BEAUTY KLINIC

Though it may be hard for some to understand, massage is stressful. For those of us who are reluctant to lay semi-nude on a table and be grabbed by total strangers, massage is a far from a pleasant, relaxing prospect. On the contrary, it can be a very stressful one, bordering on panic inducing. I suppose it has everything to do with body image and what not, but the thought of a strangers oily hands on my back is not one I readily relish.

As a viable therapy, massage enjoys the distinction of being a time-honored one. We can see the depiction of massage in a number of Roman, Greek, India, Chinese, and even Thai murals and texts. It was, and still is, seen as a viable means of therapy. Indeed, even modern Western medicine can cite the effectiveness of massage, though most literature on the matter claims it is a perceived benefit, not necessarily an actual one. We perceive, therefore we are.

Massage, by definition, is the rubbing of the soft tissue of the body, which includes the muscles, skin, joints, ligaments, and even the internal organs. This “rubbing” can be done with a mechanical gadget or a part of the body, such as the forearm or thumbs or even the feet. Applying pressure to the soft tissue can release tension, reduce stress and therefore lower blood pressure. It can also facilitate the flow of lactic acid, reducing recovery times from strenuous activity. There is a reason athletes all get massages after each game or event.

The sheer number of types of massage is enough to make a shy man (or woman) blush. How is a person to choose between Breema, visceral manipulation, Shiatsu, Rolfing, and so on? Well, lets starts with certifications. Presently, only Shiatsu enjoys the distinction of being a licensed medical practice…in Japan. Still, the Japanese must onto something. Of course, a massage therapist must be licensed through a state agency, so whatever they happen to specialize in should be safe enough.

If all this talk of soft tissues and oils and semi-nudity is too much for you, you can simply invest in any number of high-powered personal massagers and call it a night. There are a variety of devices that can vibrate your stress away. Granted there is something unmistakable and even, perhaps, magical about the touch of another human, but for those of us who are the shy types, it’s just the ticket to peace of mind.

You can discover all over and with the fast-paced life that people endure these days, stress is part of our daily lives. As a matter of fact, people are so used to it that they deal with it as a regular everyday natural event but stress, when not managed right, can lead to all sorts of health problems, fundamental of which is heart troubles. This is particularly true with individuals who have had family history of heart problems.

This is particularly true with individuals who have had family history of heart conditions. Managing Stress is nevertheless, actually simple to do when you make an effort, so if you keep in mind to keep it from happening, you can in reality live a tension-free life or at the very least be able to cope with it simply because after all, dealing with tension is stressful in itself. You don’t actually need to go to particular lengths to release the tension - you can do away with it by preventing its occurrence to begin with. Read some more and you might just stop those creases from turning up.

Tension is so usual these days that its expected by everyone, so its advisable that you ready yourself for the big problems and let go of the tinier, insignificant ones. You can only do this if you maintain an organized life because just looking for your misplaced pencil in the workplace can produce stress, not to mention, make you lose your concentration. Don’t let that take place, so keep your life arranged and it will ensure you are more ready to handle the bigger ones.

It is not true that creative succusses only appear when we are in a rush, it’s just they come out during those peiods because we are driven to think. With enough self-control, we can surely think of creative constructs without straining ourselves for lack of time and by beginning quickly it will also ensure that you won’t have to hurry when you are working on a job. You will be able to take some time and really consider what you are trying to achieve and this should stop you from getting too tense, but, also allow you to produce great constructive work.

Tension levels will seldom involve you provided you are ready for it, health-wise. You see, when you are fit, healthy and is full of vitality, you are just about protected from the effects of stress such as the lowering of energy levels, nervous breakdown and frequently, even heart problems. This can only be done by living healthily through eating on the right sorts of nutrients and having the requisite sleep each day.

If you believe that you are already drawing close to your collapsing point, don’t be stupid and take a rest because this will do you far more good as it will aid you reload and de-tension yourself. If you’re too engaged, don’t put it off as doing so will only make the tension build up inside you until you become too stressed out to even be productive. This is the reason why employers give vacation leave so that people can take a while to relax and regain their former vigor levels, and productive selves.

At the risk of sounding like a complete Big Sur hippie, I feel I have to make the case for something called zone therapy, otherwise known as reflexology. I know what youre thinking: James, you′ve done it again. Yes, perhaps I have. But so what? This ancient therapy does not require the use of any special crystals or ethereal pan flute music. All that’s required is a semi-open mind and your bare hands and feet.

Reflexology is something like a hand or foot massage, in fact, it’s just like a hand or foot massage. The only difference is the intentionality of the masseuse. A reflexologist is trained to correspond points on your hands and feet (and sometimes ears) to certain organs or functions of the body. For instance, the hollow of the foot is said to correspond to your stomach. Have a stomach ache? Have that part of your foot rubbed.

I know this sounds rather strange, far-fetched even, but the esteemed journal, Neuroscience Letters, claims that there is indeed a neural link between the brain and the foot. Of course, I would say, how else are we able to walk? Thanks, I’ll be here all week! But seriously, folks, there is something to be said for this form of therapy. I know because it worked for me. My chronic headaches, which bordered on migraines, have abated since I started getting my hands rubbed.

Outlandish, sure. Insane, perhaps. But the bottom line: it works for me. It could work for you. It’s like Tai Chi — some people swear they can feel the chi running through their bodies. Other people punch people like that in the stomach and laugh. It’s hard to say and I do sympathize with those of you who are creeped out by other people touching their hands and feet.

So, for the sake of forgoing the touch of another human, you could get yourself a foot massager. You can find models that are electric (and hence vibrating) or wooden (and do nothing but get mashed into your soft spots). The vibrating ones get the job done and even come with warm water jets and DVD players. I’m just kidding about the DVD players. Either way, it’s something that may work for some people out there, and if something works, why not give a try?

Yoga has an extremely long history over 6,000 years in fact! This ancient form of exercise is great for conditioning the body and the mind alike.

While the various asanas or postures are the core of yoga training, the breath is its soul. It’s been said that if you can breathe, you can practice yoga. A fundamental aim of yoga is to help you learn to calm your mind through your breathing.

The regular practice of yoga will make you intimately acquainted with yoga. You′ll learn proper techniques for breathing which will produce relaxation and stress relief and also help you to achieve better posture.

As human beings, our minds tend to wander into thoughts of the past and the future. However, our bodies exist only in the present. By practicing yoga, you will learn through your breath how to draw your mind back to your body and abandon all of your worries.

One of the refreshing aspects about yoga is that, even if only for a minute, you are able to focus and concentrate on the present, and you are learning to let go of the cares and concerns that can bring tension and disease to your body.

By practicing yoga, you will learn to breathe consciously which will make your mind attentive and focused on your practice. You will be able to maintain your thoughts in the present, sweeping aside worries and concerns.

While there are a number of breathing exercises associated with yoga which will teach you how to release tension and balance your mind, as a start, try the following exercise.

* Lie or sit comfortably and become aware of your normal state of breathing.

* Still aware of your breath, inhale and exhale 4 counts each several times.

* Next, make your inhalations and exhalations last for five counts each.

* Then increase the count to 6 for each inhalation and exhalation. Become aware of your body - make sure that it is relaxed.

* Continue increasing the count of your breathing until you get to nine. If you start to feel stressed, drop back down to a number that is more comfortable.

* Keep bringing your mind back to your body to check to see if there is any tension anywhere in your body. If so, attempt to relax that part of your body.

* Whatever your final number of breaths is, continue breathing with long breaths for several rounds, then drop the counting and breathe naturally for 10 rounds.

What you can gain from this exercise - as you can from a number of other yogic breathing exercises, is the capacity to still your mind and relax your body through mastery over your breath. With some practice, you will become an expert at this technique, able to achieve a state of relaxation any time you are under stress and feeling tense.

Stopping a panic attack after it’s started is not an easy task. Mostly, you have to ride it out, stay calm, and lean on your experience. Certain drugs can provide immediate relief, but they usually have some severe side effects. So the question is, what types of panic attack remedies truly work? Here are some real ones that do.

First, there’s exercise? Countless studies have shown that regular exercise has a positive effect on the number and severity of panic attacks. It makes perfect sense too when you think about it. When we exercise, we feel better about ourselves. And when we feel better about ourselves we’re much more able to take on the challenges we face every day. So think about including exercise as a way of helping to control your anxiety.

Watch your caffeine and alcohol intake. These are drugs in their own right and they can have serious effects on your mood. Too much coffee for instance can put you right on the edge of a panic attack. Alcohol too can set your mood spinning. So be careful with these or any other substances that may adversely affect your mood.

Add some natural remedies to your daily diet. There are many non-drug substances available at health food stores that have calming and healing effects, especially herbal teas. Everyone’s heard about Chamomile’s sedative properties, but other teas like Lemon Balm and Passion Flower have calming effects as well. Find one that you enjoy and relax over a cup once a day.

Take the time to learn a relaxation technique or two. For instance, there are simple yoga breathing exercises you can learn and perform just about anywhere. And they can have an immediate calming effect. Or you can spend more time and take a course on meditation and learn how to use guided imagery as a tool to control your stress.

Look at your own life a little more carefully and try to expand on the things that you enjoy. For example, let’s say you love listening to music. How about making a weekly date with yourself to put on some headphones and listen to your favorite CDs for an hour or two? That not only gives you a space to avoid stress, but it gives you something to look forward to when you’re in the middle of a stressful encounter.

Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about what’s going on in your life. Share your worries and concerns. You can talk to a friend or you can talk to a professional. Either way, you’ll benefit by opening up and letting go of the stress. It acts as sort of a safety valve for your emotions.

The best panic attack remedy is the one that works for you. In order to discover what that is, you’re going to have to take an active role and do some homework. Some techniques will work better than others, but your experience with each will teach you something and bring you closer to a solution. Remember, if you stick with it, things will get better.