News and Articles 
Relaxation: The Forgotten Treatment
National Relaxation Day is August 15, a day to relax, rejuvenate, and help yourself heal. Relaxation is the ability to become less tense and rigid, and is a ritual we should be incorporating into our daily routines. As we progress through our lives, we are so often consumed with the duties of everyday life that we forget to focus on our own well-being, and only when those tasks are left incomplete because we “don’t feel right” do we take the time to relax and let ourselves heal. Today is a day observed for us to let go of our hectic schedules and to simply kick back and relax or partake in one of our favorite relaxing activities.
Each day we are faced with situations that present physical and mental challenges, and it is when that stress is retained in our tissues over time that we begin to experience negative symptoms. Stress that is not released can lead to an array of negative manifestations, such as a compromised immune system, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and decreased energy levels. It is when we rest that our body has the chance to repair itself and regain the balance in our tissues to provide optimal support.
Massage therapy is an excellent drug-free, non-toxic way to achieve levels of healthy well-being. There are many benefits to incorporating massage into your lifestyle. When used as a preventative measure, it helps maintain unrestricted, relaxed muscles and assists to promote healthy systems within our body. Those who are more relaxed often experience fewer colds and flus, have more energy to participate in activities they enjoy, have more restful, undisturbed sleep, and have better circulation. When our muscles are relaxed, they often have a quicker rebound time following injury or surgery, due to the amount of oxygen, blood, and necessary nutrients constantly being circulated throughout, thus reducing the recovery time. Decreasing muscle tightness helps to decrease pain and headaches, lowers blood pressure and heart rate (which are high during times of stress), and encourages digestion (which is slowed during stressful periods). Relaxing the muscles can improve breathing and decrease feelings of anxiety, depression, and irritability associated with stress and panic attacks.
Regardless of age, relaxation is as necessary to our well-being as any other part of our health regimen. It is important for everyone to be aware of their body and to take care of it, and even more important for us to remember to take care of it. So the next time you are feeling stressed or anxious, why not try the natural healing of massage and experience the true benefits of good health.
By: Laura Knight, RMT