work up to standard, am I working hard enough everyday, will I get a promotion, am I earning enough money. As a parent  we place enormous stress upon ourselves, are we a good parent, am I teaching my children the right thing, what if I get this parenting thing all wrong, and so it goes.

I think external stress is much easier to deal with if perhaps we can firstly relieve the pressure a little but reducing our internal stress.  One of the most effective ways to do this, in my opinion, is through meditation.

I am a firm believer in meditation and truly believe it calms and stills our mind, and brings our mind to rest.  Sure the external stress still goes on, but taking that twenty minutes or so out of our day, to quieten our mind and relax our body, helps us cope with those external pressures much easier.  It also allows us to know what external stress  is really worth worrying about.

I find that if we can just allow ourselves some quiet me time on a daily basis, to do just  a very simple uncomplicated meditation, our overall functioning is greatly improved. It helps us to be better partners, daughters, sons, parents and so on.

I genuinely believe we can quiet down our lives, or simplify our lives and eliminate stress for our daily existance.

By

MaryAnn Roche

In a fast pacedworld where everything keeps accelerating and becoming more complicated, it is important to deepen your meditation experience.

With regular practise you will find you will be able to go deeper into meditation without too much effort.

As you practise, you will become more disciplined at dealing with distractions and achieve a certain depth of meditation in a shorter period of time. If you practise meditation for just 20 minutes per day, you will discover that your meditation experience will become deeper and you will become more centered.

Deepening Your Experience

You may be wondering what it means to deepen your meditation experience. It’s definitely a topic that is difficult to sum up in words. It is similar to talking about how to deepen and intensify their ;ove. If you have been in love you will know in your heart how it feels to experience the depth of such emotion. The same is true when you meditate, you will very quickly know what it feels like when your meditation experience deepens.

Tactics For Deepening Your Meditation Experience

If you want to go beyond regular practice to deepen your meditation skills, you can try other tactics.

Consider these suggestions as you deepen your meditation experience:

 1. Focus.

A big part of deepening your experience is working on improving your focus. Find something that works for you.

* Begin by experiencing eyes open meditation. Meditate with a small focal point and don’t let your gaze go astray during your session. You can also try eyes open meditation without the need for a focal point; this may help you to keep your focus within.
 

 2. Your breath.

Your breath is also a part of your focus. It is how you break up your life into a series of moments. Take a moment to breathe in the good and a moment to exhale the not so good. In order to deepen your meditation experience, experiment with various breathing techniques.

* Work on the length of your breaths. Some people decide to work with their moods when they work on breath length. It’s a way to just go with how you feel, instead of deciding on a set pattern of breathing.

* Use a mantra. There are many mantras to choose from or you can even create your own depending on how you feel at the time or what you like.

 3. Your posture.

Your posture also has an impact on how deep your meditation experience will go. Choose a position that’s comfortable for you.

* During sitting meditation, it’s always a good idea to maintain good posture. This means: Don’t slouch! The location of your legs usually doesn’t matter as much.

* If you maintain a good posture without hunching over, you tend to maintain your alertness and you’ll be less likely to fall asleep.

Remember your goal is to remain in the present moment and not simply to relax.

Keep Up Your meditation exprience daily.  Tweak and fine tune all aspects of your meditation experience however I find if you simply practise daily, your meditation experience will naturally evolve the way it was intended.

BY

MaryAnn Roche

Are mornings the the most difficult part of your day? Some of us find it tough to get going in the mornings no matter how much sleep we have had.

If you are a Mum and you need to get children dressed, fed and out the door with backpacks and school books, mornings can be very grueling. Now even if you aren’t a morning person, there are some strategies that you can engage that will help you feel motivated and looking forward to the day, as opposed to dreading it.

Try the following tips to help you cope with those challenging early mornings:

1. Get to bed on time the night before to ensure you are getting enough sleep. Of course, sometimes even if you have had your required sleep, you will still feel weary in the morning when you wake, but that may be due to the actual quality of sleep you are getting. This could be the very reasson why you can’t get up with a smile on your face in the mornings. So get to bed on time for a week and monitor yourself in the mornings to determine if you feel any different.

2. Try waking up earlier, I know its the last thing you want to do but this might give you a little more time in the mornings to get organised. If you’re trying to squeeze every possible moment of sleep into your schedule, when you do get up you have to madly rush around, which is too stressful first thing in the morning. Much better to wake up and allow yourself a very quiet, calm moments before your feet hit the floor! Enjoy the sunrise while you have a leisurely cup of coffee, before the rush begins.

3. Preparation. Get organised for the morning the night before. Do whatever you can the night before to make your mornings easily and less stressful.Make sure your keys are in the usual spot, make the lunches and organise the backpacks, and have everyone’s clothes laid out. That way when you wake in the morning there is much less to be stressed about!

4. Turn some music on. My music teacher always taught me to make sure I had music in the house with my children. Nice relaxing music in the morning can be a beautiful way to start your day. It can ease you gently into the day whilst keeping you calm, even if you are busy! Enjoying these first few moments that you’re awake can make a massive difference to your entire day.

5. Meditate. Meditation is great for calming your life down or slowing your life down. It allows you to center yourself and go back to a state of peacefulness which in turn can carry you throughout your day. I would recommend though that you mediate in an upright position so you’re not tempted to fall back asleep.

6. Try to develop a positive mindset. If you have a tendency to be grumpy in the morning, make a conscious decision to start your day in a positive way. Try to imagine the wonderful things that may come your way today. If you have something not so pleasant that you have to face then try to focus on all other aspects of your day which are positive.

7. Be thankful. Start your day by giving thanks for everything you have in your life. Being grateful sets the tone for the day.

If mornings just arent your thing, try to make them easier on yourself and others by remembering to use these strategies and I think you will be surprised at the difference they will make!.

By

MaryAnn Roche.

If you are subjected to these stressors on a daily basis, you simply must implement ways to reduce the amount of stress you have to cope with.

In reducing your exposure to stress, you will become more productive in your chosen occupation. 

Medical Care Professions

Doctors, nurses, social workers, or medical assistants have particularly stressful jobs. The nature of the job in itself is quite difficult, given that the health and well-being of others are at stake,  and there is always that added pressure of your action potentially resulting in a negative impact to one’s health. Effectively. this means there is no room for error, making these occupations ones with especially high stress levels.

To learn tp deal with stress you must first identify its source, in order to find the appropriate coping mechanism to employ. If a Doctor or other medical professional is able to do this, it certainly reduces the possibility of making what could be, a fatal mistake in their work. 

Law Enforcement Jobs

As with the medical profession, there is undoubtly an enormous amount of stress in law enforcement. It is, after all, their responsibility to protect the community and maintain peace and order.The amount of personal risk can be enormous as law enforcement officers are forced to put themselves in extremely dangerous and highly stressful situations. 

You can reduce stress in your profession by giving yourself timely breaks which allows the body and mind to recuperate and rejuvinate. As law enforcers typically have a lot of work on their plate, having proper time management and organizational skills will also assist in dealing with stress.

Teaching Professions

While many enjoy the teaching profession, often people in this field will tell you that there is a high level of stress involved, as they deal with many children who can be difficult. Inner city teachers find their jobs particularly stressful due to high levels of crime in the area and often the children they are teaching have been exposed to violence and crime, and as a result do sometimes have behavioral problems that a teacher must also cope with, in addition to actually educating the child. Teachers are also often under close scrutiny by the community at large.

Teachers can deal with these stressors by trying these strategies:

• Try to be patient and calm, particularly with those students who are more difficult than others.  Perhaps over time with patience, you can develop a deeper emotional relationship with these children.
• Set realistic goals. When you aim to teach your students something, understand not every child will learn at the same pace. Some will take longer than others, so your schedule to have something in particular taught in one day may well blow out to two days.  Rather than get frustrated, try to factor this into your planning from the outset.

 
• Take care of yourself, whether physically or mentally.

Jobs Involving Sales

Sales roles can be very stressful as your livelihood is often dependent upon your ability to produce sales. Jobs involving sales therefore require you to meet high levels of standards and often require you to deal with the public and their demands. Since most of the stress involved in this job is associated with the results, learn how to set your goal and then forget it. Get on with using your skills and creativity to sell the service or product in your own unique way. Nobody likes a salesman with a hard sell approach and if you are constantly worried about meeting your target then you may well become one of these salesman and thwart your efforts in the process! 

Telecommuting Jobs

Can be a stressful occupation, what with having to meet deadlines, to taking care of multiple clients and their inquiries. One way to reduce stress in this instance is to examine ways in which you can become more organised. Organise your day in such a way that you can accomplish what you set out to do, however with proper breaks built into your day so that stress if reduced. Make sure in this type of occupation, that distractions are kept to a minimum as these impact greatly on your ability to produce, and hence, cause more stress.

Whenever you feel stressed out, give yourself a break and do some deep breathing. Try to slow down, take 20 minutes out of your day to meditate, and you will amazed at how less stressful you will be. Bottom line is the lessed stressed you are in the workplace the more productive you are.

By MaryAnn Roche

If what I am about to explain sounds like a typical evening at your place, then read on. The baby is on your hip, whilst you hurriedly put the Take Away out for dinner, the cat is throwing up on the bathroom mat, the hubby’s feet are up and TV on full-blast, and your teenager just angrily slammed his bedroom door because his washing is still on the line….

Sadly, this is not an exclusive club. However, the good news is that we don’t necessarily have to live this way. There are, in fact, things you can do to ease this stress and create a more harmonious home life so that you and your family can look forward to and enjoy being all home together.

A certain degree of stress is inherent as you deal with the varying phases of your precious-yes they are precious, family members. You must strive to uphold a core set of values and go with the flow to a degree. This ensures you can maintain a happy and healthy home.

There are some specific ways though that you can reduce stress, in turn creating harmony at home:

1. Be organized. Life can quickly become chaotic when you do not maintain organization. An organized home just flows, but disorganization will be full of ebbs and very little flow.

* A good tip is to start small, trying to organize the whole house at once becomes overwhelmingly difficult to achieve. Start small, one room at a time, and see how pleasing the task becomes.

2. Communicate. Your family will find it extremely beneficial to be actively working on communication skills. When you fail to do this effectively, you may not get what you want and may even lead to upsetting misunderstandings. Working on communication skills will in turn, allow all family members to feel loved and appreciated, create harmony and allow the household to run efficiently.

3. Always have your evening meal together. Everyone in your family likely has a full agenda of their own. You may even start to realize that you have no idea what’s going on with your spouse or child. When you make the time to have dinner together, you really start to relax and open up to each other, despite all having a busy lifestyle.

4. Enjoy each other’s company. It is important to schedule time to have fun together as a family, even starting with one night a week. This will take some advance planning, choosing an activity. You need to allow each family member a chance to pick an activity to their liking.

5. Show unconditional love, fill each other’s cup of love to the brim! Be sure to encourage unconditional love with your family. This leads to secure attachments and will in turn keep all of your family happy and stress-free.

* We all need to know that, when we make mistakes,which we all do at times,we have a loving family who will back us up and forgive us, no matter what.

6. Show support and go out of your way for your family members. It might not be your idea on a Friday night to go to your daughter’s ballet concert but just think of how she will feel when she sees your smiling face, knowing that she has your love and support. Express your love and support by really being there , no matter what or how difficult it seems. They can not read your mind, so just thinking about how much you love them is not enough!

7.Every family needs rules. Having a set of family rules will help with keeping organization, letting everyone know what is expected of them to create harmony for all.

* You will need to plan a family meeting to establish the house rules. Let everyone have a chance to participate and share his or her concerns. You will more than likely find a compromise that allows everyone a chance to feel happy and satisfied.

A home that is built on love will be happy and stress free. Don’t be too hard on yourself and others, and you will have the foundations for creating an excellent home life.

By MaryAnn Roche.

It’s that pounding in your chest, feeling like you cannot breathe and cannot catch your breath…you think you are suffering a heart attack!  YOU ARENT! All these are typical symptoms of an Anxiety attack. Millions of people throughout the world suffer from Anxiety.  Sometimes it is people you least suspect! It is believed that Anxiety is an inherited disorder. Think about your family for a moment, your parents may or may not show outward signs of it. Interestingly enough Anxiety is twice as common in females as it is in men. Sufferers of this disorder generally believe they are going crazy.

What Is Anxiety?

Imagine for a moment you were standing in front of a fast moving train unable to move, but all the while knowing and understanding the impact on not being able to do so.   Now imagine feeling like this several times a day and you begin to understand how it feels to suffer from an Anxiety Disorder. Anxiety is unseen, you do not know when you are going to suffer it and there simply is no warning. People who suffer anxiety experience paralyzing fear for no obvious reason and worse still, cannot see a way out of the fear.

What Causes Anxiety?

Everything and NOTHING and a patient rarely reports an event that triggered the attack. However having said that, when a sufferer revisits a situation or setting where an earlier attack happened, this could trigger another attack, as they are reminded of how frightening the first attack was. It’s a vicious cycle of fear with the overriding fear of an Anxiety attack/disorder sufferer is to suffer ANOTHER ATTACK!  Anxiety stems from your brain, and is a spontaneous trigger that sets off one’s “fight or flight” defense mechanism resulting in a full blown Anxiety attack. More often than not, Anxiety is brought about by stress from daily life. Mounting bills, work pressures, family issues, and other events can trigger this disorder and bring it to the surface.

Various Types Of Anxiety

Anxiety/Panic Disorder

This form of the disorder brings on sudden attacks that paralyze you with fear for no obvious reason. There are undoubtedly fundamental factors that cause these attacks; however, the sufferer often does not know what those are. Common symptoms are dizziness, light headedness, rapid breathing, pounding heart, tingling sensations in the hands and feet, fear of impending dread. Extremely treatable, the sufferer should seek assistance from a trained health care professional.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Commonly strikes when a sufferer is within a social setting and is very distressing. Activities such as attending University, going out for dinner and going to work are all difficult for the sufferer who often feels they are not welcome. They believe they are always judged by others and can experience trembling, feeling sick, inability to talk, sweating or blushing. Someone suffering Social Anxiety can become more and more upset prior to days leading up to a social event they have committed themselves to, and will be in an anxious frenzy by the time the event occurs. Often they will simply pull out of the social event just before it occurs.

How to overcome Anxiety

Understand and recognize you are having an Anxiety attack and that it will probably only last a few minutes. Focus on slow even breathing and try to redirect your THINKING to something else.

Final thoughts on Anxiety, understand however frightening it feels at the time, you can overcome your Anxiety disorder. To obtain expert advice on this condition simply Click Here!

By MaryAnn Roche.

Our children are one of the most important and precious people in our lives. We want the best for them and hope they strive to do well in all things. Children, just like adults, can develop motivational roadblocks that hold them back from achieving what they’re meant to do.

Since the inception of the Internet, television, video games, and social networking, motivating our children has gotten progressively more difficult. To have them complete schoolwork, do some chores around the house, get more involved with school activities, or even just go outside to get some fresh air can be a struggle.

Here are some easy ways to motivate your children:

1. Praise your child for their accomplishments.

When your child accomplishes something, no matter how big or small, be sure to express how proud you are of them. If they know that they’ve made you happy, they’re more apt to strive to make that happen again.

2. Avoid focusing on the negative.

We all make mistakes, so it’s much more productive not to harp on them. You’ll receive much better results by focusing on what your child does well rather than the few mistakes they may make.

3. Show pride in your child’s work.

Display a good grade or report card. Placing their work on the refrigerator door, believe it or not, still works wonders! When his accomplishments are proudly displayed, he’ll be motivated to achieve as much as he possibly can.

4. Brag.

Call a grandparent, aunt, or uncle and tell them about your child’s recent accomplishment. When your child sees that you take the time to make a special phone call because you’re so proud, it encourages them and boosts their confidence.

5. Use rewards.

Every child likes to be rewarded for good work. You can try things like a weekly allowance or a special treat, like a movie or ice cream, as a reward for good behavior. Whatever the reward, children will strive to do their best to obtain these special treats.

* This can be used for just about anything from a good grade to washing the family dog. Children enjoy being able to receive something tangible for a job well done.

6. Show sincere enthusiasm in the things your child enjoys.

As a child grows, his interests may change frequently. As a parent, it’s important that you keep up with your child’s likes and dislikes.

7. Sit down and talk with your child.

Find out why they’re interested in certain things and how you can help them with their activities. If you show sincerity and really listen to what they’re telling you, it’ll be a big motivating factor.

8. Don’t overwhelm your child with goals.

Naturally, we want our children to succeed, but sometimes we can overdo it. After the homework, chores, and after-school activities, children deserve time to just be children.

* If you give them some free time to do what they want, whether it be playing video games, watching television, or anything else they choose, it will keep them motivated to do other things as well.

Final thoughts on motivating your children

Children are each a unique individual and have different interests and goals in life. Though at times their motivation may waiver, we, as parents, will be there to point them in the right direction. Using these suggestions on how to motivate your children will make that process just a little bit easier!

By MaryAnn Roche.

Positive Thinking is not only beneficial for the health; it also affects the people around you as well. Negative thinking is more crippling than most people think. Read on to Stop Negative Thinking and enjoy the benefits of Positive Thinking instead!

“Think positive!” I’m sure you’ve had someone give you that advice before. Whenever you’re down and about to lose hope, your friends and family often tell you to keep your head up and move forward because things will work themselves out in the end.

What are the benefits of Positive Thinking?

Psychological studies have documented that people with a positive attitude in life live healthier lives. According to experts, having a positive mood is good for the morale. This enables to person to overcome adversities in life more efficiently compared to a pessimist. They are also able to reach their goal faster because of their perseverance and determination.

The American Psychological association released a journal linking the benefits of positive thinking to better overall health. The journal documents that the pessimistic respondents were more likely to become frail later in life.

Frailty in the journal was measure using weight loss, exhaustion, walking speed and grip strength. Although there was no concrete conclusion, psychologists say that having a positive outlook increases a person’s resources which helps them cope with stress and illnesses better.

The benefits of positive thinking are not only with health; it also affects the people around you as well. A person with a positive attitude is more likely able to cheer up a friend in need compared to a pessimistic individual. In some cases, having a positive attitude is infectious which brings balance and harmony in the workplace or at home.

How to Stop Negative Thinking

Negative thinking is more crippling than most people think. It not only affects a person emotionally but psychologically, socially and even physically as well. Eliminating negative thoughts is not as simple as saying to yourself “stop negative thinking!” Thankfully, there are techniques and tips developed by experts to help pessimists stop negative thinking.

The first step to stop negative thinking is to recognize that you are thinking negative thoughts. You won’t be able to stop a problem in its tracks if you can’t address it properly. You need to be self-aware whenever you feel any negative emotions like anger, sadness or frustration. Once you realize you are having negative thoughts, you can restrain yourself from having them.

Whenever you feel bad about something, you can rationalize why you feel that way. This is the second step in addressing your negative attitude. Why are you angry? Why are you sad? What makes you feel frustrated? Address the reasons and stop dwelling on it.

It may not be as easy as it sounds, but trust me, you’ll get there soon. You have to remember that some things are out of your control and it’s ok to feel sad or angry when something bad happens. The important thing is that you don’t let the feeling linger anymore than it should.

Find a hobby or an activity to distract your mind from thinking negative thoughts. A hobby that involves thinking is a good way to distract your mind; try solving jigsaw puzzles to help calm yourself.

Have a hobby that is as productive as possible. Set up a woodshop in your home, write or paint; it doesn’t matter whether you think you’re artistic enough or not. Instead of spending your free time sulking around the house, you can start creating works of art.

Final thoughts on Positive Thinking and Negative Thinking

Finally, focus on the positive instead of the negative. Instead of dwelling on the things you’ve lost, remind yourself of what you have in the present. Bad things happen to everyone, so does good things; count your blessings no matter how small it may seem.

Remember that good and bad times come and go – its called life! If you can train your brain to stop negative thinking quickly by using the above suggestions, you are well on the way to experiencing the benefits of Positive Thinking!

By MaryAnn Roche

Are you suffering from burnout? Whether it’s caused by work issues, stress at home, relationship challenges, or a combination of all them, it can cause a frightening feeling of hopelessness!

Burnout often causes a feeling of numbness and not knowing how to get your life headed back in the right direction.

Take heart – hope is not lost! There are some strategies you can utilize to overcome burnout, once and for all.

Try these techniques to get relief from burnout:

1. Don’t blame yourself.

Life is hectic and stressful, especially with all the intense demands placed on our shoulders. If you’re feeling burnt out, rather than blaming yourself, be proactive in getting back in the saddle so you can feel like yourself again.

* Remember, you’re in control of your destiny. Focus on what you can do, not what you think you should do.

2. Stop being so serious.

With the stress and responsibilities you carry on a daily basis, you may be in need of some plain ol’ silly time. Release your inhibitions and have some fun!

* Whether it be dancing in your living room or swinging on the swings at a local park, take some time to find your inner child again. This will help you let go of your current stress level, even if it’s just for a little while.

* Making time to have fun will give you a chance to refocus and get your life and priorities back to where they need to be.

3. Stay healthy.

It’s important to stay in peak physical condition when you’re under constant stress. Eat many servings of fruits and vegetables, drink large amounts of water, and exercise.

* Fit exercise into your busy schedule by making an appointment with yourself to exercise, and then keep your appointment!


4. Improve your time management skills.

You may be burnt out because you’re trying to fit a week’s worth of stuff into a single day. Unfortunately, that’s impossible! Learning how to budget the time in your day more effectively will relieve a lot of this time pressure and stress.

* Good time management will lessen the feeling of being overwhelmed, as well as enable you to have the time you need to do what you want to do.

5. Get enough sleep.

This allows your body to rest, rejuvenate, and start the upcoming day with more energy. You can also deal with stressful situations better when you’re alert and focused.

* If you adhere to the 8 hours per night rule, you’ll find yourself more focused, levelheaded, and patient.

Final Thoughts on Burnout and Stress

No matter how you may try to sugar coat it, modern life isn’t easy. It’s no wonder that sometimes we feel like we can’t juggle everything any more!

Although these feelings are normal from time to time, they can escalate out of control. Before we reach that point, it’s important to get our lives back in the right direction. These burnout relief strategies and tips will enable you to better handle every-day stresses so you can enjoy all the amazing gifts life has to offer!

Stress comes in all forms and from all directions, especially for families in these super busy, technologically advanced, yet tough economic times. However, even with the technology we’ve available to us, one of the biggest causes of stress in a family is lack of communication.

The unfortunate reality is that kids communicate with seemingly everyone but their family through texting, email, Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter. Nowadays it can be tough to get through to your kids, which makes it a challenge to strengthen your family’s bond.

Stress Relief by Getting Involved with Your Kids

One way to get more involved with your kids is to start communicating in a way that they’ll actually listen.

This may mean that you need to learn how to text, email and get on the social networks your kids are on. The idea is to be a source of support for your child, and that means you need to be an active player in their life, even if they push you away.

Even if you get active in your child’s life online, the best way to communicate with your kids is while they’re at home. Talk to them face to face and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You might be surprised at how they respond. At first it may seem awkward, but the more you do it, the easier communication becomes.

Communication with Your Spouse to Lessen Stress

If you’re lacking an open line of communication with your spouse, one reason may be that you’re not speaking each other’s love language or understanding their relating style. This means that you need to discover what your spouse responds to the best. Is it touch, the words you say, gifts, acts of service, or spending quality time together? Once you know how to show love to your spouse, show it abundantly!

Also, listen to your spouse’s feelings, as this will often give you ideas about how you can fill their love tank. If your spouse says something along the lines of “You never touch me anymore” or she wants to hold hands all the time, her love language is physical touch. If your spouse often uses the phrase “We never spend any time together,” and likes to just sit and talk, their love language is quality time.

Great Stress Relief – Spend Quality Time With Your Family

Another big stress on today’s family is not spending enough time together. This is most likely because everyone is so busily involved in other activities that you barely have time to yourself, let alone one another.

So, how can you make time to spend with your family?

1. Set aside at least one day out of each week and deem it family day or game night. Spending quality time with your family shows that you’re interested in what they’re doing and that you care about them. Often teens think that their parents don’t care about them because they’re never home, or they feel that their parents play a passive role in their lives. And because kids and teens often don’t spend quality time with their families, they go elsewhere to get the attention they crave. Unfortunately, elsewhere may not be a good place for your kids to be!

2. Ensure you make time for your spouse. Alone time is important for all marriages so you can continue to strengthen your relationship and explore one another’s dreams and desires for the family unit.

3. Make sure your family enjoys at least one meal together each day. Statistics show families that eat together, stay together. Children do better in school and the overall atmosphere in the home is simply happier when you make eating together a priority.

The Financial Burden and Related Stress

Financial problems are another cause of major stress in families today. Often, when the parents aren’t in control of their finances, their children suffer the same financial burdens later on in life.

As parents, you must teach your children financial responsibility from an early age. Get your little ones a piggy bank to help them learn about the importance of saving money. As they get older, include them in the budget planning and bill paying. Help them understand the concept of financial responsibility.

Children need to know that money must be earned and that your debit or credit card isn’t magically filled with money all the time.

To recap, The Top 5 Family Stress Relievers are:

1. Communicate by speaking directly to your family.

2. Learn what love language your children and spouse speaks.

3. Spend time quality time together as a family with a family day or family game night.

4. Sit down for at least one meal a day with each other.

5. Openly discuss your finances and financial situation with your family.

Incorporating these stress relief strategies into your family life will help you have a more open relationship with each family member. Plus, you’ll be able to relieve the stress and tension and replace it with joy, health, and happiness!

]]> http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1509/top-5-family-stress-relief-strategies/feed/ 1 http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1478/managing-stress-by-coping-with-change/ http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1478/managing-stress-by-coping-with-change/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:57:28 +0000 Maryann http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/?p=1478 Managing Stress by Coping with Change

Coping with change can be high on the stress inducing list!
We all live in our individual comfort zone and when change happens, especially beyond our control, it can be very difficult managing stress associated with that change.

Obviously the changes you like are easy to deal with and you might even look forward to it! What about the changes in life that aren’t so peachy? How do you handle those?

Life is constantly changing around us, in us, through us, and about us. It’s inevitable that there are going to be changes throughout life. Some will be good, some bad, and some indifferent. Some you like, some you hate, and some just don’t matter.

Managing Stress – lets take a look….

Let’s take a look at some of these common changes and the best ways to cope with them.

Moving

How about moving or transferring to another area? That can be a pretty big change that could cause a lot of stress.

The best way to cope with this situation is to look at it as a time to refresh and renew. I know this can be difficult sometimes, especially when you love the area you live in now. And, of course, you’ll miss all your friends, family, and familiar sites.

Moving away from people you love can be very stressful and difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! You can look at the big move as an opportunity to stretch your horizons and meet new people.

Your friends and family will still be there, and you’ll still be able to keep in touch with them on a regular basis. But you’ll also grow roots in other places, and you just might build even stronger friendships and relationships than you’ve ever imagined!

Job Loss

Job loss is on the forefront of almost every American’s mind right now as the economy declines more and more each day. This type of change can be very stressful, if you allow it to be. However, by looking at the situation differently, job loss doesn’t have to be stressful.

When you’re faced with job loss, try to think of it as a new opportunity to try something new or something you’ve always wanted to do.

Some ideas are:

* Take some evening classes to learn a new skill or trade.
* Make arts, crafts, or jewelry and sell it online or at craft fairs.
* Teach others what you know through tutoring or consulting.
* Start an online business.

The point is to take a step out of your comfort zone and see the many opportunities that lie before you.

Really Coping with Change….

Stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t easy though, is it? It does take effort and courage. When you’re stuck in your comfort zone, well, you’re just that – stuck. Who wants to be stuck? I don’t and I would venture to say that neither do you!

To get unstuck, take a step out of your comfort zone and look at other possibilities, instead of stressing over the changes that lie ahead.

Focus on the New Opportunities

There are always positive ways to look at things and when you train your minds to look at change as opportunity, instead of stressing out about it, you’ll be happier and healthier.

Here are a couple of other common life changes that tend to be stressful, but can be seen as an exciting, new opportunity:

* Unexpected Pregnancy -

An unexpected pregnancy obviously can cause stress financially, emotionally, physically and mentally. However, it’s a wonderful opportunity! An opportunity to love a child and to give life. A new opportunity to make some lifestyle changes or to give life to someone who can’t have children of their own through adoption, and so much more!

* Children Growing Up -

A child going off to college or moving away from home is a huge change that many find difficult to deal with. Once again, look at the opportunities available not only to you, but for your son or daughter as well. Maybe you’ll be able to downsize your home, saving you hundreds of dollars each month.

Or perhaps your bond with your partner and friends will grow and strengthen during this time. Not to mention the growth and experience your child is going to gain as they grow and mature out in the world on their own.

How you choose to handle a situation will determine how much stress you’re going to allow on yourself. You can either look at it as a new opportunity or a dreadful scenario. The choice is yours. But the sooner you begin to look at life changes as new opportunities, the sooner you’ll enjoy a less-stressed life!

Coping with change can be a daunting thing – I know! But just try these suggestions for managing stress and have a better day!

]]> http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1478/managing-stress-by-coping-with-change/feed/ 0 http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1459/lose-the-frown-how-to-get-out-of-a-bad-mood/ http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1459/lose-the-frown-how-to-get-out-of-a-bad-mood/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:30:19 +0000 Maryann http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/?p=1459 Lose the Frown, How To Get Out Of A Bad Mood

A bad mood is a great way to bring you – and everyone around you – down a dwindling spiral. So how do you feel better and get out of a bad mood?

Bad moods are the dumps. No one likes bad moods and even more so, no one wants to be around someone who’s feeling sour.

Get out of a bad mood and feel better now!

Just try out one of these simple ideas to turn your frown upside down:

1. Get dressed.

That’s right. Get up, take a shower, put on some nice clothes and gussy yourself up to the nines.

* Studies have shown that your mood has a lot to do with your self-image. How different do you think your self-image is between a just-rolled-out-of-bed look and a ready-to-hit-the-ground-running look?


* By getting dressed and doing what it takes to make yourself look good on the outside, you feel better on the inside. When you feel better on the inside, your mood changes significantly and you’re ready to face the day.

2. Get moving.

Exercise releases hormones that help alter your mood. Cleaning your space gets you moving and makes you feel better about your surroundings. It doesn’t really matter what you do; just get up, get out, and get moving.

* Many times your bad mood can be amplified by your lack of movement. Getting up and doing something, whether it’s exercising or even walking over to the nearest coffee shop, can give you a big mood boost.

3. Read a book.

Reading a book takes you to a different place and allows you to step into someone else’s shoes. Why not pick up a book by your favorite author and let them transport you out of your bad mood for an hour or so?

4. Meditate.

Deep breathing exercises and a focused mind can break you out of any sour mood. Remember back in grade school when you were taught to take deep breaths and count to 10 when you got angry? It was actually for a very good reason.

* When focusing on one thing and breathing deeply, our bodies tend to respond in a positive way by relaxing and releasing tension.

5. Hang out with friends.

What are friends for? Be around any of your good friends for any length of time and you’ll be snapped out of that bad mood so fast you won’t even know what hit you.

6. Laugh.

There’s no possible way that you can laugh and stay in a bad mood. It’s proven that your emotions follow your actions, which is why many therapists recommend taking action to cure things like anxiety and stress. Next time you’re in a bad mood, try laughing.

* I guarantee that you can’t stay in your bad mood after more than 5 minutes of continuous laughter!

7. Treat yourself.

Do something just for you. You deserve it anyway. The key is to just go a little overboard and do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do. Have fun with it and make it memorable.

* Go shopping for one of your favorite articles of clothing and splurge a little if you can afford it.


* Have a massage or spa treatment. Similar to the meditation, this is a great tool to relax and break you out of whatever might be dragging you down.


* If you’re short on funds, go dream shopping. Go to one of the most expensive stores around and try on clothes or go test drive your dream car. Give yourself a reason to get back into the swing of things and get rolling again.


* Get a hot fudge sundae with extra hot fudge.

Lots of Ways to Get Out Of a Bad Mood!

While there are many other ways to shake yourself out of a bad mood, these are a few great ways to start. Try some of them next time you’re feeling down.

Better yet, see how many of them you can make it through before your bad mood has completely vanished.

My guess is you might only make it to the second tip, then you’re just doing it because it’s fun! Feel better now and get out of that bad mood!

]]> http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1459/lose-the-frown-how-to-get-out-of-a-bad-mood/feed/ 0 http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1377/quick-top-5-work-stress-relief-strategies/ http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1377/quick-top-5-work-stress-relief-strategies/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:12:11 +0000 Maryann http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/?p=1377 Top 5 Work Stress Relief Strategies

One of the biggest sources of anxiety and fear is work stress and it usually falls into four categories:

* Work overload

* Difficult co-workers

* Demanding bosses

* Fear and uncertainty about these tough economic times

Don’t despair, there really are things you can do to relieve work stress. Most of them are easy enough you can start today and begin seeing results immediately.

Stress at Work – Overloaded And Overwhelmed

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your workload, or just occupational stress in general, the first step should be to examine your schedule. Maybe you can change your routine or rearrange your schedule so you have more time in the day to get the job done.

Perhaps there are some tasks you can eliminate or spend less time on. You can also try to delegate the work to others in your office or even outsource some work to freelancers online.

If you’re still feeling swamped, you’ll want to speak to your boss. Communication is the key to working things out and finding a way to lighten your load.

Co-Workers Who Don’t See Eye to Eye Equals Stress

There are always going to be difficult co-workers at every job. It’s something you’ll face no matter where you work. Even if there’s someone who is just a pain to deal with for one reason or another, you don’t have to let it stress you out.

If not, then I suggest killing the difficult co-worker with kindness. When you turn the other cheek, so to speak, the offender will usually back off eventually and leave you alone or better yet, befriend you. Either way you get the desired results.

A Boss Who Rules With An Iron Fist Equals more Stress

Okay, what do you do when your boss is demanding? Remember, your boss is your boss and it’s usually not wise to come across in a confrontational manner. However, you can try talking to them in a peaceful, non-confrontational tone.

However, if speaking your mind doesn’t seem to make your boss any less demanding, then you’ll have to let it roll off your back. Easier said than done, I know. But, it can be done with determination and effort.

So, what can you do to help relieve some of the stress and fear?

Questioning Your Future

Right now, probably the biggest cause of stress in the workplace is fear of uncertainty in these tough economic times. Even if you’ve done everything to ensure your position at your company, like increasing your value as an employee, there are still no guarantees in this economy.

One thing you can do is start preparing for the future. Perhaps you could start taking classes at your local community college to learn a new skill or trade.

You could also start building an online business. Even though the economy is struggling, online businesses are booming. If you make crafts or jewelry, or you’re artsy, you can start selling items on eBay or open an Etsy shop. There are many ways you can begin securing your future now. All it takes is a little research and planning.

Let it Go! Release Your Stress and Frustration

The best way to relieve work related stress is to work out regularly. Getting regular exercise helps relieve stress of any sort, but especially work related stress. If you don’t belong to a gym, begin working out at home. Going for brisk walks regularly also greatly reduces stress.

Top 5 Work Stress Relieving Strategies

1. Examine your schedule, delegate, outsource, or talk to your boss when you’re overloaded.

2. Talk to a difficult co-worker or kill them with kindness.

3. Communicate with your boss when he’s too demanding.

4. Prepare for the future when you fear losing your job.

5. Work out regularly at home or at the gym.

Stress has become a part of your everyday life, but it doesn’t have to control your life. By incorporating these work stress relief strategies, you can overcome the major causes of stress in your workplace in no time!

Today I return to my Stress and Anxiety series, with a question…..
Can Accupuncture reduce stress or does it promote stress?

Firstly, What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that involves inserting fine needles at very precise pressure points throughout the body. The needles stimulate the body’s natural healing processes in its energy system.

Health Benefits of Acupuncture

Accupuncture can relieve the physical symptoms of stress that tends to accumulate in the neck, shoulders, and back, causing pain and tension. Headaches are another physical complaint resulting from stress. People who are under high levels of stress often have high blood pressure.

Acupuncture can relieve physical symptoms, such as tense muscles, and even help to lower blood pressure. Acupuncture leaves the body feeling calm and relaxed. An added benefit is that it improves the circulation of the blood throughout the body.

How Does Stress Treatment with Accupuncture Work?

Acupuncturists believe that energy flows through the body system through channels called meridians. This energy is referred to as Qi or Chi.

Stress causes an imbalance in the body’s energy and causes it to flow improperly. The Qi can become blocked and stagnant. It must be unblocked and flow freely in order to restore harmonious balance to the body.

By stimulating the proper acupressure points, the Qi can flow freely, and thereby can reduce stress induced mental and physical symptoms.

So Is This Stress Treatment Safe?

Acupuncture is perfectly safe when performed by a licensed practitioner. Acupuncturists are trained in the proper methods of stress treatment and all instruments are sterilized to prevent any risk of infection.

The Food and Drug Administration approved non-toxic needles made for single use application just for use in acupuncture treatments. The majority of people who undergo acupuncture feel no pain at all. A small percentage may feel very minimal pain. Bleeding rarely occurs.

Stress Related Health Conditions

Regular acupuncture treatments can reduce stress, help heal stress related health conditions and improve the body’s immunity to defend against potential illnesses.

In fact, in some cases, acupuncture that is being used to treat one condition can actually help detect another, more severe illness that had not been previously identified.

In such cases, acupuncture aids in early diagnosis and treatment. In another capacity, acupuncture can serve as a form of preventive measure against illness by alleviating stress and strengthening the body.

Accupuncture Treatment Sessions

A typical acupuncture session may last for 30 to 60 minutes. The patient will become very relaxed during the treatment and may even fall asleep.

Regular acupuncture treatments can help strengthen your body so you’re better able to deal with the day-to-day stresses of life. Acupuncture can also leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

The Body and Mind Connection

Stress is a perfect example of the interrelated connection between the body and mind.

Remember, acupuncture is just one method to relieve stress. It’s also important to learn positive and productive ways to cope with stress on a daily basis, thereby making the stress work for you rather than against you.

Find your own combination of de-stressing methods that work for you, and use them often to enjoy a happier and healthier life. Stress is a natural part of life, but with our seemingly never-ending hectic lifestyles, we are more stressed out than ever!

There are various techniques you can use to relieve stress, such as yoga, meditation, massage therapy and more. You may want to try several different methods to reduce stress to find a method you feel most comfortable with. Read more about Stress Relief and Anxiety.

Chronic stress is harmful to your body, mind and spirit. As single mothers, or parent in general, you need to find positive ways to manage stress and anxiety so you can be healthy for both your children and yourself.

With a little bit of planning, help, and effort, you can juggle being both the parent and provider of your family.

Being a single parent may be common today, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Many single moms are experiencing dangerous levels of stress, and they don’t see any way around it.

Here are some tips to help Single Mothers Manage Stress:

1. Know your limits.

When a friend, co-worker, or family member asks something of you that you know you can’t do, say no. It may not make the other person happy, but knowing your limits can help you from being overworked unnecessarily.

* If you don’t respect your time, who else will?

2. Plan ahead.

The best thing you can do when you’re a single mom is to plan ahead. You’ll find that the simple things in life that often cause the most stress can be managed or outright eliminated when you plan ahead.

* Have everyone put out their clothes the night before and their shoes by the front door so getting the day started will be a breeze.

* Prepare meals in advance and freeze them until you’re ready to use them.

3. Involve the kids.

You can’t do everything by yourself, so get your kids involved in getting things done. Any help that your kids are able to contribute will save you a lot of time and stress each day, plus it’s teaching them the importance of responsibility and contributing to the family.


* Teach them age-appropriate tasks like cleaning their room, doing laundry, making the grocery list, planning meals, cooking, taking out the trash, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, and so on.

4. Make time for yourself.

Schedule at least 10 to 15 minutes just for you into each day. This time can even be for something simple, like painting your fingernails, taking a hot bath, or reading for pleasure.

* Your alone time will refresh and revive you!

5. Create a support system.

When you have people that you can turn to, you’ll be able to release stress in a positive way. When you need a bit of reinforcement, it helps to know you can pick up the phone and call in backup!

* Your support system might consist of family members and friends who are willing to listen to you vent or even help you around the house.

Manage Stress Now!

Your kids will only be small for a short time, and you don’t want to waste these years in a stressed out daze. Instead, take advantage of the here and now by incorporating these stress management tips into your life. It’s easier than you think!

These are all very simple, yet effective, ways to deal with the stress of being a single parent. These tips won’t do away with stress altogether, but they’ll help you manage it in a way that will allow you to get things done and enjoy your life and kids.

I hope all parents but especially single mothers can take real advantage of this simple advice – I would love you to manage stress today and really enjoy bringing up your kids!

I love a good massage to relieve my stress! How about you?
Now, be nice guys – Im suuure you do…lol but I am talking about massage that can relieve your stress (ok I hear you!)

A relaxing massage can take your cares, aches and pains away and today I want to discuss this great stress relief activity!

Massage Therapists will find this Invaluable – Click Here!

With today’s high-stress lifestyles and careers, massage therapy is one form of treatment many people are indulging in to help de-stress, relieve tension, or simply get some alone time full of pampering.

Massage therapy consists of several different techniques, including but not limited to:

* Pregnancy Massage
* Self Massage
* Swedish Massage
* Stone Massage
* Deep Tissue Massage
* Sports Massage
* Chair Massage
* Reflexology
* Geriatric Massage
* Energy Work
* Baby Massage

Couples Massage Secrets – Click Here!

The massage techniques typically used for de-stressing are deep tissue, Swedish, chair and stone.

Let’s take a look at these 4 ways to de-stress with massage:

1. Deep Tissue Massage.

Using many of the traditional massage techniques, deep tissue massage takes it one step further, getting into the deep tissue areas of your body.

* Once the skin and muscles are relaxed using classic massage, the therapist goes deeper into the tissues that join your body parts together, the underlying musculature and connective tissue called fascia.

* Deep tissue massage is also an excellent remedy for chronic muscular pain, injury rehabilitation, and reduction of pain caused by arthritis and tendonitis.

2. Swedish Massage.

Swedish massage is also known as the classic massage and was actually invented by a Dutch man. It involves five kinds of touch and is delivered to the soft tissues using the therapists hands, moisturized with massage oil or lotion.

* The lotion or oil serves two purposes. It reduces friction between the patient’s skin and the therapist’s hands and acts as an aromatherapy experience.

* Scents often evoke strong associations deeply wired into our brain, so using scented lotions can help you relax and thoroughly enjoy the massage experience. The therapist will often give a choice of scents, so choose one you find the most relaxing and pleasing.

Through kneading, rolling, vibration tapping and percussive movements, your blood will begin to circulate better. This sends more oxygen to your muscles and helps them relax.

* Swedish massage will also help hasten healing of injuries, reduce swelling and help dissolve deep scar tissue adhesions.

3. Chair Massage.

Chair massage has fast become a popular way to de-stress while shopping in a mall or traveling by air. Chair massage therapists can also often be found at your local health food store.

* A chair massage therapist doesn’t use oil or lotion, and you’re fully clothed during the massage. In addition, the sessions are shorter than traditional massage, usually 20 minutes or less. Chair massage focuses pressure only on the head, neck, shoulders, back, and arms.

* Chair massage is a great way to get quick relief and de-stress when you don’t have time for a traditional massage.


* The cost is easy on your wallet, too, usually costing approximately $1 a minute.

4. Stone Massage.

You’ve probably seen pictures in magazines or on the web of people receiving a stone massage. Smooth, heated, black stones are placed along a person’s spine and used as an extension of the therapist’s hand in conjunction with traditional massage.

* The added benefits of stone massage are increased pain relief, improved movement and energy.

Male Massage and Pleasure? – Click Here!

What to Expect During a Massage

1. Clothing. Expect to disrobe, unless you’re receiving a chair massage. Most likely, you’ll be expected to remove most of your clothing and given a robe to wear during the massage.

2. Questions & Concerns. Your therapist should ask you about any health concerns, why you’re seeking a massage, and if there are any medical conditions that they should be aware of.

3. Allergens. Oils and lotions that contain scent are typically used during massage. If you’re allergic to certain scents, oils, or lotions, ask your therapist for an alternative.

4. Positioning. Most massages require that you lie down during your massage and roll over from front to back or vice versa. You’ll also experience hands-on touching, but it should never be inappropriate.

5. Pain. You should never feel more pain than temporary discomfort often experienced while the therapist works out a knot or on a sore muscle area.

* If you’re experiencing pain greater than temporary discomfort, tell your therapist right away.

Possible Risks of Massage Therapy

Massage is generally safe as long as it’s offered by a trained therapist. However, massage isn’t the best de-stressing method for everyone, and you should seek the advice of your physician if you have certain conditions, such as:

* Burns or open wounds in areas to be massaged
* A recent heart attack
* Cancer – you’ll want to avoid direct pressure on the tumor area
* Deep vein thrombosis
* Unhealed fractures
* Rheumatoid arthritis in the area to be massaged
* Severe osteoporosis

Some other risks may include internal bleeding, nerve damage or temporary paralysis if the massage is done improperly. Make certain the therapist you choose is licensed and has the proper training.

Benefits of Massage

Massage can relieve tension in your muscles, help you relax, relieve stress and anxiety, and reduce muscle soreness. Massage is also known for releasing natural painkillers in your body, and it may even boost your immune system.

Before making an appointment for a massage, consider the possible risks and talk to your physician. This will help ensure your safety and make your massage a rewarding one.

Even your four legged friend would love a massage! – Click Here!

If you ask me, there is nothing better on a bad day – I often go to sleep during a massage! Massage therapy will help you in more ways than one – try it!