by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Jul 28, 2017 | Holistic Health
The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive (“eustress”) — such as a getting a job promotion or being given greater responsibilities. This positive stress can keep us alert and ready to avoid danger. Stress becomes negative (“distress”) when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation in between. As a result, the person becomes overworked and stress-related tension builds. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress may bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.
When you encounter a perceived threat — a large dog barks at you during your morning walk, for instance — your hypothalamus sets off an alarm system in your body. Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain’s use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues.
Cortisol also curbs functions that would be nonessential or detrimental in a fight-or-flight situation. It alters immune system responses and suppresses the digestive system, the reproductive system and growth processes. This complex natural alarm system also communicates with regions of your brain that control mood, motivation, and fear.
Once a perceived threat has passed, hormone levels return to normal. As adrenaline and cortisol levels drop, your heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline levels, and other systems resume their regular activities.
But when stressors are always present and you constantly feel under attack, that fight-or-flight reaction stays turned on. The subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt almost all your body’s processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems.
Liver and pancreas issues. While under stress, the liver produces extra blood sugar (glucose) to give a boost of energy for the fight or flight response. While under constant stress, the liver does not know to stop producing the extra glucose. Your pancreas may not be able to keep up with this extra production of glucose and can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes.
Digestive system. Your digestive system is a large network of nerves that is sensitive to the stress. An increase in stomach acid due to chronic stress. This leads to an increase in heartburn and acid reflux. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is thought to be caused by constant stress. IBS is identified as pain and bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Ulcers are not caused by stress, but are more likely to occur due to a decrease in your immune system.
Weight issues. The body produces high levels of cortisol during high stress situations. This hormone increases the appetite for consumption to gain quick energy (for the flight reaction) and increases blood sugars to give a quick boost of energy without having to consume energy. The increased appetite leads to a cravings for foods high in sugars and fats and a tendency towards overeating. When the excess glucose produced by the liver is not burned off due to exercise (via fight or flight), the body stores it as fat in the body’s tissues.
Immune system. Stress stimulates the immune system, which can be a plus for immediate situations. This stimulation can help you avoid infections and heal wounds. But over time, stress hormones will weaken your immune system and reduce your body’s response to foreign invaders. People under chronic stress are more susceptible to viral illnesses like the flu and the common cold, as well as other infections. Stress can also increase the time it takes you to recover from an illness or injury.
Mental health. Chronic stress means that the body’s alarm system never gets turned off. The increase in the hormones associated with the fight or flight reactions can cause a disruption in your sleep cycle. A lack of sleep means that the body is not healing as it should. This constant feeling of stress leads to an increase in irritability, depression, and anxiety. These mental health issues can lead to withdrawing socially which will then enhance the cycle of depression and anxiety.
Learning ways to deal with the stress in your life can be beneficial to your general health and the health of your relationships. Identify your triggers and find ways to deal with or eliminate these triggers. Deep breathing and yoga can help relieve the stress. Regularly scheduled self-care like facials and massage are effective ways to take a break from the daily grind and various stressors.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Jul 28, 2017 | Massage
Is your day full of deadlines and expectations? What about the people, maybe smaller versions of yourself, which are depending on you to take care of their every need? In everyone’s day there are deadlines, long lines, stress, and even the unexpected that can throw another curveball into your tight schedule. In addition to allowing some “you” time, a massage is a good way to relieve stress and provide relaxation. So how do you know when it is time to schedule a message?
Feeling the funk. Relaxing and letting go for an hour can feel like a mini vacation. Add in the benefit of a massage to work and relax the numerous muscles in your body and it can feel like a glorious mini vacation. Studies have shown that getting a massage on a regular basis can boost your immune system. In addition to stimulating your immune system, a massage releases endorphins that can help combat some of the effects of depression. A review of more than a dozen massage studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine concludes that massage therapy relieves depression and anxiety by affecting the body’s biochemistry.
Pain in the neck. If you are having chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain you should seek the assistance of a medical doctor. However if you work at a computer all day, there will be times that your neck and shoulders will get tight and start to hurt. Maybe all your stress is depositing in your back muscles causing pain. Visiting a massage therapist on a regular basis can help loosen those muscles. By relieving the strain on these muscles, you can help to prevent long term damage that may need more than massage to alleviate.
Ache in the head. Do you suffer from headaches? 23 million Americans suffer from migraines and can be caused by a wide spectrum of triggers. In addition to migraine headaches, there are sinus headaches, cluster headaches, and tension headaches. IF you suspect that your headache is being caused by anything other than daily stress, please consult your doctor before seeing your massage therapist. Just like the stress in your muscles, a massage can help alleviate the stress or muscle strain that could be causing your headache.
Tummy trouble. Your bowels have so many nerves that it is often referred to as the body’s second brain. The actions and reactions of your bowels are directly affected by your mental state. The more stress you have or are feeling the more sensitive your stomach is. As with many other conditions, the less stress you feel, the less pain you feel. Massage releases the power of your body’s inner pain reliever: endorphins. When you receive massage, your autonomic nervous system is affected so pain signals are slowed or stopped. In short, massage calms things down.
Sleeplessness. Our bodies heal and recover when we sleep. So what happens when we aren’t getting enough sleep? Well… our bodies don’t heal. And the stress gets worse. When the stress gets worse, we have a harder time getting to or staying asleep. Massages help promote relaxation and a release of stress and pain. The less stress and pain the easier it is to sleep and allow the body to heal as it should.
Massages are intended to spur the body’s natural relaxation response. So how do you know when it is time to schedule a massage? When you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just in need of a little “you” time. You’re horizontal and you don’t have to do anything but enjoy an hour break from the mundane routines that propel and stress us in our overstimulated society. Scheduling regular messages can help keep these symptoms and issues at bay and from becoming too overwhelming. So relax. Let go. And go get a massage.
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Jul 28, 2017 | Essential Oils
There are so many different commercial air fresheners out there to choose between. From “Summer Breeze” to “Tropical Getaway” the variations are seemingly limitless. However, with these commercial products often comes a long list of chemicals that we cannot even begin to pronounce. These chemicals are created to artificially achieve a desired scent, but often do not even actually smell like the origin of the product itself. It is like the banana flavored taffy that is so overly sweet that it does not actually even taste like a real banana. There is nothing authentic about that!
Many of us love to freshen up out homes and make them smell new and vibrant, but how do we do that without spraying these harmful chemicals into the air that we breathe? Essential oils! Essential oils are created from the extraction of a plant or herbs natural oils and properties and then distilled into a concentrated useful product. Not only do they actually smell like the real materials that they come from, but also offer physical and mental benefits as well. Your grocery store air freshener will not do that!
So how do you take these little bottles of essential oils and make your home smell fresh like summer? We have put together a list of different oil friendly methods to accomplish this while also using them for more than just air refreshers
Diffuse
This is one of the easiest methods and usually the first for new oil users. A diffuser is a device that mixes your oils with water and turns them into a vapor to widely disperse your oils into the air. The beauty of this is that you can mix a variety of oils at a time and customize your own favorite scents. One of our favorites is a mix of lemon, lavender, and peppermint. Not only does this smell fresh and vibrant, but is also known as the allergy trio. The combination of these three oils helps relieve seasonal allergies and help brighten your home at the same time!
Clean
Did you know that you can use your oils to clean your home? Thanks to many oil’s antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties they make for an exceptional companion to your house keeping needs. Do you have a crusty burned cookie sheet? Put a couple of drops of lemon oil on the pan and spread evenly. Let sit for up to an hour and the grime will be easier to wipe away. Orange oil is great for wood furniture and flooring. Mix in a glass spray bottle with distilled water and witch hazel (mixing agent for the oil and water) and spray on your floor before mopping. You can also put a couple of drops on a washcloth and rub into wood furniture to nourish and restore its rich character.
Wear
Wearing oils is another great way to enjoy your oils wherever you go. The majority of essential oils available are able to be applied topically and offer a huge variety of health benefits as well. Lavender is great for easing feelings of anxiousness or stress and can be applied under the jaw line and the wrists. Peppermint is great for improving your mental focus and giving you that second wind in the midafternoon. Always be sure to check the safety rules for the oils you use, especially when using a new to you oil.
Spray
If you prefer to just be able to do a little spritz of fragrance when you feel like it, spraying is a great option. You can buy little 2oz glass spray bottles online at minimal cost and create a large variety of scents to choose from. When mixing, put a few drops of each of the oils you want into the bottle first. Then fill the bottle to at least a third of the way with witch hazel which serves as a mixing agent for the oils and water. Fill the rest of the way with filtered water and presto! An all-natural uniquely you customized air freshener to keep your home smelling like summer all year long!
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Jul 7, 2017 | Massage
There are many different types of therapies out there that it can be hard to understand which may be best for you and your unique body. From acupuncture to prescription medications the methods of treatment can be vast for a variety of symptoms and conditions. The process of finding a great fit for you and your physical needs can be quite daunting, we would love to help you find what is best for you and your health journey.
Although this specific therapy regimen may not be perfect for everyone, there are many holistic benefits that it offers. What am I referring to? Cranial Sacral Massage, also known as Craniosacral therapy. You may not have heard of it, however this practice has been around since the early 1900s. First theorized by the dubbed grandfather of cranial osteopathy William Sutherland, cranial sacral massage has blossomed into a well-accepted form of treatment for many illnesses. Although this method of treatment has been somewhat controversial on whether it is truly effective or not, many patients who have undergone this type of therapy have found relief from their symptoms and have gone on to live full and abundant lives.
Why cranial sacral massage?
Craniosacral massage is a type of bodywork that centers in on your entire spinal system, focusing on light touch and massage to the cranial bones (skull) down your spinal column and all the way to your sacral bones (pelvis). The gentle massage and pulsating movement of hands along these areas is believed to help relieve migraines, back pain, stress, depression, and many more conditions related to this bodily system. Within our brain and spinal column, a fluid known as cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flows and lubricates the sensitive central nerve fibers of our bodies. Through the external movement along the central nervous system, healthy fluid flow can take place and properly lubricate each aspect of the system. This also helps relieve muscle tension that can prohibit proper alignment and movement of the vertebrae causing a multitude of related symptoms and conditions.
Here is just a short list of related health concerns that cranial sacral massage has been known to benefit:
- Chronic pain
- Ear infections
- Jaw pain (TMJ)
- Migraines
- Joint stiffness
- Pregnancy related problems
- Autism
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dyslexia
- Spinal cord injuries
- Coordination impairments
- Anger
There are many different benefits from craniosacral therapy. Although it may not be widely accepted as a guaranteed method of treatment, the patient testimonies speak loud and clear. Check out this comprehensive explanation of Cranial Sacral Massage and what it has to offer. Then decide if you too are interested in giving it a try. After all, what do you have to lose?
by UrbanSqueezeWeb | Jul 7, 2017 | US
Stress is an inevitable part of life. It is almost impossible to take away all the stress and anxiety we may feel on a day-to-day basis. Research suggests that more than 90 percent of illness results from stress alone. Decreasing physical and emotional stress is optimal to improving overall health and well-being. When you ask exactly how massage therapy works to benefit people with anxiety and depression, the most accurate answer is “we don’t yet know.” But that’s not to say the benefits aren’t real, we believe that is has something to do with the sense of touch.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 40 million adult Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety and its disorders shape the quality of life and the health of those individuals affected. Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations including anxiety.
First, you need to find a massage therapist who knows how exactly to deal with problems associated with anxiety issues. This may entail some research or even some trial and error until you find the right therapist for you. It would also be beneficial for you and your chosen therapist for you to tell him or her about the specific results that you are after. This is why it is crucial to search for a therapist who also knows how to listen to his or her clients. Once you have established a connection with your therapist, you can try different types of massage and find which ones work best for your needs. Relaxation massages are best for treating anxiety, but you can try just about any type of massage to help calm your nerves.
A review of more than a dozen massage studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine concludes that massage therapy relieves depression and anxiety by affecting the body’s biochemistry. In a series of studies including approximately 500 men, women, and children with depression or stress problems, researchers measured the stress hormone cortisol in participants before and immediately after massage and found that the therapy lowered levels by up to 53%. (Cortisol can drive up blood pressure and blood sugar levels and suppress the immune system.) Massage also increased serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that help reduce depression and anxiety.
Massage has long been known to enhance relaxation. While massage alone is an effective method for relaxation, studies suggest that massage with essential oils (called aromatherapy), may result in improved sleep quality, more stable mood, increased mental capacity, and reduced anxiety. Clinical studies have found participants who received massage with aromatherapy felt less anxious and more positive than participants who received massage alone. We recommend trying the AromaTouch technique .
A 60-minute massage can lower cortisol (a hormone produced under stress) by an average of 30 percent. When cortisol levels decline, serotonin (an anti-pain hormone) increases by an average of 28 percent after receiving a massage. By lowering cortisol and increasing serotonin, you’re boosting your body’s ability to fight off pain, anxiety and feelings of sadness in addition to boosting the effectiveness of your immune system.
Stress is an inevitable part of life – it is almost impossible to take away all the stress and anxiety we may feel on a day-to-day basis. Keep in mind, too, that massage helps tackle the physical consequences of your anxiety like near-constant jaw-clenching, balling of fists, and shoulder-hunching. Research suggests that more than 90 percent of illness results from stress alone. Decreasing physical and emotional stress is optimal to improving overall health and well-being – schedule your healing and life improving massage today.
