The Post-Massage Aftermath

The only thing better than being in the middle of a massage is the sense of bliss afterwards.  There’s nothing quite like it!  There are a couple of things you can do to keep the afterglow going for as long as possible.  It is recommended to take it easy in the next several hours following your session, therefore you should do your best to schedule and plan your day accordingly to maximize the post-massage benefits.

Our bodies are 60% water, and although we are lying down during the massage, our muscles are being manipulated to the point where a massage can be interpreted by the body as passive exercise (particularly in a deep tissue or stretching session), which may lead to more water retention.  Therefore, one of the primary suggestions we have for your post-massage day is to stay hydrated.  This will help the body return to a hydrated and relaxed state.  Water also helps flush out the toxins freed from our lymphatic systems and increase blood flow.  Accordingly, blood requires proper hydration to flow freely.

In addition to proper hydration, your body will also appreciate it if you eat something healthy afterwards.  While a heavy indulgent meal may be tempting, the body is still in recovery mode so it is best to skip a large dinner in favor of a light, nutritious snack that won’t make you feel bloated and sluggish.

The sleepy feeling, which sometimes accompanies the end of the massage, may result in you wanting to take a nap.  If your schedule permits, by all means do so!  Your body is in “rest and recovery” mode and sleep is a welcome addition to this healing process.

Consequently, it might be best not to start an exercise regime in the hours following your session.  Muscles are lengthened and worked during a massage; any overly strenuous activity might result in injury.  Nevertheless, a short walk with the dog might help to awaken you, but anything more is not recommended.  The most ideal situation would be to have a warm – not hot – bath afterwards.  It will aid in muscle recovery, especially if Epsom salts are added as they increase circulation.

In conclusion, enjoy the benefits of having a massage by avoiding any stressful or strenuous activity in the hours after it, and instead consider extending your “me-time” and taking the day to relax.  Don’t forget to book your next appointment!

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #relaxation, #healthylifestyle, #selfcare

6 Ways to Treat Yourself (that don’t involve money or food)

It’s not hard to think up great ways to treat yourself.  We’d all love a spa day topped off with a gourmet meal prepared and served by someone else.  Maybe get a sitter for the night, so the little angels are asleep when we get home.  Or just enjoy a morning where the cat doesn't wake you up by sitting on your windpipe.

But for every article about self-care, I roll my eyes at least 12 times and think "Who can afford that?"  I’m all about realistic self-care.  Meaning, activities that aren't expensive, don't involve food, and will make you feel good about how you spent that time.  Here's a list of some of my favorites (bonus: most of these you can do with kids).

1.     Meditate, the easy way

If you're the kind of person who can't sleep during the day, napping can be more like torture.  But guided meditation is a whole other story.  It gives your mind something (easy) to do so the rest of you can relax a bit.  There are plenty of free guided meditations online; check out the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center website and the free version of the Headspace app, which has plenty of options to get you started.

2.     Read a book

When was the last time you read for pleasure?  Even if you can't get to your local library, there are plenty of free ebooks on Amazon, and your local library may have a free online borrowing program.  Or reread some of your favorite books from childhood if you have them hanging around.

3.     Learn something new

If you choose the topic right, learning is great self-care.  But here’s the thing: make sure you pick a topic for FUN.  Don't feel like you need to learn something pertinent to your work or a current hobby.  Check out Coursera, MIT or Harvard to start (but there are PLENTY of sources for free online classes – do your own searching, too!)

4.     Draw

Bust out a piece for paper and draw something.  Even if you don't have fancy pencils or crayons or markers, you can play with shading and pressure and make something cool.  There are plenty of free coloring pages you can download and print out.

5.     YouTube Karaoke

For nearly every song out there, there's a karaoke accompaniment channel on YouTube.  For reals.  Crank it up and let ‘er rip.  You’re a stress-free superstar now.

6.     And when all else fails: Nap

Put your jammies on and take a nap.  In your bed.  Not all squooshed up on the couch with the TV on.  Close the shades in your bedroom and hunker down for a proper sleep.

There.  You don’t have to spend money or fill your belly to feel great and treat yourself well!

…of course, you can always schedule a relaxing massage as well (we had to say it!).  It’s not free but it’s worth the investment in yourself – after all, you can’t run your car on empty, and the same goes with your body.  So here’s hoping you make the time this week for YOU and do at least one thing listed in this post.  You deserve it, and you are worth it.  ♥

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #selfcare, #healthylifestyle, #relax, #meditate

How to Make Self-Care a Priority With Membership Rewards

So we've been talking...

The concept of a massage membership is nothing new.  But unfortunately, that means many people have gotten used to a 50-minute hour, a massage therapist who may be lacking in experience, and up-charges/ extra fees galore.

At Healing Hands, we have two goals for our clients: anxiety/stress reduction and pain/function improvement.  We like to use whatever tools necessary to achieve those goals - YOUR goals - without our clients feeling nickled and dimed.


Here's the idea:

Since we are always telling our clients that massage should be preventative instead of reactionary (meaning, don't wait until you have a problem to come in and see us), imagine a monthly membership where you get to enjoy all the perks you currently do, at a reduced price.  See below to compare our plan to what's out there now...

Those in the membership plan will get monthly access to one 60-minute massage to use in the next 30 days (or it can be given to a family member or friend).  E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G is now included in one low monthly price.

This includes: 

• Swedish
• Deep Tissue
• Prenatal
• Aromatherapy
• Heat Packs
• Himalayan Salt Stones
• Therapeutic Stretching
• Cupping

All massages include hot towels and essential oils before and after each session.  Want more than an hour?  We can do that too.

 

The massages will roll over for a period of 3 months (again, during which time you can either use them or give them to someone else if you are unable to come in).  Conversely, if you’re current on your massages and would like to come in for an extra session, you will always get the member price.  

Are you ready to ensure you are practicing self-care on a regular basis? Why not sign up for a membership today and start collecting your sweet rewards? Sign up today.

Easy Ways To Be Your Best Self and Share a Little Kindness

Did you know that Random Act of Kindness Week is February 11-17?

It's amazing how a few words and deeds can have a profound effect even many decades later.

One digital artist friend I know stopped painting two decades ago because her professor laughed (literally in her face) at her dream of one day studying painting as a graduate student at The Royal College of Art in London.

"Where do you get such high flying ideas?" he scoffed.

Well, I am happy to report that she is doing just fine, went to graduate school in NYC, travels the world, has screened her animations on five continents, and has won multiple awards for her work.

And she (just now) started painting again! But what would have happened if that one snarky comment twenty years ago had been replaced by a kind one instead?

Another friend of mine recently let me know that something as simple as giving away some Halloween candy years ago has stayed with her all these years later.

She writes:

"I don't remember my childhood in fine-grained detail, but I do still remember the year that my father grounded my little sister and I for forgetting to take the trash out to the curb (again) on our way to school on what happened to be Halloween day.  I remember my rage at the ridiculously out of proportion punishment of not being allowed to go trick-or-treating that night. And I remember my gratitude when two girls our age from a family at church brought us a big chunk (probably half)  of their candy the next time we saw them. That was the biggest kindness I can remember anyone paying me as a child. Thank you Anastasia Yecke Gude! And thank your sister for me please."

I had completely forgotten about this and haven’t spoken with her since 1991 or so.

I don’t mention this to toot my own horn by any means, just to demonstrate that it’s possible for a simple act of kindness to be remembered for decades.

Did you know that research backs up that you will boost your own happiness levels for a sustained period of time when you do small "happiness activities" such as listing a few things you are grateful for each day or writing someone in your support network (friends and family) to let them know how much they mean to you?

This being also Valentine's Day, I'd love to introduce you to a cool tool and website that makes all of this even easier. Check out Happify.com.

In particular, they have a Kindness Chain Tool which makes it easy and free to send someone you care about a quick compliment or message of support, delivered right to their email inbox. Start your own here.

I hope that once this "Day of Love" and "Week of Kindness" ends you will consider making random acts of kindness a yearlong habit. And you can always start by being kind to yourself.

If you need a few ideas, come have a look at our pampering services over at Healing Hands. :-)