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Benefits of Massage and Swimming

Swimming is perhaps one of the great full-body workouts for any fitness level. It is the perfect combination of muscle and cardio conditioning. Plus, in the summer it provides an excellent way to stay cool. Did you know that massage therapy can play a significant role in your swimming technique as well as in helping your muscles recover after a swim?

Increased Range of Motion
Massage therapy will improve blood circulation throughout your body. When swimming you are using your entire body, with increased circulation your muscles will loosen up, you’ll be more flexible and eventually you’ll have a greater range of motion. This will increase your time in the pool and allowing you to be a strong swimmer.

Restore Mobility to Injured Muscles 
With an exercise that requires a lot of muscle movement and stretching, it is easy to get tightness and even knots in your muscles. Regular massage therapy will help will help repair any damaged muscle tissue.

Reduce Risk of Overuse Injury
With so many muscle groups working hard repeatedly, swimmers can experience injury and muscle fatigue relatively easy. Massage therapy will help keep your swimming muscles loose, helping to avoid injury from overuse.

Quick Recovery 
After any exercise, you’ll feel tightness. It is best to stretch to get the blood flowing again and to avoid lactic acid build-up. After a swim, make sure to stretch properly. A post swim massage would be very beneficial for muscle and mental recovery.

Improve Mental Focus
In general, when your body is relaxed, your mind is at ease as well. It’s only fitting that massage therapy helps ease the mind for swimmers which allowing them to focus when they are in the water.

As you approach your summer swimming regimen, think about massage therapy to help improve your swimming fitness levels. Jodi at Inner Focus Massage & Bodywork will help you with treatments that will help maximize your swimming exercise benefits and while relaxing those tired muscles. Call for an appointment today 701-238-8257.

Have a Happy Heart: Tips How to Feel Good About Yourself

Do you feel good about yourself? Seriously, it’s a question that we often laugh off with an, “of course.” But it’s a very serious question. So often, people overlook the connection between mind, heart and body. If your mind and heart aren’t happy than your body isn’t happy and as well as the other way around. You may be sad, stressed or just not have that much confidence in yourself. Here are some tips you can do to help you have a healthy heart.

Don’t be Afraid to Compliment Yourself 

Look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself a compliment. There’s nothing wrong with that. We often think maybe patting ourselves on the back is selfish and we should focus on others. But we forget about complimenting ourselves. Do it.

Be Yourself, Don’t Compare

It’s crazy, and we’re all guilty of comparing ourselves to others, whether we like it or not. Stop doing it. You should focus on being the best you can be, not wishing were someone else or have something someone has.

Exercise Frequently

Get out and exercise at least 30 minutes a few times a week.  If you improve your physical shape, you’ll have more confidence and feel better about yourself.

Smile

It’s a simple as smiling every day. A smile makes you feel good, and it’s infectious. It will make others around you feel good.

Treat Yourself to Something Nice

You work hard so treat yourself to something nice. Inner Focus Massage & Bodyworks can pamper you with a relaxing, therapeutic massage. Refresh your mind and your body with a personalized massage from Jodi at Inner Focus Massage. Call for an appointment or with question – 701-238-8257.

Tips to Stay Cool During Hot Summer Nights

As we move into summer, temperatures start soring and can make for some uncomfortable nights. Seriously, there’s nothing worse than not being able to sleep because you’re too hot. Lack of sleep is never a good thing for your physical or mental health. Yes, you could simply open the window, but we all know, sometimes the breeze just isn’t blowing. Use these tips to stay cool and sleep better.

Cotton is Cooler 
When it is hot, light-weight colored cotton sheets tend to be cooler than silk or polyester. They tend to be breathable and allow for a little ventilation if a breeze happens to blow through.

Freeze the Sheets 
Most people probably wouldn’t think of placing their sheets in the freezer; however this works. Fold your sheets and place them in a plastic bag a few minutes before bed. Right before you hop into bed, make your bed with your cold sheets. This will give you a quick cool down as you jump into bed.

Hydrate 
If you are tossing and turning at night, you could be a bit dehydrated. Try drinking a glass of cold water before bed. Be careful not to drink too much or you might have to wake up for a bathroom call.

Shower Before Bed 
Usually, you would not think of a cold shower as a way to relax and fall asleep. However, when temperatures reach scorching and unbearable, a cold shower will bring down your core body temperature and rinse off any sweat. You’ll be more comfortable throughout the night.

Camp at Home 
A fun family activity is to pitch a tent in the backyard. It’s a great way to have a little family adventure and keep cool.

Move The Cooking Outside 
When it’s hot, the last thing you want to do is heat your house with a warm oven. Try cooking meals outside on the grill. This will help keep your home cooler in the evenings.

Use Natural Light 
Reducing the use of lights will help your utility bill and help cool down your house. It is best to let natural light in and use as little electricity as possible.

Another way to make sure you are getting a long comfortable night’s sleep is to get regular massage therapy. Calling Jodi at Inner Focus Massage to make an appointment should be on your “to do” list. Call 701-238-8257.

Summer Activities Can Take a Toll on Your Body: 3 Benefits of Regular Massage

At last. Summer is here, and your days are filled with nothing but hammocks in the warm breeze, tall glasses of iced tea sipped in the afternoon shade, and a towering stack of novels to be devoured, one by one. Right?? Ummmm, no. The truth is that summer can be hard work. If you’ve got kids, while your days are fun, they’re not quite of the relaxing variety. You spend a lot of time slathering sunscreen on squirmy and unwilling limbs, driving to summer camps and sports, carrying coolers packed with snacks for, what seems like, miles, playing at the park, and giving piggy-back rides. There are plenty of sweaty days at the ball field or on hikes where, after 25 minutes, you end up carrying, pack-mule style, 3 hats, 4 water bottles, an insisted-upon superhero toy and his accompanying vehicle, some granola bars, and a helium balloon.

Kids or no kids, your evenings, and weekends are likely comprised of plenty of weeding, mowing, and group sports. Add a few hiking or camping trips, with the required hauling and carrying, loading and unloading of needed items. Indeed, these are fun, exciting activities that many wait all year for, but it’s no wonder that summer can leave you feeling a little tired and sore.

In order to keep summer in its proper place of a much-loved and much-anticipated season, it’s important that you keep your body and mind in the best possible condition.  In order to do that, regular summer massage appointments will be exactly what’s needed.

Here are just three benefits of regular therapeutic massage:

  • Cell Recovery
    As you toil, play, and carry, your muscles get strained and develop tiny tears. As your body works to repair these tears, what you feel is sore, aching muscles. Sure, ice can help with the pain and inflammation, but a massage is key to promoting more effective cell recovery and can lessen inflammation more permanently.
  • Self-Care
    After the playground visits with the kids, your neighbor’s BBQ, your sister’s yard makeover project that has somehow become your project, and all of the other endless things you do for others, it’s time to take care of yourself. YOU sometimes become the lowest thing on your priority list, because it seems that the only one impacted is you. However, as you make the time for regular massages, you’ll find that you will be a much better (and happier!) employee, parent, friend, and family member. Self-care is critical for people who care for everyone else.
  • Quiet Time
    Wouldn’t you love an hour of uninterrupted quiet? When you’re on the massage table, there are no lawn mowers, no kids splashing water on your sandwich, no laundry piles in front of you, and no computer. There’s just the sound, perhaps, of soothing music, and the knowledge that you are exactly where you need to be, doing exactly what you need to do.

Summer is wonderful, without a doubt.  Make yours (and your loved one’s) even better by taking care of your muscles, your mind, and your well-being.  Call Jodi at Inner Focus Massage today for some YOU-TIME. 701-238-8257.

Importance of Taking a Full Mind and Body Approach to Wellness

When it comes to your health, do you think about your body or your mind? Do you think of mind and body as one? Well, you should. Your body reacts to how you think, feel and act.

When you get stressed, you may notice that your blood pressure goes up. You might get a headache, experience body aches, or insomnia. If you are depressed, you might be constantly fatigued or lack motivation. All of this is simply your body telling you something is wrong.

Mind and Body Healing
In order to keep your body healthy, you need to keep your mind happy and healthy. One of the best ways to do this is to keep your mind relaxed.

Here are some ideas to help you relax your mind and your body:

  • Balance– Bring balance to your life and do your best to leave work-related stress at the office. Dwelling on something after hours can create stress you do not need. In addition to work-related stress, try not to let stress at home take over your life. Whether it’s taking five minutes for a cup of hot tea and some solitude, or booking a monthly massage to give yourself regularly dedicated time to decompress, find a relaxation technique that helps you release your stress.
  • Exercise– Aside from the obvious healthy effects of a quick workout, incorporating exercise into your day is a great way to relieve stress.
  • Express Your Feelings– Keeping things bundled up inside can contribute to increased stress levels, lack of sleep and more. Finding a way to express your feelings, whether it’s having a heart-to-heart with a close friend or keeping a regular journal, can help you improve your mental well-being.
  • Relax– Find ways to relax. Get a therapeutic massage to relax your body and your mind completely. A weekly calming personal massage will help ease your muscle tension therefore helping to relax your mind.

Your whole body is connected. For total mind-body healing, you need to work on your entire self. If you are not sleeping or having aches and pains, think about what is going on in your mind. Is there a problem at work? Are you more stressed?

A therapeutic massage from Inner Focus Massage will help ease tension and have you completely relaxed. If this sounds like something that could help you, please call Jodi at Inner Focus Massage with questions or to schedule your appointment: 701-238-8257.

Cure Summer Aches and Pains with Therapeutic Massage

It is only natural that we are more active in the summer than in the winter months. The sun is shining, the weather is enjoyable and we are simply more prone to getting out of the house. It is as if our bodies come out of hibernation. It does not mean that you have to run a marathon — if you do, great — but if not, summer activity can mean just simply walking more, golfing or playing softball. However, is your body ready for your summer activity? If not, you most likely will have some aches and pains after your fun. Regular massage therapy will help prepare and heal your body from aches and pains.

It’s in Your Blood 
One of the main reasons for soreness after any activity is due to blood flow. When your muscles are overworked, your blood becomes restricted from the area. A massage will loosen your muscle tissue allowing your blood to flow freely to the stressed area. This helps heal your muscles and the tension your muscles hold, helping to eliminate soreness.

Get Rid of Acid Build Up 
Also when you are exercising more, you may experience muscle cramps, soreness or even muscle weakness. If so, lactic acid may have built up in your muscles. Therapeutic massage after your activity will help to relieve the acid and provide some much needed pain relief.

Relax Your Mind 
Often when you experience pain, your mind is stressed as well trying to cope with the pain your body is enduring. By treating your aches and pains with therapeutic massage, you’ll help relieve stress in your mind. Massage releases endorphins that naturally relieve pain, and without pain, your mind will be at ease.

There are numerous benefits to therapeutic massage, for both mind and body. Getting a regular massage will help increase the amount of nutrients in your muscles and relieve your pain faster. It’s summer, who wants to be in pain? For a great massage, call Jodi at Inner focus Massage – 701-238-8257. Conveniently located in North Fargo.

Importance of Taking a Full Mind and Body Approach to Wellness

When it comes to your health, do you think about your body or your mind? Do you think of mind and body as one? Well, you should. Your body reacts to how you think, feel and act.

When you get stressed, you may notice that your blood pressure goes up. You might get a headache, experience body aches, or insomnia. If you are depressed, you might be constantly fatigued or lack motivation. All of this is simply your body telling you something is wrong.

Mind and Body Healing
In order to keep your body healthy, you need to keep your mind happy and healthy. One of the best ways to do this is to keep your mind relaxed.

Here are some ideas to help you relax your mind and your body:

  • Balance– Bring balance to your life and do your best to leave work-related stress at the office. Dwelling on something after hours can create stress you do not need. In addition to work-related stress, try not to let stress at home take over your life. Whether it’s taking five minutes for a cup of hot tea and some solitude, or booking a monthly massage to give yourself regularly dedicated time to decompress, find a relaxation technique that helps you release your stress.
  • Exercise– Aside from the obvious healthy effects of a quick workout, incorporating exercise into your day is a great way to relieve stress.
  • Express Your Feelings– Keeping things bundled up inside can contribute to increased stress levels, lack of sleep and more. Finding a way to express your feelings, whether it’s having a heart-to-heart with a close friend or keeping a regular journal, can help you improve your mental well-being.
  • Relax– Find ways to relax. Get a therapeutic massage to relax your body and your mind completely. A weekly calming personal massage will help ease your muscle tension therefore helping to relax your mind.

Your whole body is connected. For total mind-body healing, you need to work on your entire self. If you are not sleeping or having aches and pains, think about what is going on in your mind. Is there a problem at work? Are you more stressed?

A therapeutic massage from Inner Focus Massage will help ease tension and help you relax. Call Jodi today at 701-238-8257 for an appointment.

Increase Flexibility with Therapeutic Massage

You do not have to be an athlete to realize that being flexible is a necessary part of life. Think about the aches and pains and the grunts and moans as you live your life. If it seems that these grunts and groans are coming more and more often, you might want to think about therapeutic massage as a natural way to help improve your flexibility and overall health.

Life with Motion
Regular massage therapy helps to loosen muscles and tendons in your body. Massage causes friction that warms your body increasing blood flow. This helps your muscles have more elasticity increasing your range of motion and overall flexibility.

Get Rid of Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is a killer when you are working out. As soon as it builds up your muscles begin tighten and drastically decreases your range of motion causing cramps and pain. A regular sports massage will help reduce lactic acid build up and condition your muscles to be more flexible.

Ease the Pain 
One of the key advantages of increased flexibility is the reduced risk of pain and injury. Simply put — the more flexible you are, the less strain your muscles will have. With regular massage therapy and more flexibility, your body will heal faster after strenuous activities.

It does not matter if you are a top athlete or someone who is just trying to live a healthier lifestyle; being more flexible and increasing your range of motion will improve your overall wellbeing.

Regular therapeutic massage from Inner Focus Massage will reduce muscle tension, ease pain, and improve your overall flexibility. Call Jodi for an appointment today at 701-238-8257.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Having a child is one of the greatest joys in life. However, before you meet the bundle of joy, your body and your mind will go on a nine-month roller coaster ride of change. Alone from the physical change there’s the exhaustion and emotional change that comes with being pregnant. Prenatal massage can be excellent for you and the baby.

Stress Relief 
Having a baby is one of the most stressful times in a parent’s life. Hormones are rapidly changing, leading to increased anxiety, stress, and depression. A soothing therapeutic massage has proven to lower stress hormone levels and increase dopamine and serotonin levels that help control depression among pregnant women. Lower stress levels can lead to better overall health throughout the pregnancy. This can lead to fewer complications for mom and baby during birth.

Soothe the Swelling 
When you are pregnant, you’ll undoubtedly experience swelling in your joints. This is because of the reduced circulation and pressure on major blood vessels. Prenatal massage will help stimulate the tissues and help reduce the collection of fluid in your joints.

Help the Pain
Discomfort and pain will happen when you are pregnant. Regular prenatal massage will help comfort you throughout your pregnancy. General muscle tension, back pain, can lead to headaches and lack of sleep on top of the stress of being pregnant is never a good mix. Relaxing your mind and your body is beneficial for you and the baby.

If you are pregnant, try consulting with Jodi, a licensed massage therapist at Inner Focus Massage. A custom massage will help ease the tension in your mind and your body, making your pregnancy a little easier for you and your baby. Call Jodi for an appointment at 701-238-8257.

Keep your Health & Wellness Resolution with Regular Massage Therapy

As your year has stated to ramp up (spring’s on the way!) and life gets busy, it’s a good week to check in on you’re a few month’s old New Year’s resolution. Have you started your new healthy lifestyle? 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 resolution you made this year and make sure that massage therapy is part of your health and wellness routine. Massage therapy from Inner Focus Massage will help. Call Jodi with questions or to make an appointment at 701-238-8257.