Sensitivity Meter

Ah, the holidays.... exactly like the blissful Christmas shows that are on tv night after night from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Love, happiness and peace on Earth all while soft snow flakes drift down covering the world in quiet wonder.

Not so much the case in your world? My guess is the countdown for holiday shopping is pressing you (and you've already spent way too much), work is demanding production, the family wants your time and 'the weather outside is frightful'......all leaving your sensitivity meter in the red stress zone.

What now? Take a breath. (Take two, they're free.) I know, I know. I always say that. I say it because 1) It's free. 2) Air is readily available and 3) science shows breathing is very very good for you.

Next, recognize what's going on. Your spouse asked "honey, could you please change the toilet paper roll when you use it last?" and you responded with, "yeah, well......maybe if you picked up your socks, threw the junk mail away instead of leaving it on the counter, and fed the dog once in awhile, I would change the toilet paper!" Uh, yeah, you overreacted. That's that sensitivity meter again.

What's going on is that you're on overload with your emotions/thoughts/feelings and you just spewed them all over your spouse who's standing there with mouth agape wondering what in the world happened.

Stepping back and taking a deep breath or two while you realize that it wasn't really your spouse's comment that set you off will go a long ways toward preventing it from happening again.

What else can you do to bring your sensitivity meter back into a normal range?

• Take a break from the news. News is meant to trigger emotions-and this usually means your negative ones like fear or anger.

• Set aside electronics. Smart phones, tablets and other electronic devices literally keep us "wired" all day (and night) long. if you find yourself frequently pulling your cell phone out to read or respond to text messages or Facebook; you may have developed a habit that keeps you perpetually keyed up 24/7.

• Get out. Outside that is. Leave your cell phone in the house, car, office.......anywhere but your pocket and step outside for fresh air and a view of nature.

• Take time to smile or say hello to a stranger at least once in the course of your day. If they don't respond in kind, tell yourself IT'S OK. Why? Because it IS.

• Remember, everyone you know is going through something; whether the car broke down, they're working too many hours, the kids have been sick, or whatever. Realize that when someone says something that affects you adversely, it doesn't always mean they meant it in a negative way. Be patient and think it through. Then if necessary, talk it out (not text it out..... grrr....most convenient yet most easily misunderstood form of conversation). Likely you'll find that what rubbed you the wrong way was not intended at all and it was simply your sensitivity meter hitting the red zone.....again.

Happy.........and peaceful holidays to all. And to all a good night (night's sleep that is!)

Pets, Stress and You

Want to find yourself slightly more stress-free? Get a pet.

Hairballs? Slobbery kisses? Paper training? I can hear a collective sigh that says "I think that sounds stress FULL, not stress-free."

Not so fast. Studies show that owning a pet helps you live longer. Think about it: who else gives you unconditional love day in and day out? Okay, the dog does. Cats give unconditional love when they WANT to. (But they still love you even if they appear to be ignoring you, honest.)

Taking 10 minutes at the end of the work day to throw a ball with your canine or entice your kitty to play a game of laser light helps to relieve the accumulated stress of phone calls, deadlines, and annoying colleagues substantially. Statistics show that pet owners can effectively lower high blood pressure simply by having a four legged (or two as the case may be) companion.

Think of the exercise involved in walking the dog or just playing with one. It's great for him and for you. A definite win-win!

And then, at day's end; everyone winds down with a wonderful petting session. The rhythmic stroking of an animal's fur soothes not only the beast but the master as well.

Beyond the stress relief and health benefits; a pet is a wonderful people magnet. For some reason, a person is far more likely to stop and talk to you during a walk if you have a dog by your side than not. This is a huge benefit, especially to those who live alone or don't get to public places where other humans abound. In fact, therapy pets are being used more and more in nursing homes and other medical facilities for the social benefits to short and long term residents.

Pets are also fantastic listeners. Especially dogs (your cat may get bored and walk away). They don't offer advice, chastise you for saying or doing something wrong, or get mad at you. They simply listen in their own dog-like way. It can be very cathartic to talk to a pet and your pet will be getting your undivided attention; which is what he loves.

On top of it all; your pet is always there for you. She watches for you to come home, loves to have you feed, pet, play with her. You're not her master. You're her buddy and her world. It doesn't get a whole lot better than that.

Stress and You

'Tis the season. The holiday season is upon us and with it comes a myriad selection of activities that flood our days (and sometimes nights). We add these holiday activities and functions to our already full plate consisting of home, family, work, volunteering, recreational activities (Feel free to add your own choices to this list) and before we know it we've got headaches, fatigue, feelings of overwhelm, colds, indigestion, sleeplessness, and short tempers.


What's the solution? From my perspective as a licensed massage therapist (and crazed holiday enthusiast who partakes in creating, sharing, eating rich holiday foods, decorating in an eclectic country home spun yet elegant Martha Stewart-esque style, seeing clients daily, writing a business manuscript on massage therapy, taking care of a home, pets, family, volunteering with a civic organization and trying to fit in time for socializing with the special people in my life); it's safe to say I know a little something about the topic of stress, it's effects on the human condition and how to effectively reduce it.


First, it's important to know how stress registers for you. Some people can go, go, go and not even know they ARE stressed so it's important to recognize the signs before you become worn out.

• Fatigue (feeling like you wake up tired and go to bed tired.)
• Muscle tension (especially neck, shoulders, chest and abdomen)
• Racing thoughts (too much in your head to think about)
• Easy to anger (that %*@$% cut me off in traffic!)
• Feeling overwhelmed (manifesting as sadness, frustration, anger, anxiety)
• Sleeplessness (worry, tension, a long "to do" list)

There are other symptoms that may present as well but these are some of the more commonly overlooked signs of stress overload. After these come the ones that FORCE us to take notice. Things like: headaches, heartburn/gerd/acid reflux, colds and flu, and other problems that effectively put us down for the count....at least temporarily.

It's vitally important (all the time) but especially at busy times of the year like the holidays to induce the relaxation response as frequently as possible to keep stress from becoming more problematic. Unchecked stress can lead to many serious health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes so knowing how it affects you and how you can deal with it is well worth the time and effort. Here are a few options for you to try:

• Massage and bodywork. (Of COURSE I'm going to mention this! Massage is one of THE premier ways of inducing the relaxation response through soothing the nervous system, releasing muscular tension and shutting off monkey mind chatter).
• Deep breathing. (When stressed, we naturally breathe more shallow. Deeper breathing sends nourishing oxygen to all the cells of your body. Good stuff, trust me.)
• Mindful exercise. (Yoga, tai chi, qi gong, walking. These options help you to focus your mind, increase rhythmic breathing, stretch your body while releasing stored tension and improving circulation)
• Guided meditation or visualization. (These offer verbal guidance to help you to progressively relax your muscles, deepen your breathing and slow your conscious brain activity)

The holidays needn't be a time of dread due to a to-do list that extends around the block. Take on those things that are "have tos", interspersed with the things that make you feel great. Don't feel you have to do it all or be it all. You don't. The more relaxed you feel, the better you'll enjoy your holidays, friends and family and the reason for the season. (You get to choose what that is for you.)

So go color a picture and just let go.....

How Can Massage Help?

Being a licensed massage therapist for the past 10 years, I have heard a lot from people on what they think massage is like and how it benefits the body/mind. Some of the information is spot-on and some of it is most definitely lacking.

For instance, far too many people associate massage with this luxurious service that only pampered, rich people (who don't need it) can afford to get. Well, they're right that it can be luxurious, but it's not just for the spoiled set.

Massage therapy is highly beneficial for relieving the effects of every day stress. Whether that stress load comes from work or family obligations, ill-health, relational difficulties or any other situation, massage can effectively reduce (and relieve) the body and mind with the very first session. Why is this important? With stress linked to nearly every disease known to man, keeping it to a minimum may be a "secret" to a longer, healthier life.

Beyond stress relief, massage is frequently used for pain control, to release muscle tension and speed injury rehabilitation. When used regularly, it is effective for headache, shoulder and back pain relief.

Massage works on all the systems of the body, not just the muscles. It rejuvenates the entire body by increasing the blood and lymph circulation. Oxygen is much more effectively distributed and utilized as well.

The skin brightens and internal organs become more toned. Certain massage techniques benefit the digestive tract and may curb constipation or symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The nervous system is positively impacted and a release of "feel good chemicals" is allowed to flood the body.

Now, with all that said....is massage therapy a panacea for every ailment out there? No. It does not suit all conditions, nor does everyone respond well to it.

However, it IS another tool to use to increase the quality of your life. Give it a try. Your body and mind will thank you.