To Feel Good is the Ultimate Gift
The New Year is officially here, and after a few weeks of family time, festive activities, and delicious meals over the holidays, we understand that settling back into a normal routine can be daunting. Depending on how you spent your holiday season, you might be coming into 2023 either feeling exhausted and burnt out or recharged and ready to crush your goals. At Urban Massage and Wellness, we want to help you kick off this new year with a few healthy habits that will help keep your physical and mental health top-of-mind in the days, weeks, and months to come.
Live Well with the Health Benefits of Massage Therapy
We want you to approach the next 365 days with the tools and knowledge you need to enjoy healthy living year-round. There are many massage techniques that not only soothe sore muscles and joints but also promote circulation and lymph flow, which can improve a wide variety of physical and mental health concerns.
Let’s dive into our eight tips for healthy living in the New Year and for the long haul.
Get Enough Sleep
First thing first: your body needs restful sleep to function properly throughout the day. No matter how you adjust your exercise, eating habits, or work environment, nothing will make as big of an impact as giving your body the gift of a full night’s sleep. There are many science-supported tips you can try to sleep better and rest well. One of these tips is regular massage therapy to help your body relax and unwind for a restful slumber.
Prioritize Your Mental Health
Did you know that many types of massage therapy can be used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression? In addition to treating muscle tension and pain, therapeutic massage techniques can help reduce cortisol levels, a stress hormone, in the body by stimulating circulation and blood flow to help calm the nervous system.
Move Your Body
Regular physical activity is essential when it comes to living well. According to the CDC, the health benefits of moving your body extend from weight loss and weight management to improved brain health, stronger bones and muscles, and reduced risk of disease. Exercising regularly can also improve your ability to enjoy everyday activities with ease.
When you’re incorporating movement into your daily routine, you may experience a few aches and pains while your body gets used to regular exercise, so we recommend booking a therapeutic massage to give your muscles and joints a little TLC as they adapt to your healthy lifestyle!
Listen to Your Joints
For some people, losing weight is an important goal for healthy living, which can mean introducing the body to new movements and exercises that wake up the joints and muscles. Don’t get discouraged by sore joints, though, as many types of massage therapy can help alleviate those aches and pains so you can continue building on your health and wellness journey.
Use Food as Fuel
Another key tip for healthy living is to be mindful of how you are fuelling your body! Now, we’re not talking about following fad diets or dangerous eating habits, but we are talking about the importance of cooking balanced meals that will keep you full, focused, and energized throughout the day. Focus on cooking with healthy ingredients like olive oil (high in antioxidants!) and incorporating a hearty mix of vegetables, complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats into your meal planning while limiting your intake of processed foods that are high in trans fats, sodium, and other ingredients that can affect your cholesterol levels.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to healthy eating at home, we encourage you to consult with a registered dietitian about your health and wellness goals!
Stay Hydrated
We can’t stress this tip enough–drink water! Here’s what water does for your body when you stay hydrated throughout the day:
● Spreading nutrients and oxygen through the body
● Boosting healthy digestion
● Improving regularity in your bowels
● Keeping your blood pressure in check
● Giving your joints a little extra love
● Keeping your organs and tissues safe
● Regulating your body temperature
When it comes to knowing how much water to drink in a day, this number varies from person to person, but drinking 4-6 glasses per day is a good place to start. At Urban Massage and Wellness, we often tell our clients to drink lots of water after their massage to replenish the body after a well-deserved therapy session.
Go with the (Lymph) Flow
We see a lot of clients that are suffering from lymphedema, which is a medical condition caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in the lymph nodes. When your lymphatic system is clogged up, you might experience swollen extremities, heaviness, and tingling, among other symptoms of lymphedema. Even if you don’t have lymphedema, your lymph nodes can still swell as a defense mechanism against viruses, bacterial infections, and even stress. Addressing these symptoms can drastically improve your quality of life, which is why we recommend trying manual osteopathy to stimulate healthy lymph flow through the body.
Try Something New
Healthy living is all about finding what works best for your mind, body, and soul! Whether you decide to take up a new sport or hobby (we offer a sports massage if you’re considering joining an adult recreational league), set a new goal for how many steps you take in a day, or whip up an exciting list of recipes to try at home, anything that boosts your health and wellness can make a huge difference in your everyday life.
Your Healthy Lifestyle Starts at Urban Massage and Wellness
Kickstart your healthy living journey with a relaxing massage at Urban Massage and Wellness, St. Albert’s trusted massage therapy clinic. Our talented massage therapists are here to support you and cheer for you every step of the way. Make your health a top priority in 2023, and book your next massage online today.
