Plugged in and nowhere to hide

"Well, la-dee-da, look at you. Treating yourself to a dental cleaning so your teeth don't drop right out of your head. That must cost a pretty penny." Ever heard that statement before? Probably not.

Getting your teeth cleaned generally involves sitting with your mouth wide open for an extended period of time under an 8-million watt bulb while someone picks and scratches away with an arsenal of sharp instruments resembling prison shanks. There's also a certain degree of spitting and drooling involved all set to the soundtrack of a station destined to have a Michael Bolton song somewhere in the mix. Not so much of a good time. Massage sometimes involves drooling but feels great, there's a sense of total pampering and complete relaxation. When the massage ends (the only bad part is that it does end) you leave feeling like a new person. What's better than that?

Both seeing the dentist and massage are forms of self care. We all know why we should see the dentist whether we want to or not. I don't think anyone views dental visits as indulgent. The ways in which massage helps to improve and maintain our health might not be as obvious or as pressing as keeping your teeth, but massage shouldn't be dismissed as simply a luxury. Yes, massage does involve a certain degree of indulgence. It feels amazing and it isn't exactly free (sorry, my kids insist on eating) but if we look at some of the other things we splurge on--lattes, pocket books, manicures--and put it in perspective, massage really isn't all that decadent.

Living in the go-go-go culture that we do, we are constantly plugged in with nowhere to hide. Massage is an opportunity to unplug and unwind. Don't underestimate the value in that alone. You have one solid hour to yourself to do nothing. When does that ever happen? Nobody will ask you for anything more than 'could you roll over and slide down so that you are out of the face cradle'. Way more enjoyable than the dentist and I promise you: There will be no spitting or Michael Bolton. Office policy.

So while you are getting a massage, completely relaxed, feeling like a million bucks, indulging away this is what is really happening:

You are decreasing your stress level which in turn can reduce the syptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, digestive disorders and the potential for heart disease and a multitude of other conditions linked to increased stress levels. You are also decreasing muscular tension that can cause postural imbalances which can ultimately lead to chronic, painful conditions and limited range of motion.

 

Not too shabby.


For the cost of what someone might easily spend over the course of a month on lattes/lunch out you could get a massage. When you weigh the health benefits of massage against the cost of the stress we let pile up, it's really not all that indulgent. Make an appointment to unplug and unwind. Optimal Wellness offers reasonably priced massage therapy. Knowing that should reduce your stress before you even make it in the door.