Body Wellness Blog

We all know the feeling; it starts with a scratch on the back of the throat, then you’re tired, and then you cough. Yep, you’ve got a cold. It’s a pretty common feeling around this time of year, between your children bringing germs home from school and the added stress of the season changing — it is a popular time for the common cold to just pop into your life. However, before you reach for the over the counter decongestants and cough medicine — try some natural cold relief like massage therapy.

Heal with Stress Relief 

Did you know that is one of the most harmful things to your immune system? When the seasons change, we are more susceptible to colds because we all have a little more anxiety and stress. Regular massage therapy promotes deep breathing that helps lower your stress levels as well as your blood pressure. While reducing your stress, massage also increases endorphins that work to build up your immune system to help you fight off the pesky cold.

A Quick Recovery 

If you do get a cold, massage therapy can also help you recover faster. Massage increases the flow of blood and fluids that help nourish your body. Increasing blood flow also helps your body fight off germs and toxins in your system and contributes to removing any waste or germs from your body. If your cold symptoms include congestion in your head and chest, you’ll also feel relief and notice draining after your massage.

Although massage is good for colds, it’s also important to be mindful of your massage therapist and communicate your symptoms. As always, drink plenty of fluids and get rest with a cold, especially after a massage. Massage therapy helps keep your immune system healthy and ready for the cold season. The next time you start sniffling, try a relaxing massage for natural cold relief.

As your year starts to ramp up and life gets busy, it’s a good week to check in on your New Year’s resolution. Have you started your new healthy lifestyle? Are you eating right? Exercising? Making healthy choices day-in and day-out? If not, now’s the time to start. If you’re looking for something that will help your mind and your body throughout your resolution, try regular massage therapy.

Massage & Wellness
When thinking of a fitness resolution, you’ve most likely considered a workout routine and healthy eating. Massage can play an intricate part in your 2018 fitness plan. Regular massage therapy will help improve your performance, balance and help you recover faster from your workouts. It doesn’t matter if your goal is to run a marathon or relax after a long week, incorporating massage therapy will help you feel better.

Physical Benefits
Your cardiovascular system and your muscular system improve with the help of massage therapy. Regular massage increases your blood flow to your heart, which helps produce oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and contributes to removing toxins. Having a healthier cardiovascular system helps your muscular system. The increase in oxygen and blood flow throughout your body can relieve muscle tension, help with faster recovery and reduce any soreness. You’ll also notice more flexibility and have an increase in your range of motion.

Psychological Benefits
Your overall health and wellness encompasses much more than your physical body. For a strong health and wellness resolution, you must think about your mind as well. So often we get caught up in life’s stresses and become filled with anxiety. Part of your health and wellness resolution should include relaxing your mind. Massage is the perfect way to help relieve stress and anxiety. Massage can increase dopamine and serotonin levels, which are directly linked to reducing stress.

Think about the resolutions you’ve made for this year and make sure that massage therapy is part of your health and wellness routine. Custom massage therapy from Jodi and Inner Focus Massage & Bodywork will help. Whether it’s to heal pain, reduce stress or just to take the time to yourself. Call Jodi with question of to set up an appointment 701-238-8257 or view her website:  www.InnerFocusMassage.com

You know that feeling you get when someone really knows you?  You don’t have to explain, you don’t have to provide endless background information, and you can just enjoy the relationship that you’ve established.  It’s pretty great, right?  We think so, too.  Beyond the fact that it just feels good to be known, however, there are some other important benefits to going to the same massage therapist for all of your massages.

1. You are unique, as are your massage needs. 
   Massage is not a one-size-fits-all operation.  Going to a cookie-cutter generic massage studio where every customer receives the same kind of massage at the same depth with the same amount of pressure and time might feel good, but it’s likely not as healing and therapeutic as it could be for you.  When you are confident that your therapist knows exactly where you carry your stress, and is familiar with your healing knee sprain, and knows that your mid-back is still just a little ticklish, it’s much easier to sink into your massage and truly relax and enjoy.
2. You don’t know it all.
   There are a surprising number of things that are happening with your muscles and tendons that your massage therapist has become aware of, and may not even mention to you.   For example, your massage therapist may know that you clench your jaw when stressed, or that you are a chronic stomach sleeper, all of which can strain your muscles in unique ways.  If you see a different therapist in a different studio every time, these “unknowns” can fall by the wayside, and you may not be getting the best treatment possible.
3. Change happens. 
   Change is inevitable, and it’s no different for your body.  Muscles shift, become weaker, and get stronger on a regular basis.  Not only will your massage therapist be able to tell right away if there is a change in your body’s usual tightness and hotspots and be able to discuss it with you, but they will often be the first to know about other, more serious changes and concerns.

Jodi has been practicing since 2008 and has many regular clients. They know she knows them…and they trust her. If you see the benefit of working with a true professional who is concerned about your overall health and comfort, call Jodi with questions or for an appointment. Chances are after the first massage, you’ll be back 😊. Call 701-238-8257 of go to her website InnerFocusMassage.com

Your stress level.  Your tight muscles.  Your emotional well-being.  Your mood.  The laundry list of reasons why you keep your regular appointments with your massage therapist is plenty long. This is for good reason – it seems like every time you turn around, there’s another article about why massage is great for you.  All you know is that after you’ve had an appointment with your massage therapist, you feel better. But have you ever considered the “hidden” benefits of massage? The ones you can’t necessarily feel or see? This February, during American Heart Month, let’s take into consideration the positive benefits that massage might hold for your heart – after all, the hardest-working muscle in your body should feel some love too, right?

Since 1964, our country has recognized the importance of calling attention to heart health, by recognizing American Heart Month. Heart disease is a serious matter, and is worth having a month devoted to its scary reality. As the federal declaration notes, “cardiovascular disease — including heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure — is responsible for one out of every three deaths. It is the No. 1 killer of American women and men, and it is a leading cause of serious illness and disability.”

It’s no surprise, then, that as a country we’re generally well-versed on a few things that make for a healthier heart. By now you know that fried foods, high-fat animal products and partially hydrogenated oils are heart health no-no’s; and that antioxidant-rich produce, whole grains and healthy fats are heart heroes. Well let us school you on one more effective way to care for your heart.

It just so happens that your heart can greatly benefit from massage, just like so many other parts of your body. For one, receiving regular massages can lower blood pressure, which decreases your chance of having a heart attack.  In fact, a study found that participants in a who received one  massage experienced a drop in blood pressure by 10 mg Hg, and a drop in heart rate by 10 beats per minute. This is the same effect as taking blood pressure medication long-term, after just one session. Disclaimer: not everyone would see these same results.

Massage also improves circulation, which can strengthen your heart, and also makes your heart’s job a little easier. One more impressive thing about massage? It lowers the stress hormones in your body.  Specifically, massage can attack the stress hormone cortisol, which, if left unchecked and elevated, can dramatically raise the likelihood of death due to a stroke or heart attack.

Keep in mind that in situations where blood pressure, or other aspects of heart health, are critically off balance, massage may very well not be a suitable substitute for medication. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, always consult your physician about the best course of action for your treatment. In many cases, however, massage can complement the effects of medication, or even lessen the need for it.

It can be hard to keep track of all the dos and don’ts of taking care of yourself. It’s nice to know that simply by keeping a regular massage schedule, you can accomplish so much of what it means to have proper self-care. This month, as you contemplate the different ways to treat yourself right, put your heart into it. And your heart, with its tireless pumping and working, will treat you well right back. Call Jodi right now for a massage appointment at Inner Focus Massage. Her phone number is 701-238-8257. She’s conveniently located in north Fargo.

The time has come to reflect on the year that was in 2017 and begin making plans for 2018. It’s officially the time of the season for New Year’s Resolutions. How do you go about making your resolution? Do you think about a couple of things such as lose weight or save money, or is your goal to get a new job?

Before you start throwing around ideas, stop and think for a minute about how you are going to make your resolution happen. The first thing you should do is lay out a plan for your resolution plan. Having a plan for your health and wellness resolutions will give you a better chance at making your resolution a reality.

Use these tips to make your resolution actually last:

Make a Measurable Goal
One of the biggest reasons why people give up on their resolutions is that they create goals that are vague or completely out of reach. If there is a particular goal, you will be more motivated to meet it. Think of it as a finish line that you’ll push yourself to cross. Rather than saying, “I want to lose weight in 2018,” say, “I want to lose 10 pounds in 2018.”

Set Short-Term Goals Along the Journey
Create short-term goals along with your yearly goals. Having a shorter goal offers you a “check-in” point. It will give you time to assess where you’re at with your resolution. If you’ve fallen off your track, then you can adjust and get back to your goals. When you achieve your smaller goal, you’ll be motivated to continue your path.

Reward Yourself 
Don’t forget to plan to reward yourself as you accomplish minor achievements along the way. Celebrating your wins will help you keep going and achieving your overall big picture goals. After all, the point of a resolution is to improve something about yourself, keep it positive as you move through the year.

Will Your Resolution Make You Happy?
It seems like a silly question, but make sure that your resolution will make you truly happy. Actually take a moment to think about it when you’re making your plan; will this truly make me happier? If the resolution is not significant enough to you, it’s that much easier for your to forget about it.

Don’t Obsess, Prioritize
While it’s important to keep your New Year’s Resolutions as one of your top priorities, it’s also important not to obsess over them. Only check yourself when you set your goal dates, not every day. For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, you won’t see results if you step on the scale every day. This could lead to you getting depressed and giving up on your resolution if you do not see big results. And don’t let your resolution consume your life either. Wait to check your short-term goals to check your status.

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to a healthy mind and body. Of course with hectic schedules, kids, and many other distractions, getting enough sleep is easier said than done. Here are some tips on how to fall asleep from the National Sleep Foundation.

1. Keep a Standard Bedtime and Wake Up Time
   Yes, even on weekends. Standard bedtimes and wake up times help keep your body’s internal clock regulated.
2. Practice a Relaxing Bedtime Ritual
   Stress, excitement and anxiety make it tough to fall asleep; try doing an activity that will help you relax and unwind before bed. Make sure the lights are dim to help you relax even more.
3. Avoid Naps, Especially in the Afternoon
   A good nap may get you through your busy day, but if you cannot fall asleep at night, you should get rid of your napping routine.
4. Exercise Daily
   A good workout will help you sleep better at night. The harder, the better and you can do it at any time of the day – just don’t let it get in the way of your sleep.
5. How’s Your Sleep Environment?
   Take a good look at your bedroom. Is it ideal for sleeping? Make it cool — between 60 and 67 degrees. Is there noise? Too much light? Electronic devices within easy reach?
6.  Avoid Alcohol, Cigarettes and Heavy Meals
   These things can all disrupt your sleep. Eating a big and/or spicy meal can cause indigestion that could keep you up or even wake you up in the middle of the night.

Have a Happy Holiday season from Jodi at Inner Focus Massage.