Massage…it's real, and it is SPECTACULAR!
You’ll have to excuse me, I was not at my best,
I have been here for 3 months, I’d gotten stressed for the test,
These so-called stressers yes they saw to my death,
I’m so sick from the crowds, I need a massage for my stress.
OK! Big props to anyone out there who can guess the opening song!
We here at MyCityDeal have received plenty of e-mails from concerned MyCityDealers wondering about my whereabouts. Fret not, my friends. I did not perish or spontaneously combust due to an overload of stress. Rather the other way around. Yes, let’s rewind a little….
Oh you guys are good. VERY good. You had me doing some ridiculous things. From taking the subway, bus, over ground to make one trip or instead of running to catch the bus I could only walk. I could only answer “I don’t know” to questions from my family, friends and co-workers (READ: The Big Boss) which never goes well and their mounting frustration with me coupled with sleeping on the couch, picking fights with friends and loved one I was, as one would say, one stressed out Canuck.
Sometimes the signs are staring you in the face.
By Saturday my back and joints had started to ache and I found myself trying to massage my own shoulders. My body was screaming silently at me and I knew it was time. Time to take THE STRESS TEST.
The Stress Test examined a number of factors relating to and encouraging on the onset of stress in one’s life. From day-to-day situations to long term factors that were beyond my control, my internet web page shrink attempted to diagnose me.
The results? Pre-massage, I ramped up a staggering 38 out of 50 on ye olde test. 76%? Hmmm…still too high in my books. So off I went to Chelsea Day Spa for an hour of rest….yes rest….and relaxation.
OH IT WAS GLORIOUS! Friends, when was the last time you treated yourself to an indulgent massage? The benefits are numerous, but let’s break it down and examine how getting a massage is actually and truly good for your health.
Most experts agree that you should get a massage at least once a month. Brandon Raynor, massage expert trained in more that 5 forms of the relaxing touch, asserts that massage:
- Reduces lower back pain and other bodily aches.
- Increases range of motion in joints.
- Decreases illness-related fatigue.
- Calms aggressive behaviours.
- Decreases depression and helps to promote a healthy mind.
- Helps your immunity by increasing white blood cell counts.
- Improves recovery after post-operative surgery.
- Alleviates age-related disorders, sleep disorders, and many more emotional and physical problems.
In addition, it offers physical, emotional and physiological benefits such as:
- Reduced tension and stiff muscles
- As certain muscles are massaged, emotions triggered by chemical reactions within the body are released allowing the body to relax, thus releasing tension and therefore stress.
- Massage is useful in helping cure a range of illnesses and aides in the recovery period after surgery.
And relax...
Most importantly, in my opinion, a massage makes you feel pampered and luxurious. It is one fully selfish hour out of an entire month that allows you to focus on you. Let the stress boil away while you block out the world around you and focus on the kneading of your muscles while the sound of waves (or whatever the choice CD sounds may be) drown out the hectic happenings that encapsulate your life.
After my hour long session, I floated home via the 137 towards Clapham Common to retake the test. My score? 27 out of 50. 54%. 22% less than prior to my massage, based on the fact that I was no longer suffering from tense muscles and an overloaded mind.
So go on. You know you want to. Find yourself a stress test, and try it out, before and after. Since we love spa days here at MyCityDeal, it is not uncommon for us to feature several days of pampering on our site every month. A spa day at half the price turns every potential pauper into a prince (or princess!), even if it is just for a day!
Creative Commons Photos: 1, and 2.
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