Tag: health benefits

The Benefits Of Massage

Feeling stressed? Maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a massage. They really can work wonders!  Massages relieve stress, reduce anxiety, promote relaxation and can even help you sleep better. And that’s not all…

What makes massages so great? Well, they have a whole range of health benefits – both physical and mental. Massages can be used to manage pain, help heal injuries, speed up recovery, and promote overall wellness.

I’m most definitely a fan of massage and a great believer in taking time out to look after yourself.   I found that a regular massage does my body and mind the world of good.

It Helps You Feel Good

Massage has numerous physical and mental benefits.  Research shows it can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, relax your muscles and increase the production of endorphins. Both serotonin and dopamine are released through massage. That’s why you feel so calm by the time you’re done. Through physical touch, massages produce feelings of caring, comfort and connection too.  I try to indulge in the aromatherapy massage regularly because how wonderful I feel afterwards.  It leaves me relaxed, refreshed and revived!

It’s Good For Recovery & Stress Busting

You might think that massage is just used for sore muscles and aching joints but actually massage is wonderful for a number of different ailments.  Yes, many years ago massage was purely used in alternative medicine but nowadays it is regular practice in the medical world and certainly, many medical procedures involve massage for full recovery.  This is because massage is especially efficient for loosening muscles, alleviating pain and it’s also a superb stress-buster.  It’s especially calming and helpful in reducing stress levels, bringing a feeling of relaxation.   For those who suffer with insomnia, a regular massage can  help to induce sleep in the right circumstances.

Massages also have a number of health benefits for athletes and people who exercise regularly

Massage can increase range of motion and flexibility, decrease muscle stiffness and soreness after exercise and even help prevent injuries. Just make sure to give yourself a few rest days before getting one. It’s important to make sure you don’t have any lingering aches, pains or serious injuries first.

If you work at a desk, getting a massage is a great way to relieve postural stress and counteract imbalances caused by sitting. They can help manage lower back pain and relieve tension in the neck and shoulders.  Studies show that massages can decrease the frequency and severity of tension headaches too.  Headache sufferers often report a dramatic reduction in attacks.

It’s Wonderful For Your Skin

A very good facialist will usually massage the skin, neck and shoulders during a treatment.  This is because massage is well-known for boosting a flagging complexion.  It’s excellent for circulation too, stimulating nerve endings and pumping blood around the body.  This helps your body to rid itself of toxins and impurities.  As well as luxurious moisturisers and serums, facial massage is one of the reasons why your skin glows with good health after a session.  My skin definitely looks plumper and firmer after facial massage!  If you’re looking for a natural way to beat lines and wrinkles, I can’t recommend facial massage enough.   It slows down the aging process, prevents pigmentation and halts sun damage.

It’s A Fat-Buster

Believe it or not, some massages are especially designed for digestive problems, they reduce bloating and swelling. When an experienced masseuse applies pressure to your body, it creates a gentle heat.  This heat speeds up the breakdown of fat and helps you to digest food better hence the belief that it’s good for digestive disorders.  Of course, when a masseuse uses pressure on specific areas this helps them to stretch out muscles gently and increases flexibility.  I believe that regular massage gives my muscles better definition,  and  help reduce body fat.

It’s Good For Overall Body Health

You may have heard of lymphatic drainage and for you to feel healthy your lymph system needs to work efficiently.  When we are run down or feeling tired, our lymphatic system doesn’t work as well as it should.   This is why we experience lethargy.  The lymphatic system is essential in ridding the body of waste.  When it doesn’t work properly, our tissues swell up with waste, affecting our immune system and making us more susceptible to mild illnesses.  A good lymphatic masseuse will stimulate the system to operate effectively by applying gentle pressure on specific areas.  When I  feel low on energy or have recently suffered from illness or just need a wellbeing boost this type of massage is my favorite!

 

Massage today is becoming so popular that you can enjoy it almost anywhere you go!  I remember being at the airport recently and noting that massage therapists were available before flight and even in-flight!  For me there’s no excuse to avoid it, it’s just a matter of building it into my schedule.  The positive mental and physical benefits are enormous – I’d love to know what you think?

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The Health Benefits Of Traditional Thanksgiving Foods

With Thanksgiving just around the corner (on November 24th) many of you are right in the middle of menu-planning.  There’s lots of temptation to go over-board with food and of course, it’s important to eat and enjoy fabulous seasonal ingredients.  However, if you (or your guests) are weight-watching or paying attention to cholesterol then it’s important to take into account what food you’re preparing for good health.  Rather than limiting yourself to just one small slice of white turkey meat and a single sweet potato you can indulge.  Just be as aware of the pitfalls of Thanksgiving food as well as the health benefits (there are many).  Thanksgiving food is good for you in moderation; it’s also good for skin health.  Let’s investigate!

Turkey

It’s hard to resist turkey especially when it’s roasted to perfection!  Turkey is a protein so it’s excellent for your muscles and it keeps you fuller for longer. It also has the minerals zinc and selenium so it’s equally good for skin because both of these aid in cell renewal.  Avoid the crispy skin and fat and go for lean pieces of white meat if you are weight-watching or lowering cholesterol.

Sweet Potatoes

Choose these over roast potatoes because they are lower in calories and packed with wonderful vitamins.  Naturally sweet, they contain lycopene, an antioxidant that is good for boosting a youthful, clear, complexion. Additionally, sweet potatoes contain potassium which is excellent for lowering blood pressure.   Load up!

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Beans

Green beans are most definitely guilt-free because they contain few calories and they are full of nutrients and goodness. Perhaps prepare a green bean soup or make a light version of green bean casserole.  Alternatively why not serve green beans alone sautéed in low-calorie olive oil with pecan nuts (see below)?

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Apples

If you are watching your weight, try your apples baked with a little cinnamon rather than indulging in a luxurious apple pie. Whichever you choose, apples are an excellent source of vitamins containing A and C so good for skin cell renewal and fighting the aging process.  Don’t skimp on the peel because it’s full of nutrients; just go easy on the whipped cream!

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Cranberries

As with green beans, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy your cranberries because they are intensely good for you.  Packed full of antioxidants they fight against free radicals which attack skin cells.  Not only are they good for your skin, they are excellent for heart health and there are studies showing they are beneficial for brain health.  Cranberries are excellent for the urinary tract – flushing out toxins and impurities so have cranberry juice available.  Try making a homemade cranberry sauce with low-sugar ingredients; it’s far healthier than store-bought jars.

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Pumpkin

The vibrant orange color of pumpkin is a clue as to what’s inside it – carotene.  Carotene is an excellent nutrient, good for eye and skin health because it’s loaded with vitamins A and C, both are wrinkle-busters!  Low in calories; combine it with healthy ingredients such as fat-free milk or evaporated milk to make a delicious, sweet pumpkin soup.

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Pecans

You can’t celebrate Thanksgiving without the humble pecan nut!  Feel good about eating these too because they are excellent for your heart and there are various studies to show that pecans can lower bad cholesterol levels.  Full of fibre, they act as an appetite suppressant and keep you feeling satisfied however perhaps lay off the pie if you’re dieting or have half a slice.  A regular slice of pecan pie contains 500 calories but if you can’t live without it at your Thanksgiving Table (and it’s hard not to have it) choose healthier ingredients when you bake yours.

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Of course, Thanksgiving isn’t only about the food on the table, it’s about being together with family and friends and giving thanks for the beautiful land we live in.  There are so many psychological benefits to holding a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, the delicious smells that invite loved ones into our homes, the sounds of laughter and chatter filling the room and the pleasant ritual that we all look forward to year after year.  It’s a time to relax, kick back and be grateful for what we have, so Happy Thanksgiving 2016!