Holiday Detox Solutions

The holiday season is here and with it comes the whirlwind of parties, shopping, and gatherings with family and friends. There is much planning to do on top of managing existing schedules. Abundant opportunities to eat, drink and be merry present themselves. Stress abounds, whether we welcome the season or can’t wait until it’s over.

dreamclinic massage seattle detox

Numerous parties and holiday events make it easy to over- indulge in sugar, alcohol, and foods you may not ordinarily eat. When you repeatedly partake, toxins build up in the body and can upset your internal balance. The resulting effects may include poor digestion and headaches and fatigue. Added to these challenges is the emotional stress of juggling multiple social engagements or dealing with difficult family members while attempting to maintain your own sanity. Emotional stress can cause you to eat and drink more to cope with anxious feelings, thus increasing the toxic load on the body.

Here are 5 holiday detox strategies you can do to eliminate toxins this holiday season:

  • Exercise. Exercising regularly increases circulation and oxygenation, and eliminates waste products from the body.1 Daily movement also reduces stress and improves cognitive function.
  • Eat cleansing foods. The liver is the body’s primary detoxification organ. Foods that help cleanse the liver include garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.2
  • Drink water. Water helps flush out toxins, so drinking an extra glass or two of filtered water each day can make a big difference. Add a squeeze of lemon to ease gas and bloating.
  • Try Acupuncture. When toxins build up in the body, the flow of life force energy, or qi, becomes inhibited. This imbalance can show itself as food and sugar cravings. Acupuncture balances the body’s qi, restoring a normal appetite and reducing cravings for toxin-loaded foods.3
  • Schedule a Massage. The pressure and rhythmic strokes used in massage improve the body’s circulation and lymph flow, facilitating toxin removal.4Massage also helps to reduce stress levels and boost the immune system.

As the holiday season proceeds, follow these holiday detox measures to keep yourself healthy and manage your stress with ease. Taking the time to take care of yourself will give you the energy to tackle all of your holiday commitments with cheer.

 

Meditation Reduces Stress and Boosts Immunity

meditation workshop redmond monroe institute dreamclinic massageMeditation helps us ground, and it also reduces stress and boosts immunity. Meditation has been gradually moving into the mainstream, as a result of its association with yoga and its growing acceptance by celebrities and corporate leaders. The practice of meditation involves quieting the mind and focusing on the breath for the purposes of contemplation and reflection. The resulting state of deep relaxation has been shown to temper the body’s pain and stress responses, and scientific studies confirm its potential to improve health and prevent and manage disease.

In the scientific realm, meditation is now considered a “growing sub-field of neuro-biological research.  John Denninger, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, is leading a five-year study on how the ancient practices affect genes and brain activity in the chronically stressed. His latest work follows a study he and others published earlier this year showing how so-called mind-body techniques can switch on and off some genes linked to stress and immune function.

“There is a true biological effect,’ said Denninger…The kinds of things that happen when you meditate do have effects throughout the body, not just in the brain.’”

Mindfulness-based meditation is being utilized in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical environments, from modern medicine to the corporate world, in sports, education, prison populations, and more.

This article has been brought to you by Dreamclinic – offering quality therapeutic massage and acupuncture in the greater Seattle area as well as corporate massage nationwide.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment and experience the Dreamclinic difference.

 

 

 

 

Massage to Reduce Stress

Massage to Reduce Stress

by Laura G., LMP

massage helps to reduce stress massage seattle massage redmond dreamclinicWe all know what causes stress and we all know that stress is bad for you. What is less well-known is exactly how stress affects your body and how massage reverses the physiological effects of stress.

Our bodies have a complex reaction to stress. A “fight or flight” reaction of the sympathetic nervous system gears the body for heavy physical exertion. Blood pressure increases and cholesterol is released into the bloodstream. Breathing becomes rapid and shallow and heart rate increases.  Muscles tense and blood rushes to the extremities to prepare them for action.

In our modern lifestyle, however, the stress response is also triggered by daily activities like sitting at the computer for long hours or simply waiting in traffic. These sedentary activities don’t release stress. Stress remains in our bodies causing muscle tightness, high blood pressure, and a sense of fatigue. Over the long-term muscles and blood vessels become less elastic, arteries develop cholesterol plaques, digestion becomes sluggish, and sleep doesn’t feel refreshing. We find it difficult to ever fully relax even after exercise.

Calming strokes send a message to the nervous system that the body is safe. Blood pressure and heart rate return to normal. Breathing slows and deepens and digestion increases.  Deep muscle strokes relax constricted muscle fibers and open blood vessels. As a full body treatment returns muscles to a healthy tonus, the chest and abdomen soften and relax and the shoulders lower. The internal organs have more room to operate and receive better blood supply. As the energy held in tense muscles is released, one feels more energetic and exercise is more enjoyable. The deep relaxation achieved with a full body massage allows one to rest comfortably and sleep becomes more rejuvenating.

Massage acts as a natural bio-feedback mechanism. With regular massage, our bodies learn how to return to the “rest and digest” state with more ease. We are less likely to get stuck in the “flight or flight” stress reaction. Hence, we actually learn to deal better with stress on a physiological level.  Regular massage to reduce stress is an excellent method for combating the effects of stress and enhancing one’s health. Reducing one’s stress response feels good at the time and feels even better the next day. Not only does massage feel fantastic, it is also fantastic for your health!

This article has been brought to you by Dreamclinic – offering quality therapeutic massage and acupuncture in the greater Seattle area as well as corporate massage nationwide.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment and experience the Dreamclinic difference.

Finding Ways To Stay Active This Fall

hiking

Finding Ways To Stay Active This Fall

As the temperatures drop, we tend to have more and more movie nights, all warm and cuddled up at home. It can feel almost impossible to bundle up and drive to the gym to get a workout in. The house is just so cozy!

While it is extremely tempting to stay snuggled up on the couch, fall and winter shouldn’t be a time when you let your fitness plans slip away. We won’t deny it – it is harder to motivate yourself to exercise when it’s dark and cold. In the summer, it was so easy to go on an impromptu run or bike outside. But, with the right attitude and mix of exercises, fall can actually be the perfect opportunity to mix up your workouts, get innovative, and try new things.  There is hope to stay active in the cold weather.

Here are four fun, easy ways to stay active this fall:

Revamp your home: Get creative and turn your home into a mini gym. From free YouTube fitness videos to fun workout DVDs, you can easily exercise from the comfort of your warm home. Invest in some fitness equipment, like hand weights and a stability ball, and you will be sweating in no time!

Set a goal for the spring or summer: Keep yourself motivated by setting a big goal for yourself. Choose a goal that will get your out of your comfort zone (and maybe one that even scares you a little). Sign-up for a 5K, 10K, half marathon, a long bike ride, or hiking that mountain that always intimidated you. Then, set small, achievable action steps for the winter to reach the end goal. Instead of forcing yourself to exercise during the winter, you’ll be challenging yourself and getting closer to your big goal.

Go Hiking: The best kind of workout is one where you don’t even realize you’re exercising. Take advantage of the cool temperature, and get outside and play!

Get sneaky: You don’t need to go to the gym or have a full 60-minute aerobic workout to stay active in the fall. The goal is to keep moving, so incorporate activity in your daily workday. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther away, walk around the mall before you shop, or do lunges and squats while you watch TV.

Staying active this fall and winter months will help you sleep better, boost your immunity, and fight off the winter blues. And, your hot chocolate will taste even better after a full day of activity.

Do you want more health and wellness tips like this? Sign-up for our email newsletter and we’ll send you fitness advice and updates about Dreamclinic directly to your inbox!

How Mess Affects Stress: Why Spring Cleaning Matters

Spring cleaning, stress relief article by Dreamclinic Massage, Redmond, Bellevue, Seattle

How Mess Affects Stress: Why Spring Cleaning Matters

This year, more than 72% of American households will participate in spring cleaning, according to the American Cleaning Institute. And while everyone can appreciate a clean, organized house, these people may be on to something else.

Studies show that this springtime cleanse can improve mood, decrease stress, and heighten creativity. Why? A cluttered home makes us feel anxious and overwhelmed. Plain and simple, mess causes stress. And when we partake in spring cleaning, we’re finding some order in the chaos and significantly improving our overall wellbeing.

Here are three ways spring cleaning can boost your wellness:

  • Reduces anxiety and stress: For women, the stress hormone cortisol is directly related to clutter, and studies have found that women with a higher density of household objects have much higher cortisol levels than women with less objects in their homes. By purging and organizing, you can actually set off a chemical response in your brain that reduces anxiety.
  • Frees up your time: We spend so much time looking for lost car keys, phones, papers, and wallets — and that time adds up. According to the US News and World Report, average Americans spend one year of their lives looking for misplaced items. By staying organized, you can spend more time with your family and friends — time that would otherwise be spent rummaging for your keys.
  • Improves your health: Clutter collets dirt, dust, and germs, which can put you and your family at perpetual risk of illness. By organizing and keeping your home clean, you will lower your chances of sickness and decrease the severity of allergies, particularly to dust and pet hair.

And, because we understand the value of a healthy home and how it can improve wellbeing, we’re excited to announce a new partnership with Zerorez, a leading eco-friendly carpet cleaning company.

logo We chose to partner with Zerorez because we both share a core philosophy of helping people live a healthy lifestyle and we’re both extremely focused on the customer experience. Zerorez, another local company, offers the most environmentally-friendly, chemical-free clean that no other carpet cleaning company in the Puget Sound can match. With their patented “Empowered Water” technology, Zerorez cleans what others have left behind, in a safe, effective way.

Together, Dreamclinic and Zerorez are offering a Spring Cleaning Special. When you clean your home with Zerorez, you’ll receive a 30-minute massage from Dreamclinic. Book a Zerorez cleaning today, for $46 per room plus hundreds of tiles cleaned for free.

Please visit www.zerorezpugetsound.com for more information on how Zerorez can help clean your carpet, tile/grout, upholstery, granite and other hard surfaces.  Or give Zerorez a call at 425-453-9376.

 

Photo credit: hercampus.com

 

How to Create a Stress-Free Workspace

548a04dbb0ae2_-_rby-desk-03-makeover-after-s2“Stress-free” is usually not the first thing that pops into our mind when we think about our workplace. Long meetings, hard deadlines, and dozens of distractions make work feel like, well, work.

As a result, we become more stressed. And as our stress levels increase, our productivity falls lower and lower, which only stresses us out even more! This vicious cycle can seem unavoidable, but in actuality, a few small changes to your workplace can make a profound difference on your attitude and stress levels while in the office.

Here are some 5 easy, DIY tips to create a stress-free workspace:

  • Personalize your space. Decorate your desk, with favorite pictures or mementos. This way, you’ll feel less like you’re at the office and more like you’re at home (or at least, in a space that feels like yours).
  • Organize. A messy desk is the number one cause of workplace stress. Start by keeping small garbage and recycling cans underneath your desk, so that it’s easy to get rid of trash and unwanted papers on a regular basis. Figure out which items you use most often, and sort them so that they are easily accessible. Make sure that you minimize the amount of papers out on your desk, because visual clutter can cause clutter in your brain, making it harder to focus.
  • Take five. It’s important to give your brain mental breaks, especially when working on something stressful and complicated. Short breaks between 1-5 minutes are incredibly helpful for reducing stress, and the aches and pains you may feel from long hours at a desk. Studies have shown that taking just one break, for less than five minutes, improves mental sharpness by an average of 13%, and that regular breaks of two minutes increase productivity by 11.15%.
  • Become one with nature. Add some plants to your office space, like a succulent or a houseplant. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, working in an environment with plants has been proven to lower stress, and decrease noise, room temperature, and humidity, ultimately creating a calming and cool space.
  • Make sure to stretch. It’s important to get regular exercise outside of work, but during the workday, you should also do small exercises to reduce your fatigue and stiffness. Oftentimes, we subconsciously tense our bodies when we’re stressed, so working out our knots is an important part of staying healthy. Try standing and stretching your arms over your head, resting your eyes on something calming, stretching your fingers, and slowly rotating or massaging your temples, neck, and forearms.

It’s no surprise that most people think of the workplace as a stressful environment. Our bodies are not made to be stationary for long periods of time, and stacks of clutter only add to our stress levels. In order to keep a positive mindset, it is incredibly important to listen to your body. Make your office space clean and let it reflect your personality, and you’ll be on track to a healthy and stress-free workday.

Photo credit: redbookmag.com

The Long-Term Health Benefits of Meditation

The Long-Term Health Benefits of Meditation, original blog by Dreamclinic Massage and Acupuncture Seattle, Redmond, BellevueThere are some weeks when we barely have time to go to the grocery store, let alone relax and enjoy ourselves. With our hectic lives, it seems like those nagging thoughts of to-do lists, and responsibilities creep in even during the calmest times.

So, why are we letting these pesky thoughts ruin the time we do have for relaxation? They’re our thoughts, in our brains, and we should be able to control them. As nice as that sounds, sometimes we need help calming our brain.

Meditation is a powerful first step in reducing stress and finding the peaceful space between our thoughts. Humans have been using this natural practice for more than 3,500 years, and it is a simple, effective way to improve concentration, decrease anxiety, and improve your mood, all by learning how to be an observer of our thoughts first and then learning how to let them go.

Not only does meditation prevent stress in and out of the meditative state, it also has some important long-term health benefits:

Brain changes in attention, memory, learning, and perception. A study done on Buddhist monks showed that these effects last for many years after habitual meditation. These monks also had more brain activity in areas responsible for positive emotions like happiness and relaxation.

A stronger immune system. Studies have shown that those who meditate will produce more antibodies at a faster rate than those who do not meditate. A healthy, peaceful mind reflects on the body.

Milder symptoms of PMS and lower infertility rates. Meditation has been known to help women alleviate uncomfortable symptoms of PMS, hot flashes, and breast-feeding. In addition, after a ten-week meditation program, women struggling with infertility problems exhibited lower anxiety and fatigue than they did before the program, and within the next six months, 34% of those women became pregnant.

Better sleep. Good sleep is essential for peace of mind, and sleep deprivation often goes hand in hand with anxiety and depression. In a study done by the American Journal of Medicine, 100% of the insomnia patients reported that their sleep had improved after practicing meditation. Of those patients, 91% completely eliminated or significantly reduced their use of sleeping pills after the meditation course.

Improved alertness at the office. By eliminating anxious thoughts, meditation enhances other positive aspects of the brain like creativity, intelligence development, and relationship skills. All of these qualities are helpful for the workplace, and can help enhance your best qualities.

If you want to improve your quality of life today, and for the next five to ten years, there is no simpler solution than meditation. Even meditating five minutes every day will reduce stress and improve long-term cognitive function. And, a week when you don’t have time to go to the grocery store won’t seem so bad after all.

 

Picture: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/143130094383542209/

Why Massage Should Be A Year-Round Gift

Sports-Massage-TherapySure, earrings are pretty and clothes are nice, but what do you think about giving a gift that can boost your friend’s mood, improve immunity, and make a positive impact on his or her overall health? Giving the gift of massage is treating a loved one to an experience, one that will soothe a stressed, achy body and will allow your friends and family to feel their best. And, it’s an experience you need to give yourself as well.

Massage is the gift that keeps on giving. The more you get massages, the more health benefits you will experience. It can increase your range of motion, strengthen your immune system, and provide an improved sense of well-being.

This isn’t a one-time thing. Massage should become a frequent habit to maintain your health, just like exercising, eating well-balanced meals, and going to the doctor. This year for the holidays, you can inspire your friends, family, and yourself to make massage a priority in the New Year. Start them off right by giving a gift card or booking a surprise massage day together.

If you’re still not convinced, here are four more reasons why you and your family need to start scheduling frequent massages:

Cuts down on migraines: Researchers at the University of Auckland found that people who suffered from debilitating headaches reporter fewer migraines and more restful sleep after several weeks of massage therapy.

Reduces pain from exercise: Massage provides relief from inflammation, which is the culprit behind post-workout aches and pains.

Supports chronic pain relief: If you or someone you know suffers from arthritis, disc problems, or degenerative joints, massage can provide relief after only a few sessions.

Boosts your mood: Massage increases the level of serotonin in the brain, which boosts your mood and reduces anxiety.

Massage has been used since ancient times to relieve pain and promote healing. It is an effective, natural way to improve well-being and support an active lifestyle. Massage is a great gift for anyone, including yourself, and will ensure your health in the New Year.

Treat your friends, family, and yourself to the gift of massage with 10% off all Dreamclinic gift cards.

Cancer Patients Benefit from Massage

by Diana Khoury

Many of us know someone whose life has been affected by cancer. A cancer diagnosis can produce feelings of anxiety, doubt, confusion, guilt, fear and depression in the patient.1
A complicated diagnosis paired with an extensive course of treatment can be overwhelming to consider. Cancer treatment encompasses physical, emotional, psychological and social elements. Establishing a supportive care team before, during and after cancer treatment is imperative to achieving a positive outcome.

Cancer-Patient

Massage has been shown to help relieve cancer symptoms and reduce the side effects of treatment. Although massage cannot stop the growth or progression of cancer, a PubMed abstract states, “Therapeutic massage as a cancer pain intervention appears to be safe and effective. Patients who receive massage have less procedural pain, nausea, and anxiety and report improved quality of life… Massage has a positive effect on biochemistry, increasing levels of dopamine, lymphocytes, and natural killer cells.”2

“Some people worry that having a massage when you have cancer may make the cancer cells travel to other parts of the body. No research has proved this to be true.”3

A study done by the National Cancer Institute taught personal caregivers of patients (usually family members) massage techniques for cancer care via DVD instruction. Caregivers then regularly massaged their patients. Results of the study showed reduced symptoms and less side effects from cancer treatment, as well as increased social bonding and improved general comfort of the patient.

“‘The magnitude of the impact of family members was unexpected. Our research found significant reductions of pain, anxiety, fatigue, depression and nausea when massage was routinely administered at home by family and caregivers,’ states lead researcher William Collinge, Ph.D.
The study found massage by family members reduced stress/ anxiety (44% reduction), pain (34%), fatigue (32%), depression (31%), and nausea (29%).”4

For cancer patients seeking professional massage services, deep massage is not recommended, due to the potential of bruising and skin sensitivity (from radiation). Physical manipulation of bones is also discouraged, to avoid fractures of bones weakened during treatment of certain types of cancers.5 However, The American Cancer Society recognizes that “gentle massage and bodywork can be adapted to meet the needs of cancer patients.”6 It is recommended that a patient seek approval from their Oncologist before adding massage into their treatment plan.

Massage is increasingly being offered by hospitals and cancer care centers as a supportive therapy for cancer patients.2Massage is a non-invasive, cost effective way for patients to safely and effectively control pain and reduce the need for medications (thus reducing potential side effects). Regular massage can also help patients reduce stress, improve sleep, increase relaxation, boost immune function, and flush out toxins.

Adding massage as part of a comprehensive treatment plan gives cancer patients a greater sense of control over their own care. By decreasing anxiety and improving the ability to cope, massage empowers patients to take charge of their own healing process.

This is an original article from Dreamclinic, Inc. Dreamclinic is a Health and Wellness company committed to sharing information about commonly experienced health conditions and how they may be impacted through the use of bodywork and other natural approaches. Dreamclinic offers massage, acupuncture, and Reiki sessions at its Greenlake and Queen Anne clinics, as well as onsite massage at workplaces around Puget Sound. Contact us to learn more about how Dreamclinic can help you, your family or your workplace experience greater health.

References
1. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/emotionalsideeffects/copingwithcancerineverydaylife/a-message-of-hope-emotional-impact-of-cancer
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16834941
3. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/massage-therapy#
4. http://www.newswise.com/articles/unexpected-impact-when-family-caregivers-learn-touch-and-massage
5. http://lungcancer.about.com/od/treatmentoflungcancer/a/Massage-For-Cancer.htm
6. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/manualhealingandphysicaltouch/massage
Image: www.giveforward.com

Other Resources
1. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/caregivers/healthprofessional
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18638693
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18315504