Natural ways beat stress and anxiety in Brighton

These hard economic times bring along with them record stress levels as people cope with a variety of anxiety-inducing issues. Instead of resorting to prescription drugs, many people have begun to seek natural alternatives for controlling stress and anxiety.

Relaxing therapies like massage, yoga and reiki have enjoyed an increased popularity over these past few years as people struggle to cope with a range of burdens. Massage therapy, which used to primarily be used by women, has experienced a huge surge in male patronage. Massage has a variety of benefits that extend beyond the relaxation of the session itself.

Regular massage can improve your circulation, reduce chronic anxiety, promote natural bodily healing processes, relieve muscle tension, and lower blood pressure. Regular massage is usually characterized as once or twice per month. Reasonable packages can now be found in several massage service chains, as well as locally owned businesses.

Yoga is another excellent stress relieving practice that can also tone the body and provide excellent fitness benefits. Yoga is particularly helpful in managing stress even after your regular sessions because it helps you to master deep breathing. It helps you to control your respiration during stressful times, which eases the impact of anxiety on the heart and other body functions.

Yoga has also been associated with lower blood pressure, improved mood, better immunity and improved gastrointestinal health. Often times stress is associated with digestive and gastrointestinal discomfort, high blood pressure and poor immune function. For many people, yoga really helps with curbing stress and a lot of its related physical manifestations.

Exercise, in general, is an excellent antidote to anxiety. Multiple studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise reduces the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, circulating in the blood stream. Exercise also elevates our levels of feel good hormones such as serotonin. Serotonin, one of the main neurochemicals responsible for elevated mood, can be greatly reduced by periods of anxiety.

Increasing the circulation of these natural chemicals in the body greatly increases our ability to deal with distressing or frustrating situations. The simple act of intense aerobic activity also can help you vent your frustrations and distract you from ruminating about a particular problem.

Reiki is another practice that has gained in popularity the past few years. Reiki originated in Japan. It is a healing and relaxing therapy; whereby, the practitioner transfers his or her healing power to the patient via light touch on affected body parts. It is primarily used to help heal physical ailments, but also has been used as a relaxation and meditation therapy.

If you are looking for a natural supplement that can help reduce anxiety, there are a few that seem to be helpful for a majority of people that take them. The first is St. John's Wort, which is used as both a natural antidepressant and anxiety remedy.

Passion flower is used for relaxation and easing of tension associated with chronic stress. Kava is another herbal remedy that is used to help combat anxiety and calm nerves. Kava is also very useful as a natural sleep aid.

Here at Little Jasmine Therapies in Brighton we believe that everyone should be able to experience the long term benefits of massage therapy and that is why we offer discount loyalty packages that give you up to 30% off on your regular massage treatments.

25 ways to improve your health and happiness in 2012

The New Year is quickly approaching us, and for many people, it includes a New Year's resolution for achieving improved health and happiness in 2012. Here are twenty-five health-enhancing ideas to help you accomplish that goal.

#1 - Replace sodas or soft drinks with tea or water.

#2 - Commit to eating one raw fruit (or serving of vegetables) at every meal.

#3 - Add just 5 minutes a day to your exercise routine. Don't have an exercise routine? Start with 5 minutes a day!

#4 - Get more sunshine!

#5 - Learn some Pilates. It's probably the #1 exercise system for core strength and flexibility.

#6 - Drink a superfood smoothie every day.

#7 - Buy more indoor plants: They purify the air in your home.

#8 - Take a quality, wild-harvested fish oil supplement that contains vitamin D.

#9 - Eat more quinoa: It's a high-protein, low-carb "grain" that can easily replace rice or couscous.

#10 - When you get out of bed each morning, do five sit-ups first. It sounds simple, but just 5 sit-ups a day can make a difference.

#11 - Instead of trying to find a parking spot so close to the grocery store, park farther away. You'll get a little more walking exercise and a little more sunshine.

#12 - Get a good water filter so you can stop drinking tap water (or bottled water).

#13 - Pick up a "gentle" art like Tai-Qi or Yoga. It will reduce your stress and improve your physical stamina.

#14 - Take a relaxing hot bath with epsom salts and soothing herbs like lavender. It will do wonders for your mind and your muscles.

#15 - Get a professional massage! Massage therapy is really, really healthy, and it's a great way to reward yourself for some of the other accomplishments you're making.

#16 - Grow your own sprouts! With a simple, low-cost sprouting machine, you can grow and eat your own sprouts. Eating just one ounce of sprouts a day still had a huge impact on preventing cancer and boosting immune function.

#17 - Prepare for a Spring garden, make a commitment to start a garden this Spring, and you'll reap many health benefits in the months ahead.

#18 - Get a mini-trampoline and do some rebounding in your living room. You can even watch movies or documentary DVDs at the same time.

#19 - Make a point to get at least eight hours of sleep for 2-3 nights a week (or more, if you can). Most people are sleep deprived, and the health cost is enormous.

#20 - Start visiting local farmer's markets so that you eat more local food in 2012. You'll be healthier and happier as a result.

#21 - Got a job you don't like? Quit it! Downgrade your lifestyle to live on less money, then pursue what you really enjoy. Being happy in a small house is better than being miserable in a big one.

#22 - Get off those medications! Make a point to learn how to safely and gradually get yourself off all the medications you can by eliminating underlying imbalances or illnesses. The fewer medications you take, the healthier you'll be!

#23 - Throw out your television! Are you still watching cable TV or satellite TV? It's a complete waste of your life (but you already knew that). Disconnect the cable. Read more books and get your information online where news sources are more independent and intelligent.

#24 - Make a decision to think of food as nourishment instead of entertainment. Eat what your body needs, not what your taste buds desire.

#25 - Teach others how to be healthy! The more you talk with others about healthy habits, the more you'll follow them yourself. :-)

That's it! I hope you enjoyed these 25 ideas for improving your health in 2012 (and beyond).

Of course, one of the best ways to keep improving your health in 2012 is to keep vising Little Jasmine Therapies in Brighton!

We are looking forward to sharing a great year with you!

What Is A Spa Treatment?

Spa treatments are the services that a spa provides. The most popular spa treatment in the UK and a good place to start is massage. It has been around for thousands of years and has a number of health benefits.

Other popular spa treatments include facials and body treatments like salt glows and body wraps.
Most spas have a nail salon offering spa manicures and spa pedicures . Spas with salons offer hair cutting and styling services.

Once you've tried the basic spa treatments, you might want to branch out to different types of massage like Thai massage , hot stone massage or reflexology. You should talk to your esthetician about what facial services or body treatments would be most appropriate for your skin type.

Remember, the most important thing you can do to enjoy your trip to the spa in Brighton is arrive at least 15 minutes before your treatment is scheduled to begin. That way you can check in, change into your robe, and start to relax. If the spa has facilities like a sauna, steam bath, or hot tub, arrive even earlier.

Stimulating body’s natural energy field in Brighton can promote healing

Researchers now say that practitioners don’t have to use a lot of force or pressure to elicit the body’s own healing response as the body has its own energy or "biomagnetic field" produced by the heart and circulatory system. That field can be altered by acupuncture needles, light and touch therapies, homeopathy, massage, and even by the therapists' own positive thoughts.

Studies in the past have shown scientific evidence that this type of energy medicine works. Orthopedic surgeons use small amounts of electrical current to stimulate the healing of bone fractures and doctors use electrical nerve stimulation to help ease pain. Thus researchers say, alternative therapy practitioners who are sensitive to their patients can use their own energy field to help stimulate the healing response.

Tiny fields [of energy] have big effects on cells hence, therapy can be done with less energy and more effectiveness . Treating a shoulder injury could be a matter of getting the right amount of energy in the right place. In conclusion researchers say practitioners should use their intuition to help them figure out how much is the right amount of energy for each patient.

Tips to Bring More Health to Your Life

We all want to live long, healthy and happy lives. There are natural things we can do to improve our chances, none of which cost a lot of money or are particularly difficult to accomplish. It takes practice, repetition and consistency to make your daily plan for healthy living a success.

Be physically active. A daily routine that includes regular exercise is good for your sense of well-being and overall general health. It will help you sleep better, too. A regular exercise program will keep you flexible and strong. As we age, our bones and joints tend to become stiff and inflamed. Regular exercise keeps these aches and pains at bay. Exercise doesn't have to be painful to be good for you. Several periods of light exercise a week will serve you well. Consistency is the real key.

Eat a healthy diet. Be sure to include a variety of healthful fruits and vegetables in what you eat each day. Raw foods are especially good for you. They contain more fiber and nutrients because these things are lost by cooking. Eat complex carbohydrates and fresh, not dried or frozen proteins. Lower your fat intake if it is more than 30% of your daily intake. Three to five servings of carbohydrate in the form of starches and fruits should be included in each meal.

Drink alcohol only in moderation as alcohol can be very hard on the body in large quantities. Just one drink can cause cellular death in several organs such as the brain. Drink mixed drinks that contain fruit or vegetable juice as healthy diluents for the alcohol. Sip your drinks, don't gulp. Enjoy nonalcoholic drinks. Many restaurants that serve elaborate alcoholic cocktails will prepare them without the alcohol.

Learn how to manage stress. Failure to manage stressors in your life can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and a variety of emotional problems. Take time to relax and practice some form of stress reduction each day. Tai chi, a massage, deep breathing, listening to calming music or other sounds and meditation are all effective stress reducers. At the end of the day, some people swear by calming music, soft lighting and a warm aromatherapy bath.

Get the right amount of sleep for you. Any number of studies will tell you that many people don't sleep enough. While it is possible to sleep too much, most of us don't have that problem. Don't use your sleeping room for eating or working. It's important to maintain an atmosphere that lends itself to sleep. If you regularly eat and work in your sleeping room, your brain will recognize the environment as a waking one. Go to bed at about the same time every night. Your brain will get used to slowing down if you do that at the same time. Always end your day on a calming note. You will sleep better and wake the next day feeling refreshed.

Soothe back pain naturally with various essential oils

Acute or chronic back problems can make everyday life a misery. Acute pain may be caused by a pulled muscle or problems with tendons, ligaments or bone. Incorrect posture, lack of exercise and/or obesity are factors that can take their toll on the back muscles. Aromatherapy using essential oils can relieve back pain naturally.

Many people seek relief for back pain by taking over-the-counter pain medications or prescription drugs which often have negative side effects, decreasing overall well-being. Obviously, not all cases of back pain can be relieved by aromatherapy and it is always wise to seek the advice of a medical professional to discuss treatment options, especially in the event of chronic back pain.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils that are extracted from different plants. These essential oils have medicinal properties, which work on the physical and mental levels to address the ailment at hand and to promote healing.

The best form of aromatherapy for back pain is a massage using essential oils. Simply mix a couple of drops of your chosen oil with a carrier oil and arrange to have a professional masseur or aromatherapist massage your back for you. This serves to increase circulation and to relieve the aching and tightness. Massage therapy also helps to relieve stress and promotes the circulation of blood to the area, while the aroma of the essential oils works through the olfactory system.

Best essential oils for back pain

The following essential oils can all be used to treat back pain naturally:

Chamomile oil helps to control muscle spasms and has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

Lavender oil prevents muscle spasms and inflammation. It also helps to relieve tension, which may contribute to or worsen back pain.

Clary sage is a very soothing oil. It has a calming effect when one is anxious and muscles are tensed up from pain. It has anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. Do not use clary sage if pregnant.

Yarrow has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties.

Rosemary has analgesic and antispasmodic properties. It is also good for relieving back pain as it improves blood circulation.

Ginger oil can ease back pain and give one more mobility. Blend 1 tablespoon sweet oil, 4 drops wintergreen, 4 drops cardamom and 4 drops ginger oil to make a soothing massage oil.

Peppermint is good for muscle soreness.

Frankincense has anti-inflammatory properties and also acts as a mild sedative.

While you can use any of these oils on their own, it is also beneficial to blend two or more oils together. Do not apply essential oils directly on the skin - blend oils or combinations thereof with a carrier oil first. Optimal aromatherapy blends for relieving back pain include peppermint and rosemary, lavender and frankincense, and chamomile and clary sage.

Take an aromatherapy bath as an effective method to soothe tired, aching muscles and to increase circulation. Add eight to ten drops of essential oils directly to warm bath water and soak for fifteen to twenty minutes.

Massage therapy is good medicine, not merely relaxation

If doctors knew the true causes of health and healing, they'd be prescribing massage therapy to most of their patients rather than prescription drugs. Massage therapy is good medicine, and it's a far more potent healing therapy than most people realize. In fact, I believe that every person, healthy or otherwise, should receive a massage therapy treatment at least once a month.

Why is massage therapy such good medicine? Because it helps move lymph, blood and oxygen to the various organs and tissues in ways that normally don't happen in the bodies of most people. This is especially true for those who don't exercise: for them, massage therapy is critical for maintaining any degree of health.

There's also the "touch factor" of massage therapy that I believe to be remarkably healing. There's something almost magical about the human touch, and its qualities can't be measured with scientific instruments (yet), but researchers know very well that it has powerful physiological effects: touch calms people. It reduces blood pressure, it boost immune system function, and it makes people feel loved. These are very important for those seeking health and healing. (And if you don't believe me, just volunteer at a nursing home some time and offer free hand massages to the patients. I've done this, and you'd be amazed to see the different it makes in the people you're touching.)

The human touch is powerful medicine, which is why I find it so bizarre that doctors seem so afraid of touching their patients. But you don't need a doctor for this kind of healing: find yourself a good massage therapist and get some healing on a monthly basis.