The effects of stress and how we can manage stress on a daily basis...
HSE's formal definition of work related stress is:
"The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work."
Stress is a subject which affects us every day, both at work and in our personal lives. It seems that every day a new study is reported in the press or medical journals relating stress to one disease or another. Experts suggest that stress may be responsible for upwards of 75 per cent of all diseases in the Western world including skin diseases (e.g., psoriasis and eczema), headaches and migraine, digestive disorders, high blood pressure and heart-related diseases, as well as back-ache and muscle pain, poor eyesight and depression. Perhaps nothing ages us faster than high levels of stress...
As the world in which we live becomes increasingly stressful both physically and emotionally we are left with two choices; either we avoid stress, or we learn how to deal with it effectively. It is, of course, impossible to avoid stress, and therefore the only real solution is to find ways to manage the stresses and strains we encounter each day. One way is the use of massage therapy.
There's no denying the power of touch, the power of body therapy. Irrespective of what we choose to call it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek a treatment (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regime.
While we can only dream of a life with no stress or anxiety in todays fast-paced world, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. The benefits for you are:
Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.