Employers find that massage breaks are a cost-effective way to boost productivity and offer employees relief from stress. You’ve been hearing a lot from employees lately that they’re feeling stressed out and stretched thin. Managers in several departments note that morale is down, tension is up, and people are struggling to keep the smile in their voices when they talk to customers. And maybe the HR department is a bit stressed out, too. What can you do? Employee surveys or workload and staffing re-evaluations may come to mind, and those are good long-term approaches. But for a quicker solution, have you considered massage breaks?
On April 23, 2010, In Techniques, health, information and advice on relaxation, massage, By Relaxation Tunes
GOOD MASSAGE is a potent tonic for mind and body. It can help relieve tension, stress and strain; temporarily aid blood circulation; make joints more supple, and act as a natural tranquilizer to induce pleasurable sedation. Medically, when performed by a physician or physical therapist, it can ease the pain of backaches, arthritis, bursitis, whiplash, sciatica and migraines. Massage, as a passive form of exercise, is also a valuable substitute for those who are incapable of activity.
Yet massage does not build muscle strength, burn up calories or break up fat cells. Unlike physical exercise, the effects are shortlived. And some people should not be massaged: those with infections, malignancies, blood clots, redness or contusions, impaired sensation, phlebitis or skin disease. In addition, skin that is thin due to injury or burn should not be massaged.
But if one can afford a massage -an hour usually ranges in price from $25 to $50 and up – it can play a useful role in a health program. Aside from the heightened sense of well-being it arouses, it relaxes muscles in preparation for physical activity – the reason massage is often used by athletes. After a vigorous workout, it may also help relieve muscle tightness and, with the temporary increase in blood circulation, aid the body in removing wastes – such as lactic acid – generated by physical exercise.
On December 31, 2009, In health, information and advice on relaxation, By Relaxation Tunes
A
Angelica (Angelica archangelica) Throughout Europe this oil is known as the “holy spirit”or the “oil of angels”. Diffused this oil can help purify the air. Emotionally, this oil can be calming , and may assist in the release of negative feelings.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum) can be a stimulant and antiseptic.
B
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) has been found to be beneficial for alleviating mental fatigue. Use topically to calm and soothe the skin affected by stings and bites. It may also help stimulate and improve the sense of smell. It can be relaxing to the muscles and is used for headaches.
Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia) has been used in the Middle East for hundreds of years for many severe skin conditions associated with an oily complexion. It soothes and calms the skin affected by insect bites. It is known as a bug repellant. It has about 300 chemical constituents contributing refreshing, mood-lifting quality.
Blue Tansy (Tanacetum Annum) can be anti-inflammatory and can possibly help if used for hypertension and arthritis.
C
Canadian Red Cedar (Cedrus canadiensis) used traditionally by the Canadian Native American Indians to help them enter into a higher spiritual realm. They also used it for stimulating the scalp and helping to create the appearance of a fuller head of hair. It can be anti-microbial and antiseptic.
Cardamon (Elettaria cardamomum) may help with indigestion and coughs.
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) historically is recognized for its calming and purifying properties and is used to benefit the skin and tissues near the surface of the skin. It also helps calm nervous tension.
On December 23, 2009, In health, information and advice on relaxation, massage, meditation, music, By Relaxation Tunes
Try these five easy tips to get your body and mind ready for sleep:
1. Have a light snack.
Turns out, Mom was right—a glass of warm milk before bed can help send you off to dreamland. That’s because milk is rich in tryptophan, a sleep-inducing amino acid. Additional research indicates that pairing tryptophan with carbohydrates has added benefits—they help make the tryptophan more available to the brain. So to boost the effect, pair that glass of milk with carbs such as crackers, toast or cereal.
2. Don’t try to force it.
The more you toss and turn and focus on trying to go to sleep, the harder it will actually be. Instead engage in a relaxing activity that will help calm you down, or even bore you to sleep. Try reading a book or meditating. Even imagining a dull speech or lecture might do the trick.
3. Nod off to Relaxation Tunes.
Listening to soft music or nature sounds can help relax you and get you ready for sleep. Soft and soothing classical music is a good place to start, but you should experiment with what’s right for you. Just make sure to program your music so it shuts off on its own.
4. Create a bedtime ritual.
Reading in a comfy chair, writing in a journal, taking a warm bath or shower or simply dimming the lights can be a relaxing ritual that signals to your body that it’s time to slow down. Resist the temptation to check your e-mail or pay bills in bed—these activities will keep your brain buzzing.
5. Build the right sleep environment.
Your physical environment can play a huge role in the amount and quality of sleep you get each night. Edit your bedroom and remove anything that might produce sensory overload—too much light from bright lamps and sheer curtains or energizing music from the stereo. Use our interactive tool to design your ideal sleep sanctuary and gets tips for improving your sleep along the way.
Written by: Laurie Herr with minor modifications by the Relaxation Tunes team
Published By: Healthline Networks Inc.
On December 23, 2009, In health, By Relaxation Tunes
Women who suffer from migraines may be able to reduce the intensity of their pain and their risk of depression by regularly taking part in a simple exercise and relaxation routine, according to a study conducted by researchers from Innsbrook Medical University and published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.
Thirty women migraine sufferers were randomly assigned either to stay with their normal migraine treatment or to supplement that treatment with specific routine involving 45 minutes of aerobic exercise and 15 minutes of progressive muscle relaxation two times per week. After six weeks, the women who took part in the exercise and relaxation routine reported significantly less intensity of migraine pain than the women in the regular treatment only group.
Women in the exercise and relaxation group also reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression after six weeks than women in the control group. Overall, however, the level of psychological well-being was found to be the same in both groups.
Previous research has suggested that while exercise appears to have no ability to prevent migraine attacks, it does appear to reduce the intensity of pain experienced — a conclusion supported by the current study.
The researchers were unable to determine the reason for the exercise and relaxation therapy’s effect on migraine pain, but they speculated that the treatment might improve feelings of self-efficacy and thus improve people’s ability to cope with pain.
Up to 28 percent of people will suffer from a migraine attack at some point in the course of their lives. In any given year, 6 to 15 percent of adult men and 14 to 35 percent of adult women will suffer from at least one migraine attack.
People who suffer from migraines – especially young adults, women who use hormonal contraception, and women who suffer from migraine with aura – have two to three times the risk of undergoing a stroke as those who do not experience migraines.
Sources for this story include: www.reuters.com and Natural News
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