Honouring Our Self Care
Honouring our Self Care
Let’s start the year off honouring self care instead of inducing stress with resolutions.
My first two months at Ohana have been incredibly busy with some returning, and many new clients. I’m so grateful for the support from the Ohana and local communities! Thank you Thank You!
I’m definitely not a fan of making New Year's Resolutions. Too often they are fueled by what we think we should strive for based on what we see on social media or what has been achieved by our friends, colleagues, or those we admire. We tend to make lists that aren’t entirely achievable not because we aren’t capable of achieving great things but because our lists don’t necessarily reflect or respect our lifestyle and actual needs.
This year, instead of putting more pressure on ourselves with resolutions, how about we take a step back and just focus on honouring our self care. This can be as simple as stopping our daily chores at least an hour or two before bed time so we can relax, leading to better quality sleep. Self care can include eating more whole foods in all the colours of the rainbow instead of takeout. Making space for physical movement, allowing for time spent in nature, and practising appreciation are also integral to caring for our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Seeking support where we need it is also essential to self care. Managing stress is one of those areas where we may need help. Day to day stresses can lead to headaches, muscle tension and pain, anxiety, fatigue, memory issues, digestive upsets, avoiding exercise, isolation, anger, sadness, and depression to name a few.
As a Massage Therapist I primarily help people recover from injuries, illnesses, imbalances, and surgeries. Once we’ve sorted out whatever issues brought you in and helped you achieve a better state of well being, a regular schedule of maintenance treatments will help you maintain that well being to keep you as comfortable, mobile, and active as you wish to be.
Relaxation massage has typically been viewed as an indulgence, a luxury. But, there is great value in relaxation treatment either through massage therapy or Reiki. And not just because it feels good. Studies have shown that massage therapy actually reduces cortisol levels and increases serotonin. Cortisol is a hormone released when we are stressed. Too much cortisol can lead to a variety of health problems. And serotonin can improve mood, helping you experience happiness. Serotonin is involved in better quality sleep, wound healing, and more. Research suggests that Reiki may improve mood and sleep and may lower anxiety, stress and pain.
So, don’t wait until the end of the year to ‘use up your benefits’. Consider including massage therapy and Reiki treatments throughout the year to optimize your health and well being and to honour you!
As it happens, honouring our self care aligns us with Spirit, with our soul. It’s exactly that alignment that allows for us to become our best selves.
And so it is. Namaste.