Stress, Anxiety & Depression

A 1992 study found that a 30-minute back massage given daily for five days reduced anxiety of hospitalized and depressed children. Massage Can Reduce Symptoms of Depression	I'd like to test that theory and add to the pool of positivity. Hence, I am offering this Reset Package 5 1/2 hour sessions for $250.00* * Click here for details
The parasympathetic nervous system is activated by rest and safety. This is known as the relaxation response, which slows the heartbeat, increases the secretion of most of the glands and increases digestion and elimination, conserves energy, tissue regeneration and repair in response to safety, rest and nurturance.	The sympathetic nervous system is activated during stressful events, providing a burst of energy, often termed the fight-or-flight response. Heart rate and blood pressure increase. Blood is directed to the heart, brain and skeletal muscles, and away from digestive, urinary and other areas that are not immediately involved in fight-or-flight. Long-term, unrelieved stress may increase cancer risk by keeping the sympathetic nervous system turned on, and the immune system suppressed by the body’s cortisol.  Cells respond to stress by changing their size, shape and function.
How Massage Can Help Massage reduces hormone levels and induces relaxation.   It can decrease cortisol levels  - which reduces stress, anxiety, pain and muscle tension.   It's a great tool to relieve pain and stress - and helps to establish healthy coping skills. Patients receiving massage are twice as likely to report improvement in pain and function.   Overall quality of life is improved by reducing pain and improving sleep quality - deeper, more satisfying/effective rest.   Massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure and increases blood circulation.  Study shows frequent massage sessions boost biological benefits. The benefits of massage are cumulative.  Cortisol is known to cause stress. Decreasing cortisol can help reduce stress - while undergoing massage therapy clients significantly reduced cortisol and increased serotonin and dopamine = improvement in psychological well-being. Massage is a non-pharmacologic intervention offering long and short term benefits. It simply feels good! (Feels good = relaxed = outlook on life tends to improve, which can lead to the improved perceptions of happiness and contentment and decreased levels of stress.) * Treatments are tailored to the individual. This customization meets individual client needs. (The client guides the therapist via dialogue, non-verbal signals, and body language.)		Our body/minds are equipped to tell us when we have had enough sympathetic activation and it is time to let up. Effects of Stress on the Body:  Headaches, teeth grinding, muscle tension, musculoskeletal pain, including neck and back pain, chest pain, fatigue, stomach and intestinal problems (nausea, heartburn, indigestion, pain, cramping, constipation, diarrhea and increased gas), sleep problems, insomnia, hyper-somnia and nightmares, forgetfulness, lack of sex drive, tremors or shaking, trembling, sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness, dryness in mouth or throat, frequent colds or infections, unexplained allergy attacks, difficulty breathing or feeling like it’s hard to take a deep breath,  high-pitched laughter or voice,  frequent urination, weight changes without diet changes Cardiovascular Issues: risk for heart failure goes up: increased left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac arrhythmias, heart pounding, heart rate and blood pressure increase, and increased clotting can potentially lead to pulmonary embolism and stroke Pulmonary and Endocrine Changes: Asthma flares  - insulin production can increase while sensitivity to insulin decreases, putting some at risk for developing diabetes
According to Harvard University scholars, anxiety can make physical diseases harder to treat and more severe. ~  The prevalence of severe anxiety was nearly four times worse in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms when compared to patients without them. "a person's stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression."
Effects of Stress on Mood: anxiety, lack of focus or difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, irritability, edginess, or frustration, anger, feelings of sadness or depression, panic attacks, feeling overly guilty or nervous	Read more > I think it's STRESS!
Healthy Lifestyle Changes    Diet - Eating a whole-food, plant-based diet (lots of veggies, whole grains, nuts and legumes, and fruits, while limiting processed and high-sugar foods).   Exercise - 45 to 60 minutes a day of brisk activity (any physical activity that gets you moving and gets your heart rate up is great; the more your clients enjoy the activity, the more likely they are to continue doing it).   Stress reduction and management - 30 to 60 minutes per day of formal stress management (massage, yoga, tai chi or meditation, for example).   Connectedness - Building and maintaining connectedness and community through whatever means makes sense to you. This can be family, church, volunteering or, more than likely, a combination of several things.		Effects of Stress on Behavior: Angry outbursts, mood swings, increased use of alcohol or drugs, gambling, appetite changes, overeating, under eating, tobacco use, social withdrawal, frequent crying spells, overreacting to minor annoyances or occurrences,  hypervigilance, obsessive-compulsive behavior, frequent use of over-the-counter medications, impulse buying.