Living in a space that is not connected to oneself can be detrimental to our mental and emotional health. Feeling trapped in an environment that doesn't align with our values and beliefs can be overwhelming. However, imagine living in a space of peace and love where you feel comfortable and free to grow. Many of us would choose this option, yet we often find ourselves stuck in between spaces, unsure of how to move forward.
The anti-aging effect of intermittent fasting is quite profound. It slows down the aging process and has been found to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation ( 1 ). IF can also suppress genes that accelerate the risk of age-related chronic disease like cancer, Alzheimer's and diabetes ( 2 ).
I often find myself tapping my foot, shaking my leg, and shifting in my seat when I am in a stressful situation.
I have come to realize that I have a very delayed stress response.
I feel tension only after the event has happened.
You've probably seen this happen: someone is stressed out, and seemingly out of nowhere, they just break down. They're crying, their body is shaking, they're hyperventilating… it can be hard to watch. But what's happening isn't necessarily that they started freaking out at the moment—it's more likely that they had a delayed response to the stress.
A delayed stress response is an incredibly common reaction, and it can occur a few hours after an event or even a few days later. They can look like anger, sadness, or anxiety, and they can also manifest as physical symptoms—like headaches or stomachaches—or through things like social withdrawal or sleep disturbances.
When people have such a delayed stress reaction, it's usually because the situation has been so overwhelming for them that their bodies shut down at the moment and wait until later to start processing their feelings. They might not even realize at first that something is wrong until the emotion comes out of nowhere!
Once you've identified that you're having a delayed stress reaction, there are some techniques you can use to help yourself get through it. You don't have to wait until it's over before you take care of yourself—you can practice self-care even during
Here are our favorite five ways to reduce stress:
Balance responsibilities (like schoolwork) with activities you enjoy (like relaxing or spending time with friends). It's all about balance: all work and no play is bad.
Make sure your workload is manageable. Manage your time wisely, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Eat healthy foods. No, really—this one makes a big difference! A healthy diet will help you feel better, both physically and mentally.
Get proper sleep. You'll feel much better if you go to bed at a reasonable hour each night and get at least 8 hours of sleep.
Make time to exercise every day. This may seem like the last thing you want to do when you're stressed but trust us: exercise has been proven to have a positive effect on mental health.
Marcus Aurelius “You’re better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.”
Feedback whether it is constructive or destructive stings. In my teens, I created my first song and recorded it. The response was generally well until one came in that said it's not bad BUT it's not as good as D’Angelo’s (Recording Artist who had a hit called How Does It Feel)………...this stopped my creative pursuit to attempt to finish the rest of the album. It got SCRAPPED because my ego felt like CRAP. Fully acknowledge the EGO bruised and stained, the wisdom comes later I create from a place of care and love of the process. I learned when I was young that I was trying to get the approval of one particular person which did not line up to my soulful purpose of doing GOOD and inherently down the narrow path of not so GOOD. The parallel to this is that as children we look for the approval of our peers or parents but fail to see the caring people that are on our peripherals that have been waiting for our craft to be released. The cycle continues as we look for validation as the person looking up at us is looking for our blessing. There has to be a better way of acknowledging and sharing our energy with those looking for what we are doing. Why do we play for one particular person or group? We need only a few to understand our work and look forward to what we are bringing to the table. Simply, bring your best version of yourself at that moment with consistency. This will yield to a high percentage of many seeing your true gift. You are the Gift.
What caused you to stop your creative work? Are you now ready to pursue it again?
by Ryan Hayes RMT
A new year. A new variant. A new challenge. A new stress. While the global upheaval persists, many people continue to struggle with isolation from friends and family, scheduling conflicts of homeschooling children, and a topsy-turvy work environment, finding ways to create consistency can be difficult. There seems to be less and less that we can rely upon for stability. One thing that needs to remain constant through this turbulent time is our sense of self.
As the responsibilities of the individual continue to mount, we can easily find ourselves sinking beneath the surface of functional physical and mental health. Now, more than ever is the time to put ourselves first. How can we be either a supportive spouse, sibling, parent, teacher, or coworker if we are struggling to stay afloat? What can we offer to others if we refuse to pay attention to our own needs?
Many of us are quite adept at putting everybody else and their needs before our own. Further, the responsibilities of the average individual often exceed the energetic output available to effectively manage the altered pandemic lifestyle of today. However, there are many people out there whose job is to help declutter the brain, relieve tension from the body, and help restore a better balance between the body and the mind.
Today’s society necessitates active reflection over our state of health. We need to make sure to take some time to put ourselves first. The time for this does exist. We do not have to create time. We have to allocate time. It is neither impossible nor unreasonable to take an hour or two a month to have our batteries recharged. It is essential to seek out a healthcare provider to help in the areas we are finding ourselves deficient or need support.
This help can come in the form of a talk therapist, a massage therapist, a personal trainer, an acupuncturist, an osteopath, etc. There are many different venues and practitioners to help with the multitude of strains that we are put through daily. Even a car needs an oil change every 5000km. We are no different. Unfortunately, we drive our bodies until they run out of gas. This is not ideal in the long run.
We must resolve to invest in our health. If our health suffers then all aspects of our existence are diminished. A mind cannot function optimally if it is distracted by the woes of the body. Further, the hamster wheel in the head can grind the body to a halt. To function effectively in the home and society our body must function effectively from the inside out. A healthy individual can be a productive individual.
We save for our retirement, we save for our children’s education, we save for a home, we save for a trip. When these moments arrive how can we enjoy them if our health is less than functional? Part of saving for the future is investing in our health today. Make massage therapy a part of your support network. Your daily productivity, your sleep, and your ability to manage stress will improve. Your body and mind will thank you.
Face your fear but don’t always be looking for things to fear.
Finding difficult situations to grow is important but the need to grow requires filling the weak points of life.
Double down on weak points to enhance the great points to become a premium contributor to life.
Good guys didn’t finish last but they never joined the race.
Pain is something that you hold on to. Find a way to let it pass through you.
Please feel free to add by commenting below:
Happy new year everybody! As a kick off to 2022 I wanted to post an updated biography along with different aspects of my education so that people interested in coming in for treatment have an idea of the different modalities that I weave together to create a comprehensive and therapeutic experience.
I graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a BSc in biology before moving to Toronto and enrolling in the internationally recognized Sutherland-Chan School and Teaching Clinic. I subsequently completed the 2200 hour massage therapy diploma program in 2002. Two years later I learnt craniosacral therapy from Sutherland-Chan co-founder, Grace Chan. I am presently finishing my diploma in the science of osteopathy at the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto. I have completed all five years of the program and will graduate after completion of my thesis: The effect of global osteopathic treatment on subjects undergoing PTSD rehabilitation as measured by HRV (heart rate variability).
I have garnered an extensive range of experience through my two decades of practice. My knowledge and application of massage therapy techniques reflect my broad scope of education. I believe that simplicity and awareness is the path to healing. With a strong foundation of anatomy and physiology, combined with years of exploring how to effectively dialogue with the body, I provide an effective, therapeutic, and informative treatment experience. I find that continued observation and personal reflection are key ways to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Following are the four main modalities that I combine in my massage therapy treatment:
1. Massage therapy uses a combination of dynamic strokes, stretching, gentle joint mobilizations, and pressure points to release tension held within and between muscles, joints, and tendons. However, the body is more than just a muscular system. Therefore, it is worth exploring the other physiological systems that may be contributing to the presenting symptom picture. Different anatomy and different tensions require different techniques. The trick to unlocking tension is utilizing the right key in the right lock. Pain manifests in numerous ways. It is important to decipher the dysfunctional anatomy that is contributing to the pain pattern.
2. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on therapy that, in a massage therapy appointment, primarily involves treating the cranium. The fingers are placed on the different parts of the skull that correspond to the different cranial bones. These hand positions are used for evaluation and for treatment. While the pressure used for these techniques is quite light, the depth and effect of this modality can be quite profound. Craniosacral therapy can be effective for migraines, headaches, vertigo, tinnitus, TMJ issues, sinus issues, PTSD, muscular tension, and digestive issues to name a few. It is a non-invasive modality that may sometimes be paired with breathing to enhance the effect of the techniques.
3. Reiki is a Japanese energy technique primarily used for stress reduction and relaxation, but also promotes healing, balance, and grounding. Energetic stasis is also a contributor to congestion and disease. It can be received while fully clothed and independent of a massage therapy appointment. Reiki is a combination of hands on and hands-off therapy. It is extremely beneficial for releasing tension that may be present due to either past, present, or anticipated stress or trauma. Reiki is therapeutic, meditative, and spiritual in nature. Its origins come from Rei (the higher power) and Ki (life force energy) meaning “spiritually guided life force energy.” While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. Reiki promotes harmony between mind and body.
4. Osteopathy is a reductionist form of therapy that observes a symptom and attempts to trace it back to its origin. This modality considers the integration of the different systems of the body (muscular, skeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, etc.) in an attempt to optimize the physiological efficiency of the individual. Where many therapies treat locally to the presentation of a symptom, osteopathy aims to discover and remove significant blocks that inhibit full function of all anatomy in dysfunction. Osteopathy delves deeper into the anatomy to reinforce the idealized state of health for the whole body, rather than only treating observable outward presentation.
I hope this provides a historical overview of myself and what I offer as a massage therapy service. I look forward to seeing you in 2022.
