Stress is commonplace in today’s busy lifestyles. Stress contributes to such life-threatening problems as heart attack, stroke, depression and infection, as well as chronic aches and pains and obesity. Massage is one way to relieve stress.
Some common reasons people give for NOT getting massages are the expense, they have no time or were not comfortable with the idea of having a massage.
On average, massage therapy costs approximately $1.10 per minute and you can choose the length of time and type of massage. Most of us can easily spend $50 dining out one evening, buying weekly coffee and snacks, or regularly consuming alcohol. Studies show that people who are stressed are more likely to spend money on things they don’t need or consume unhealthy foods as a means of trying to de-stress. These are not healthy alternatives.
Take a look at some of these recent stress statistics, courtesy of the American Psychological Association (APA Survey 2004).
—62% of Americans say work has a significant impact on stress levels.
—54% of workers are concerned about health problems caused by stress.
—45% of workers say job insecurity has a significant impact on work stress levels.
—One in four workers have taken a mental health day off from work to cope with stress.
—Alcohol and overeating are commonly used to cope with stress.
Massage is one of the oldest forms of healing. It is a drug-free and non-invasive way of helping to relieve pain, stress and tension. It can help you cope better with stress and has shown to be effective in helping to reduce anxiety. So much of the research on massage therapy suggests that when there is a reduction in stress levels following a massage, we in turn will feel less pain, are less depressed and anxious, less fatigued, and have less difficulty falling asleep (The Touch Research Institute). Massage releases endorphins that calm the peripheral nervous system. It increases circulation and speeds up the removal of toxins from the body. Massage reduces levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
Many massage therapists offer packages to make getting regular massages more affordable. If stress is getting the better of you, why not try a massage. You’ll be glad you did!
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