May Appreciation Days

Welcome back Healing Handers!  Trying out a new term for our little community here, do you like it? 😊

Today, we wanted to fill you in on several holidays going on in May.  They include: Teacher Appreciation Day (5/7), Nurses Day (5/6), Memorial Day (5/27), and of course…MOTHER’S DAY (5/12)! 

I’m kind of sensing a theme here.  I think we can agree that all four of the aforementioned professions are demanding, to say the least.  All involve having a tremendous impact on the lives of others.  Nurses care for our bodies, teachers care for our minds, and mothers and vets, well, they’re superheroes.  Can we just take a moment to appreciate all that they do?

To all the mothers, nurses, teachers, and vets out there (especially mothers who are also nurses, teachers, and vets), we appreciate all that you do!  This month is for you.

Now, you could go the traditional route and get your favorite nurse/teacher/mother/vet the usual flowers and chocolate…or you could do something a little more outside the box, something that will not only benefit their health, but relax them as well!  Yes, I’m talking about gifting them a massage.  

At Healing Hands, we offer 60/75/90-minute customized gift certificates.  This month, show the special women in your life just how much you care (as they have probably shown you time and time again).

Gifting a massage is a great gift because it’s not only useful, it’s also a gift that can be used on their own time.  For busy mothers, teachers, and nurses, this can be crucial.  Plus, evidence shows that useful, practical gifts are actually seen as more desirable by receivers.  And what’s more useful than a relaxing massage?

Click here to order a gift certificate online and remember, our certs are as customizable as our massages!  Below is a basic sample but all you have to do is contact us and we will send you a printable cert with any name, sentiment, or occasion.

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #gifts, #holidays, #healthylifestyle, #mothersday, #nursesday, #memorialday, #teacherappreciationday, #giftcertificates

Global “Massage Makes Me Happy” Day (yeah, it’s a thing)

We’ve got news!  This Wednesday, March 20^th is “Global Massage Makes Me Happy Day”.  There really is a holiday for everything (can we make an International Free Coffee and Donuts Day?!).  Anyway, we’re all for this initiative launched last year by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI).

The initiative aims to “celebrate the healing powers of massage therapy and promote its benefits through research and education, advocacy and global awareness”.  This is accomplished through promoting the practice of massage therapy and careers in massage therapy worldwide, and by delving into the current available research in order to facilitate the merging of healthcare/wellness practices and massage.

This mission is something we whole-heartedly believe in.  Massage has been proven to provide tremendous benefits and help alleviate countless ailments, but the underlying theme that we (and the Global Wellness Institute) have caught on to is that the benefits of massage therapy increase when massages become an ongoing part of your wellness routine.

Massages are often thought of as a “treat” or something that you should use sparingly, but this shouldn’t be the case.  Yes, they can feel like a treat, but they should really be a regular part of your healthcare routine.  You can access the brief put together by the GWI on the research supporting these claims here. 

The true power behind GWI’s initiative is in the very first word of its message: celebrate.   Let’s CELEBRATE massage therapy and its many wonderful mental and physical benefits.  After all, massage should make you happy!  And while it should be an ongoing part of your wellness routine, it’s also just an amazing way to liven up your week and provide some much-needed endorphins.  We love the message behind the slogan.  After all, the logo is a huge smiley face (we think it’s how you’ll look after a relaxing massage)!

Want to join in on the fun? To celebrate you can:

•   Get a massage
•   Give a massage
•   Gift a massage (this would make a wonderful hump day surprise for a special someone…just sayin’!)

Happy Global Massage Makes Me Happy Day!  Take this as a sign to come see us this week.  After all, it would make us happy to help make you happy.

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #happiness, #healthylifestyle, #holidays, #global

The Time to Reflect

With the year coming to a close, now is a great time to reflect on the Year That [Almost] Was.  Like mine, yours was probably a mixture of ups and downs – hopefully more of the former.  It’s human nature to take the time to periodically reflect on events once we have the perspective to evaluate them as a whole.  There’s an infinite amount of questions we can and should ask ourselves in order to see the big picture.

What are the most memorable moments of your 2018?  How will what you’ve learned this past year influence the coming new year?  How did that risk you were scared to take pan out?  Is there something you wish you could have done better?  By asking questions and reflecting, we are able to take the lessons learned and progress made and be ready to apply them to continue to grow in 2019.

However, even more important than reflecting on events…it’s important to reflect on personal dispositions.  As we’ve mentioned before, your mindset is what will make the difference in your life, not events!  As Charles Swindoll says, life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

Specifically, it’s critical to show gratitude in your life.

By reflecting on your life through the lens of gratitude, you’re likely to find that the bad is not so bad, and that there is always a lot to be thankful for – from savoring your morning coffee, to appreciating the wonderful people surrounding you in your daily life.  Adopting an attitude of gratitude – both in reflection and in daily life – will make life a lot more enjoyable and may even help you uncover blessings in disguise that you may have missed the first time around.    

What are you grateful for this year?  This year (and every year!), we at Healing Hands are grateful for YOU.  We are grateful for our clients and your continued support.  We are grateful that you continue to put your trust in us to help you live your best life through our massage and wellness services.

We look forward to another year of serving you in 2019.

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #gratitude, #holidays, #newyear

How to Make a New Years Resolution That Will Actually Work

There are a lot of interesting statistics out there regarding New Years Resolutions.

Some indicate that they don’t work (this study found that only about 20% of resolutions were successful after two years).  Others indicate that resolutions can still be a powerful tool to achieve a difficult goal (one study found that at 6 months in, 46% of those who made resolutions were successful compared to only 4% of those who didn’t!).  Overall, the consensus seems to be: resolutions can work.  However, most don’t work long term.  Which is what it’s all about, right?

Let’s say you want to lose 20lbs this New Year.  Ideally, you would want to keep them off, and not just have to make the same resolution again come January 2020.  This is something people often fail to consider.  Having specific goals is a great tool for the short term, but what happens once you achieve them?  Do you just return to your normal eating behaviors that got you 20lbs heavier in the first place?  This is a shortcut to getting right back to where you started, which might explain the above statistics: 6 months in, almost half of those who made resolutions seemed to be successful…but fast-forward two years and that number drops to less than a quarter.

So how do you ensure your resolution will work both in the short and the long term?

The answer begins with the way you set your goals. 

There are two types of goals: product goals and process-oriented goals. Process-oriented goals focus on building habits and on the journey and methods used to achieve a product goal.  Product goals focus on a specific outcome.  They are interconnected, and both are necessary for success.  

Using the previous example: losing 20 lbs would be your product goal. However, your process goals could be things like going for a daily walk, watching portion sizes, getting to the gym 3 times a week, etc.  The secret to maintaining your product goal?  Building solid process goals. Losing those 20lbs will be rewarding in and of itself.  But the magic happens when those process goals turn into habits, and the weight stays off.

This is the time to start forming your New Years Resolutions, but this year form them in a smarter and more efficient way.  Have a product goal, but focus on your process goals.

Need help with your resolution to reduce stress and be healthier in the workplace?  Start talking to your employer about how our corporate wellness services can be of assistance!

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #holidays, #healthylifestyle, #weightloss

Holiday Gift Guide: How to Choose a Gift

It’s the season of gifts.  As mentioned in a previous blog post, this can be a huge source of stress for some during the holidays.  But it really doesn’t have to be!  Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind that will make it a lot easier to come up with several great options for everyone on your holiday shopping list:

1.    Ramp up your listening skills around this time of year.  If you really listen to someone, chances are by the end of a couple conversations they’ll already have mentioned either a problem they have, or something they’ve been eyeing!  This is your cue to think: can I gift them something to help with this problem?

2.    Think about everything you know about the person.  Do you know their favorite snacks?  Their favorite color?  Favorite animal?  A gift that feels personal will remind someone that you went out of your way to get this for them, and didn’t just pick up a pack of identical “gifts” to distribute to everyone else.

3.    Just ask.  This article sums up some interesting research on the variance between the expectations of gift givers and receivers, and advocates for the simple action of just asking someone what they actually want.  If you’re close to someone, this could be a viable option!  Just throw in a small little surprise (as simple as a box of chocolates) to keep it fun and retain that surprise element.

4.    Have a budget for each person on your list.  Your Secret Santa at work probably doesn’t need a lavish gift from you, but your 15-year-old niece, on the other hand…!

5.    Think outside the box.  Get it?  Like the box of the gift?  Anyway, instead of focusing on what is the most expensive, newest thing you can get someone, why not get them an experience instead?  Studies show that gift receivers are more focused on the practicality or use they will get out of the gift, while gift givers are more concerned about the moment of the exchange.  Research also says experiential gifts are also more effective at improving relationships between gift givers and receivers!  A great option for this kind of gift is always a massage.

There you have it! Using these tips, you can streamline your holiday shopping and put a smile on the faces of everyone on your list. Happy gift-giving!

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #gifts, #holidays, #giftideas

The Phenomenon of Holiday Stress and How To Combat it

It’s official, we’re in full-on holiday season.  ‘Tis the season to indulge in time off, time with family, and lots of delicious food.  However, what some people think of as the happiest time of the year can end up being quite the opposite through a phenomenon known simply as “holiday stress”.

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that leading holiday season stressors include a perceived lack of time, money, pressure of giving or getting gifts, family gatherings, and an inability to stick to health goals.  More than 80% of people surveyed reported feeling stressed and fatigued “often” during the holidays.

Additionally, in order to combat the stress, people tend to turn to less-than-optimal coping mechanisms, eating more and moving less.  We understandably think that indulging often and relaxing our way through these stressful months will make them a little easier to deal with.  However, this leads into another source of stress: an inability to stick to our current health goals!  Consistency is king.  It isn’t our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners that make us gain those extra pounds we desperately want to shed come January 1^st, it’s what we do all the other days surrounding these special occasions in the hopes of being able to enjoy ourselves and relieve undue stress.

So, it seems like one thing just leads to another.  Is there no way to break the cycle?

As it turns out there is a calorie-free alternative to relieving holiday stress: the concept of shifting set!  Shifting set is simply a fancy term coined by psychologists to represent “updating or shifting cognitive strategies to respond to the changes in our environment”.  In simpler terms, it’s the ability to be flexible and adaptable.

By adopting a more flexible and adaptable approach to the holidays we can save ourselves a LOT of undue stress.  Just think: instead of stressing out about not getting as much time as you wanted off from work for that vacation, why not just adapt to the new timeframe and channel that energy into reorganizing your itinerary and still going on a fulfilling mini-vacation?  Instead of being upset that your workout schedule has been completely thrown off by traveling and bad weather, be flexible…adapt…create a new workout schedule that works with your current circumstances!

This holiday season, make sure to rely on flexibility and adaptability (and maybe a relaxing massage) to relieve stress so that you can actually enjoy this time of year!

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #holidays, #stress, #christmas

Guide to Gifting Massage

When you’re relaxing on a massage table, it’s easy to see massage as a gift.  Whether you’re there to reduce pain, to ease anxiety, to help you recover from the physical and mental stresses of work, athletic training, parenting, or just being alive, massage is a moment of freedom in an occasionally crushing world.

If you’re thinking of sharing the gift of massage with someone else for a special occasion or “just because,” you are almost certainly doing so from a place of love and generosity.

Obviously, I’m a big fan of giving massage as a gift!  But there are some things to keep in mind when offering this kind of present:

How to (successfully!) give the gift of massage

Think about the best way to deliver your gift.  Gift certificates are the easiest way to give a massage as a gift, as it allows the individual to schedule on their own (either by calling or going online).  Scheduling on their behalf can sometimes work as well, although this can require additional strategic planning.

Look for genuine excitement.  When you mention massage, are they enthusiastic about the idea?  What you are looking for is, “Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing!” as opposed to a polite, “Yeah sure, I guess I would go if it were free.”  If you can elicit a more excited response by offering new socks, go with the socks.  But many people are thrilled by the idea of getting a professional massage as a gift.

Talk with your massage therapist.  Are they accepting new clients right now?  Do they allow people to purchase massages as a gift?  Do they offer the kind of massage this person needs or wants?  For example, at Healing Hands we offer relaxing massages with aromatherapy and/or Himalayan salt stones as well as deep tissue massages with stretching and heat.  But if you’re looking to give a massage as a gift to someone who wants to experience modalities we don’t offer (such as shiatsu or craniosacral work), we wouldn’t be the best fit.

Consider and remove obstacles.  Unlike a nice sweater or a juicy novel, there can be a few barriers to someone enjoying even a gifted massage.  These include:

●     Transportation and accessibility.  Will you need to help them get to their massage?

●     Childcare and other caregiving responsibilities.  Will they be more likely to accept the gift if it’s accompanied by an offer to babysit?

●     Tips, parking, and other expenses.  At Healing Hands we say “gratuities are never expected but always appreciated.”  If you wish to include this in your gift, we will note it at the bottom of our customized gift certificates.  As far as parking goes, you can let the recipient know that we validate their valet fees so there is no cost to drop off their vehicle when they come for their session.

●     Anxiety.  Receiving a massage for the first time can be intimidating.  Going together or talking about what to expect can be useful.

And finally, don’t forget the most important gift recipient: yourself.  You can’t pour from an empty cup!  Rest matters.  Peace of mind matters.  Sometimes, one of the best gifts you can offer others is to take a moment away from the chaotic world, so that YOU can be a better spouse, parent, colleague, neighbor, or friend.  Sometimes self-care can feel like a strangely radical or indulgent act, but it’s a vital one.  When we are around people who know to care for themselves before running themselves ragged, it’s a better environment for everyone.

To give the gift of massage, please visit this page and you will be directed to a secure PayPal link where you can enter the information of yourself and the recipient.  Additional customization available upon request.

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #holidays, #gifts, #giftcertificates, #giftideas

Staying Healthy During the Holidays

It’s the mooooost wonderful tiiiiiime of the yeeeeear. ♪♫♩

Yes it is!  The holidays are a time filled with beautiful weather (here in South Florida, anyway), and a time to make memories with your loved ones.  However, it can also be a stressful time packed with lots of traveling, last-minute shopping, and plenty of opportunities to overindulge and be underactive.  Now, no one is saying you should have a salad and go for a run on Thanksgiving.  The priority is to enjoy yourself and have an amazing time with your family and friends!

But the goal can be to indulge and enjoy your holiday season, while not going so overboard that come New Year’s you hastily make resolutions to suddenly become a health guru (more on this later) out of guilt. 

It’s not only possible, but it’s easy.  Here are some practical tips you can implement every day no matter the situation to stay on track with your health and wellness goals this holiday season:

1.    Prioritize movement: It’s fine to scale back on an intense exercise regimen if you’ve got a busy schedule, but there is always a way to get in some extra movement!  Research shows that going for a brief walk even as short as 15 minutes after a meal can aid digestion and burn some extra calories.  So skip the temptation to take a nap post-food-coma and opt for a walk around the block instead.

2.    Skip and/or mix and match leftovers: I’m not going to tell you to try to focus on healthy food for your holiday feast, what fun would that be?  But what you can do, is enjoy it and move on.  If you are in a situation where you are left with huge amounts of leftovers and can’t give them away to guests, a good strategy is to freeze half, and then have the other half in small quantities coupled with some healthier options.  For example, replace the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes plate with a salad topped with some of that leftover turkey.  In short, pace yourself.

3.    Minimize stress: Stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which leads to increased weight gain (a good way to combat stress is by getting a massage, you know we had to mention it!).

So there you have it!  Staying healthy during the holidays doesn’t need to be hard, and you don’t need to make a lot of sacrifices.  Small tweaks here and there can make a huge difference.

And above all, don’t forget to prioritize enjoying yourself.  Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Healing Hands!

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #holidays, #healthylifestyle, #howto, #healthyholidays