Gratitude Series: Modalities for Stress Management
In this gratitude series, we want to acknowledge other healing modalities that are great for stress management and reduction beyond yoga. Yoga on its own has incredible benefits that we’ve explored in our previous posts, but yoga paired with the following modalities can have even greater benefits.
These services are a great way to manage and reduce the effects of stress on your body:
Massage: According to Mayo Clinic Health System, “A one-hour massage lowers cortisol in your body while also releasing serotonin. This hormone neurotransmitter is sometimes called the ‘happy chemical’ because it reduces feelings of depression and carries signals between nerves and your body. By lowering cortisol and increasing serotonin, you're boosting your body's ability to fight off pain, anxiety and feelings of sadness.” Mayo Clinic also shares that while some people might see massages as a kind of pampering or luxury, massages have real scientific benefits on your physical and mental/emotional wellness, including reducing stress.
“Massage can lower stress levels and feelings of anxiety. It can improve mood and relaxation while increasing confidence and self-image. […] It can create a sense of relief and empowerment, and allow you to focus on your mind-body connection.”
Sign up here for your next massage with Shelly!
Reiki: Anyone who’s experienced Reiki knows the profound calm and relaxation that quiets and soothes our chattering, busy minds during or following a session. Reiki is an energy-healing technique where a wellness practitioner serves as a conduit for the universal life-force energy that helps to remove energetic blockages from the body. With time to rest in a soothing atmosphere with the option of a gentle, hands-on approach, or hands-off option, the body is able to fully relax in a safe and comfortable environment. This complementary therapy is a great addition to other self-care routines and medical treatment as it promotes rest, relaxation, stress reduction, an improved sense of self and wellbeing, and an improved mood.
Sign up here for your next Reiki session with Autumn!
Sound Bath: According to the National Eczema Association, “Some benefits of sound therapy include stress relief, reduced muscle tension, more sound sleep, increased confidence and energy and reduced symptoms from health conditions.”
When humans are exposed to external vibrations such as music, or the ambient sounds of musical instruments, a phenomenon known as entrainment can occur. Entrainment is the synchronization of a person’s bodily systems with that external vibration. This creates “a stable frequency, meaning it helps you downshift from normal waking consciousness to relaxed consciousness, and even [to a] meditative state and sleep, when internal healing occurs. In essence, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes activated and the sympathetic nervous system (better known as the ‘fight or flight’ response) is calmed. This usually makes people feel more relaxed and positive.”
By resting your body and allowing the vibrations of ambient sound waves to wash over you, you aid your body in achieving the levels of relaxation necessary to promote physical and emotional healing.
Sign up here for our next Sound Bath with Jaquie!
Any one of these modalities on its own, in combination with each other, or in addition to your yoga practice, will aid in improving your sense of well-being, in reducing the harmful effects of stress on the body and mind, and in helping you feel like a calmer, happier you.
Show gratitude for all your body does for you each day, and explore these offerings to discover which modalities work best for you!
— Gabbie Gordon, Client Experience Manager
Read More at Mayo Clinic Health System: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/massage-for-depression-anxiety-and-stress, and National Eczema Association: https://nationaleczema.org/blog/how-sound-therapy-can-help-with-eczema-and-stress/
