Recovery: with Charlotte Hurley

RECOVERY

WELLBEING PRACTITIONER AT BECALMED SPA AND HEALTHWELL SOLUTIONS By Caroline Hurley

I.I.H.H.T. ART(Reg)

Have you ever felt like you are struggling to keep up with daily tasks and deadlines? Sometimes life can feel overwhelming, leaving you little time for rest. The human body is built to thrive on series of short sprints followed by rest, so ignoring this basic requirement will be detrimental to your health.

The amount of rest will vary from one person to another, but it is still an essential part of each day for everyone. Adequate rest will help your body activate its inner healing and return you to a balanced state. When you are resting, this is the time your body can repair itself.

At BeCalmed, we know that massage is an important part of many people’s lives, helping them relax and rest. Massage therapy can help the body in many ways. Massage can relax muscle tissue; improve circulation; lower the heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure; boost the immune system; and generally decrease the physical effects of stress.

One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm.

This occurs because massage prompts the release of endorphins – the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of wellbeing. Levels of stress hormones, such as adrenalin, cortisol and norepinephrine, are also reduced. Studies indicate that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune system. Some of the physical benefits of massage and myotherapy include: reduced muscle tension, improved circulation, stimulation of the lymphatic system, reduction of stress hormones, relaxation, increased joint mobility and flexibility, improved skin tone, improved recovery of soft tissue injuries, heightened mental alertness, reduced anxiety and depression. As the speed of life becomes ever more chaotic, mindfulness and inner calm play an important role in maintaining equilibrium for both physical and mental health. With this in mind, we have recently introduced a new massage called ‘Inner Calm’. A deeply relaxing and balancing aromatherapy treatment for mind and body, the Inner Calm Massage uses a specially selected blend of oils specifically tailored to help you find your inner calm. Using guided inhalation and breathing techniques to help slow breath – releasing stress and anxiety, mind and body are brought back in balance. With the body relaxing into a warm neck pillow, an eye pillow is placed over eyes before a full body massage begins for a state of complete relaxation. A calming scalp massage follows before Rose Quartz Crystals are gently massaged over the third eye and forehead to rebalance the body, restore a sense of focus, and create inner calm.

It is key to your health that you allow yourself time in the day to rest, unwind a busy mind, and let anxieties slip away for a renewed sense of positivity.