Five Stress Less tips to a happier festive season

The festive season is upon us, with the big day less than 30 days away. It's a busy time of the year, what with celebrations and end of year wind ups happening everywhere from school to work to book club and family gatherings. This, along with Christmas day planning, preparation and present buying can make for a stressful few weeks. Maybe this is the year to mix it up a little and make the holidays a little easier. Here are our top five Stress Less tips to get you through.

Forget perfection
Sometimes gingerbread men will be missing a limb. The tree may have a bald spot. The plum pudding may not taste exactly like your grandma’s. Know what? None of it matters. Decide what's truly important to you over the holidays, and focus on that.

Enlist help
Once you drop the desire for Norman Rockwell levels of perfection, it gets much easier to ask for help and delegate tasks. Kids can sign the names and address holiday cards. Wrap gifts in plain brown paper and kids can stay occupied decorating with crayons and ribbon.

Stick to a budget
Much of the holiday stress people feel can be attributed to money woes. Make a list and check it twice, making sure the gifts you choose are within your budget reach. And when you're tempted to overspend, remember that things are rarely as meaningful as a kind thought or gesture.

Shop local
Shy away from the average stuff you get at chain stores and Amazon. Visit your local bookstore, bakery and massage office (Hey! That’s us!) to get gifts and gift certificates that really mean something. Check out the farmers’ market and makers markets where you can buy jars of local honey or handmade ornaments. Keep a stash in your car with some gift bags for last-minute “I can’t believe I forgot to get a gift for my kid’s teacher” type situations.
Bonus: you’re supporting small business at the same time!

Get massage
Taking care of yourself makes you better able to take care of all the people who depend on you! 

We are open 6 days a week, with late afternoon and early evening appointments available. Our new look gift certificates are a real gift giving winner!

Here's to a wonderful festive season low on stress and filled with fun!

Nicola

Spring, hay fever and massage therapy

Spring has well and truly sprung here in the beautiful South West of WA. In fact, we noticed it the most last weekend when my kids and I ventured out for a mountain bike ride through the bush. So many lovely wildflowers and pollens in the air - there was many a sneeze or two amongst us.

Also known as allergic rhinitis or pollinosis, hayfever is an allergic reaction triggered by allergens such as dust, pollen, mites, grasses, moulds, animal fur/hair and/or air pollution. The condition tends to occur seasonally with outdoor allergens starting early spring and lasting well into autumn. It is estimated that hayfever and allergies affect over 3 million Australians, of varying degrees of severity. 

Hay fever occurs when allergens become trapped in the fine hairs and mucous membranes of the nasal passages, mouth, throat and lungs. The immune system reacts by stimulating the release of the antibody Immunoglobin E (IgE), which is designed to fight and eliminate the allergens. Histamine is then released from the IgE to flush the allergens out of the airways, which produces a list of symptoms described below.

Symptoms of Hay fever

Common symptoms of Hay fever include:

• Coughing
• Headaches
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Itching of nose, mouth, eyes, throat, ear and skin
• Impaired smell
• Wheezing
• Red and watery eyes
• Stuffy and runny nose
• Fatigue
• Sleeping problems.

The therapeutic aromas of essential oils may relieve hayfever attacks. They are best heated in an oil burner, inhaled on a hanky or over a steaming bucket of hot water. Popular essential oils for hayfever include:

• Eucalyptus
• Tee Tree oil
• Roman chamomile
• Lemon
• Lavender
• Geranium
• Rosemary
• Peppermint

Massage is an ideal therapy to compliment more conventional hay fever treatments by utilising reflexology, acupressure and lymphatic drainage techniques. Massage of the head, face, neck and shoulders and thoracic region with essential oils can be effective way to soothe and relax the body, promoting good drainage and circulation and releasing stress and tension, thus easing the symptoms of hay fever. In particular, targeted massage therapy treatments may help to ease hay fever associated congestion, headaches and sinus pain. 

Be well, and change the way your body feels.

Nicola

For more information on hay fever and allergies see Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

Give thanks to your body - a post about gratitude attitude

In a world that sells dissatisfaction, it’s almost heretical to feel happy about your body. And on the rare occasion when body satisfaction is socially acceptable, it’s usually in the context of “Wow, I look amazing in my wedding dress/tailored business suit/perm/bathing suit/whatever I just spent a lot of money on in order to make me feel this way for a couple of hours.” For all the sunshiny Facebook messages telling you “You’re beautiful!” there’s not much to make us feel legitimately joyful to be in our own skins.

So where does happiness come from, anyway? Psychological studies show that happiness stems not from being the best, most successful, or sexiest, but from gratitude. So telling yourself over and over that you’ve got a great body is less likely to leave you feeling happy than feeling grateful for the body you’ve got. It’s not always easy. None of our bodies are perfect. We often feel at odds with our bodies, feeling as though they’re betraying us in some fundamental way.

If there were ever a time to give thanks for the bodies we inhabit, it’s now, the age of instant gratification.

You can give thanks that your body has seen you through many long years of life.

You can give thanks that your body is young and healthy and strong.

You can give thanks that your body has taught you important lessons about pain and the mental and emotional strength you have in bearing it.

You can give thanks that your body has given rise to new life.

You can give thanks if your body honors your parents with features it received from them.

You can give thanks if your body honors your parents with its presence, against all odds, having been born to others.

You can give thanks if your body has the senses to know beauty, the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings of the world around you.

You can give thanks if your body includes a mind that can think, imagine, and dream.

You can give thanks that your body has built, dug, cooked, sewn, planted, and shaped the world around it.

You can give thanks that your body has held and honored and taught the bodies of others around you.

Massage therapists are lucky people. We get to see the wonder in the bodies around us every day. It’s an honor, and one we’re perpetually grateful for. Learn to express your gratitude, which ever way feels right for you, be it through writing in your journal, phone calls to your loved ones, a reflective walk in the woods, or prayer. But don’t forget that inimitable body of yours, which has accomplished so many things throughout your life. If we all inhabited our bodies with an attitude of gratitude, who knows what might happen? Maybe that whole peace on earth business wouldn’t seem so far away.

Have a Stress Less Day,

Nicola

Aromatherapy, Massage and Insomnia

Lavender Massage blend can help you relax and have better quality sleep

Insomnia can impact our wellbeing and the quality of our lives. The frustration of not being able to get a good nights sleep can make the situation even worse. 


Insomnia can have many different causes:

• stress

• anxiety

• fear of insomnia

• physical illness

• pain

• working unusual hours

• too much caffeine

Its symptoms vary depending on the person, but can go from simply just being tired to tension headaches, drowsiness, irritability and can even lead to more anxiety.

While a lifestyle changes is often a good cure for insomnia, it is not always appropriate or practical. Aromatherapy and Massage can help you go to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. The calming, soothing, balancing and anxiety reducing benefits of essential oils make Aromatherapy very effective for treating insomnia.

Lavender and Roman Chamomile are the most commonly used essential oils used for relieving insomnia. You can simply add a drop or two on your pillow or use them in a diffuser in your bedroom. While these oils are recommended for easing insomnia, it is important to 'follow your nose' and make your essential oil selection based on how you are feeling.

Combined with Massage, Aromatherapy can be even more effective. Massage has long been known to enhance relaxation and improve sleep patterns. One of the most important brain chemicals our brain produces to make us sleep is serotonin. When we suffer from insomnia, most of the time it is because our body is lacking that precious hormone. 

Massage has been proven to have a positive action on the nervous system and helps the brain to produce serotonin. Therefore, in addition to relieving tension headaches and relaxing your muscles, Massage may assist to restore hormonal balance and help you sleep better and longer. Furthermore, while Massage alone is an effective method for relaxation, studies suggest that massage with essential oils may result in improved sleep quality, a more stable mood, increased mental capacity and reduced anxiety.

Clinical studies have found that participants who received Massage with lavender essential oil felt less anxious and more positive than participants who received massage alone. 

Sleep plays a vital role in good health and wellbeing throughout your life. Getting enough sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life and safety. If you think you may not be getting enough sleep or are suffering with insomnia try using essential oils in your bedroom or book a regular Massage treatment with essential oils, it will help you to get that good nights sleep that your mind and body needs. 

Have a Stress Less day, 

Nicola

Juvenile Arthritis and Massage for Children

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis isn’t just one disorder. It’s a complicated set of musculoskeletal disorders made up from over 100 different diseases or conditions that destroy joints, bones, muscles, cartilage and other connective tissues. The symptoms cause pain, limit movement, and can halt an otherwise active person’s life.

In the US, almost 300,000 of those affected by arthritis are kids. Juvenile arthritis (JA) is a broad way to describe a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger. We don’t know yet why it strikes, and it can appear in many different ways.

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness month, and I’m taking this opportunity to learn more and share more about JA. Here are five things I didn’t know, and I bet you don’t know them either.

Children Can Be Diagnosed With Arthritis

When we hear the word arthritis we often think of adults with stiff joints, not children and teenagers. Stiff joints, pain, and swelling for more than 6 weeks are associated with arthritis. Eyes, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract can also be affected in children. It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body is attacking itself instead of a foreign body such as a virus. If your child or teen seems to always have a tummy ache and complains of joint pain it could be a good idea to visit your doctor for a chat.

There is No Known Cause

Parents of children with a JA diagnosis will ask the question, “What caused this?” Unfortunately the answer is usually, “We don’t know for sure.” Researchers are looking at genetic and environmental factors which may contribute to the development of JA, but they have found no specific cause. There isn’t one single blood test to diagnose. Studies are trying to determine if siblings of children with JA will also develop symptoms.

Common Signs of Juvenile Arthritis

Complaints of painful knees, hands, feet, neck, or jaw common symptoms. This pain is common first thing in the morning or upon waking from naps. Arthritis pain tends to appear slowly, not suddenly like an injury.

Stiffness in the joints is another sign of arthritis. Usually the stiffness will be worse in the morning but improve with movement throughout the day. Some children may stop doing certain things. Has your toddler stopped using utensils to eat when he has been wielding a fork for months? See if you can determine if he’s in pain or just exploring with his fingers.

Swelling of a joint or joints is a strong sign a child might need an evaluation. The joint may be hot to the touch, as well. Often a child with JA will develop fevers with fatigue but no other symptoms of illness.

Treatments for Juvenile Arthritis

Even though there is no cure for JA, doctors will have a treatment plan for each patient. Treatments may include medication, physical therapy, nutrition, and eye care. One patient may respond well with medication while others may do better with movement or physical therapy. The whole family will work together in an effort to maintain normalcy for the patient. Adjustments to schedules may happen, but there’s no need to quit living life altogether.

Massage as a Treatment

We all know massage feels great on sore muscles, but can it help with the stiffness of arthritis? Maybe! We know massage can have a positive effect on blood pressure and anxiety. A study at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey looked at people with osteoarthritis of the knee. The people who received a Swedish (or relaxation) massage twice a week for 8 weeks reported improvement in pain levels and function.

Massage for children and teens can be beneficial in many ways. Regular massage helps manage painful symptoms and can help improve self-awareness, self-image, and self-confidence. Parents can even work with a massage therapist to learn soothing techniques to apply at home. Massage for arthritis is usually gentle and soothing with a warm touch, perfect for use by any parent trying to help his or her child.  If you have any questions or would like to schedule a massage for your child (or yourself!) you can always contact me Stress Less Bodyworks

With this list of signs you may learn how to spot the signs of something more serious than a case of the childhood “I don’t want-tos.” Chronic pain is no fun, but it can be harder to deal with if no one knows it’s happening. Juvenile arthritis is a real issue with real symptoms. If spotted and treated early, it doesn’t have to mean an end to the active life your child deserves.

Be Well and Stress Less,

Nicola

Massage and Mums

Every Mum deserves a Peaceful Moment

Mothers Day is just around the corner. I myself am on the cusp of being a new mum again for the third time, so I thought it fitting to write a piece about massage and mums.


Happy Mothers Day!

Whether you are a mother, have a mother, or know a mother, Mothers Day is time to honor those who've played this important role. Stepmothers, birthmothers, and godmothers too. While there are as many ways of being a mother as there are moms in the world, one thing is certain: it's a tough job, but a rewarding one. Here are just three ways massage might be of service to the mothers in your life.

Expecting Mothers

Prenatal massage is a growing field, as training programs for massage therapists increase and old myths about massage during pregnancy fade. Massage can ease the aches and pains associated with increased weight, loosened ligaments, and shifts in center of gravity. There are all kinds of cushions and props that can help pregnant women relax comfortably on a massage table, no matter what their dimensions. Contrary to the old tale, massaging the feet, ankles, back, or even stomach will not cause miscarriage when done appropriately.

Of course, massage therapy, while helpful, isn't a cure-all. Massage can't stop that nosy neighbor from touching your belly every time she stops by, or cravings for hot chips and spearmint milk at 2:00 AM. But it can alleviate some of the symptoms that naturally come with growing a new human being, leaving expectant mothers more free to focus on the hope and joy that make pregnancy such a fabulous stage of life.

Adoptive and Foster Mothers

Biological mothers typically get a nine-month period to prepare for parenthood. Foster and adoptive mothers might wait and wait for news … then find themselves parents of a tot or teen virtually overnight. Plenty of mothers juggle soccer practice with homework, but fewer have to add court dates and social worker visits to the mix. Not only can these realities place unusual stress on foster and adoptive moms, their uncommon nature means that it can also be harder to find much-needed understanding and support.

Massage can help manage this stress, for all members of the family. Symptoms of stress, such as headaches, high blood pressure, and anxiety, can all be alleviated by massage. And for children who come from backgrounds where touch was lacking (or inappropriate), pediatric massage can help them develop a healthy relationship with touch. When foster and adoptive mothers learn some of these techniques for themselves, it can also be a way for children and their new parents to bond.

Mothers of Young Children

Unlike pregnant mothers, who often feel like their motherhood draws too much attention to themselves, society tells mothers of young children that their role is all about their children first, second, and last. Getting up in the middle of the night to change a leaking diaper? Chasing a toddler into the street? Taking time off work to care for a kindergartener with an ear infection? No matter, it's not about you, mom. It's about your kids.

It's true, to a point. Who wouldn't make sacrifices for their children? But one factor that can contribute to a healthy, happy childhood is a healthy, happy mother, and every person deserves to take steps towards their own well being, mothers too!

Massage therapy can help the body rest and recuperate from the effects of a busy schedule, interrupted sleep, and the physical strain of lifting and interacting with growing children. It also provides precious time for moms to focus on their own needs, apart from the responsibilities of mothering. And for those mothers who find themselves dealing with the very real condition of postpartum depression, massage may also play a role (although far from the only one) in an appropriate treatment plan.

Mums who are not mums

For women who don’t have children, by choice or circumstance, Mothers Day can be melancholy. There is great joy in being a Favourite Aunt, Baby Spoiler, and Super Supporter of all her friends with children, but we don’t have specific days to celebrate those roles. Women without children don’t always get all that snuggle time with little ones that raises oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. Massage is a great way to get the happy chemicals pumping.  If there’s a woman in your life who loves your children, or makes your job as a parent better or easier, Mothers Day is a great time to recognize her. 

Get your favourite mum(s) a massage gift certificate here massagemargaretriver.com. It’s easy, fast, and a gift she’ll love!

And to the mothers out there reading this, on Mothers Day and every day … here's to you.

Have a Stress Less Day, 

Nicola

Four ways to keep stress at bay this Autumn

As much as we enjoy the falling leaves and cooler weather of April, there can be a bit of a dark cloud hanging in the autumn sky. Often the first few weeks of the month are a filled with planning and organising as the April school holidays loom, and a rush of new schedules as the kids’ winter sports seasons fire up. 

Maybe that’s why April is Stress Awareness Month; to remind us to take care of ourselves, and not let stress go unchecked.

Meditation

Meditation does not have to be about pretzeled legs, chanting, and reaching enlightenment. It can simply be about creating a moment of stillness in your mind as a way to become more relaxed. Just one minute, 60 seconds of meditation, can dramatically improve your mood, your productivity and the quality of your day.

Exercise

It can be tough to make time for exercise when the schedule gets tight and tensions get high. But that's when it becomes even more important. Exercise can relieve the physical symptoms of stress like fatigue, pain, and moodiness. If you can't make time for daily workout, try to fit a 5-10 minute walk outside into some part of your day. A little goes a long way when you need it.

Giggle and hum

Both laughter and music can lower the blood pressure. In fact, this study in 2011 showed that 3 months of laughter or music therapy resulted in the same drop in blood pressure that could be achieved with a low-salt diet, losing 10 pounds, or taking a blood-pressure-lowering medication. 

So cue up the "Who's on first?" or dance around with your kids while making dinner and work some giggling and humming into your day.

Massage

Regular massage can improve sleep, relieve headaches, reduce muscle pain, and improve moods. Plus, massage feels good. When you feel good, you play more, work more efficiently, and take better care of the people you love. Schedule a massage now to prepare for a busy (and fun) autumn!

Commit to taking care of yourself this Autumn! You may be surprised with the results.

Have a Stress Less Day!

Nicola