Hello, and welcome to the June 2008 newsletter!  Ready to enjoy summer? It would be nice to have the whole summer to unwind, like when we were kids. How nice it was to realize you had weeks and weeks of time off from your “job”—your schoolwork! As adults, most of us get a couple of weeks to catch our breath, so we have to try to relax quickly.

It’s too bad most of us are so busy these days that we don’t have more time to lie back on a lazy afternoon and watch the clouds drift by. A massage always serves as a nice substitute and can take you to “cloud nine” faster than a leisurely drive in the countryside.

Speaking of driving, if you’ll be doing any distance driving during your vacation days, remember how all that car time can take its toll on your lower back. Scheduling a massage before and/or after your trip can help you to minimize any stiffness from those hours of sitting.

That pre-trip massage can help you to begin the relaxation process and send you on your way in a better frame of mind, too. Have a great summer. See you at your next massage!  

Who do you know that needs to de-stress?
Get them a gift certificate for massage!   Call to order ...

The Road to Rest and Relaxation Starts with Massage

Will you be going on a vacation this summer? With the current state of the economy, many people are choosing to stay closer to home. It’s important to be able to take a real break from your busy day-to-day routine and have a chance to recharge from the stresses of life.

The following excerpts from an article on the importance of vacations by Ann Hatchitt reconfirm how valuable getting away from your responsibilities can be:

“At the Austin office of State Farm Insurance Co., Paul McClain, manager of human resources, says although most people take advantage of their vacation benefits, some do not.

" ‘Employees may become so overwhelmed with the demands of their job responsibilities, that they just can't get away from it,’ McClain says. ‘And the rewards of getting away on vacation can be offset with the dread of what will be waiting for them when they return. Work piles up, and with today's high-tech business environment, an employee could come back to face hundreds of emails. 

“ ‘We really encourage our employees to use their vacation benefits,’ McClain says. ‘When employees use their vacation days, we like to see them really use those days to relax away from the office. That way they come back to work renewed.

" ‘I think everyone needs to get away for an extended period of time. It takes at least five to seven days to wind down from work,’ McClain says. ...

“Dr. Susan Neal, an Austin-based organization development consultant, agrees. ‘It's important for each of us to take the time out to care for ourselves,’ she says. ‘That means paying attention to all of our needs, physical, mental, psychological and spiritual. The more balanced people can be in all these areas, the more creativity and fresh perspective they have to bring to their work.

" ‘It's an energy thing," she says. "If you are depleted of energy, then you're not good to anyone, most of all yourself. Taking the time off available from their employers can be very positive for the employees and everyone they interact with at home and at work.’

“Employers are learning to recognize that for every one dollar of vacation benefits they provide their employees, they receive a $3 return on the benefit investment in the form of improved employee productivity and morale. ...”

Remember, your next mini-vacation is just a phone call away. Getting massage on a regular basis is a great way to keep yourself de-stressed and energized and is a great reward for all that you do! See below for more on how massage can help you to be your best.

Your Massage Awaits …

Could massage be the best all-round therapy for your health and well-being? Look at a short list of benefits each massage session offers you:

• Massage is one of the best stress-reducing activities there is. About three out of four visits to the doctor are for stress-related ailments and complaints, so head off those health problems with massage!

• There’s plenty of research showing the positive effects of massage. The Touch Research Institute has conducted over 100 studies on the positive effects of massage therapy on many functions and medical conditions in many different age groups. Among the significant research findings are diminished pain, decreased autoimmune problems, enhanced immune function, and enhanced alertness and performance. Many of these effects appear to be mediated by decreased stress hormones.

• Other massage benefits include improvements in muscle function and joint mobility, as well as stimulating nerve function that can produce positive changes throughout the body.

• A massage just feels great! What else can take you from tense and worried to soooo relaxed and serene in a matter of minutes? It’s not always practical to get out of town to de-stress, but you can do yourself a world of good and really revitalize yourself anytime you wish with a massage! Keep feeling your best by calling to set your next appointment. See you then!

According to a study by the Families and Work Institute, employees who are overworked (i.e., those who do NOT take vacations) are more likely to:

• Make mistakes
• Be angry at their employers and colleagues who don’t work as hard
• Have higher stress levels
• Feel symptoms of clinical depression
• Neglect themselves and report poor health

The minute you settle for less than you deserve,
you get even less than you settled for.
— Maureen Dowd

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2008 Massage Marketing.   Used with permission; all rights reserved.