25 Jul Healthy Living Tip of The Week

Stress can have numerous deleterious effects on our health.  Stress itself is not the problem.  How we cope and handle the stress is.  One way of reducing the effects of stress on our body and psyche is to get a regular massage.  If you have never gotten a massage you need to splurge soon!

Anecdotally I can testify that a good massage will leave you feeling calm, centered, and relaxed.  On numerous occasions while receiving a massage I relaxed so much I awakened myself snoring.

A study published in 2005 in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that regular massages decreased cortisol and increased dopamine and serotonin.  Cortisol is one of the main hormones your body releases with both physical and emotional stress.  High levels of cortisol for short periods of time can be beneficial but chronic overstimulation of cortisol is associated with numerous health problems.  Dopamine and Serotonin are your endorphins, your feel good hormones.  People who are happy and content have higher levels of Dopamine and Serotonin.  Exercise and sex also increase them.  Most of the antidepressants augment levels of Serotonin and or Dopamine in the brain as well.

For a drug-free antidepressant call your favorite masseuse and schedule a massage to wipe away your stress.

Here’s to the Journey!