Submitted by: Sheryl Rose Payba

According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), findings of scientific studies have shown that massage therapy is effective in freeing people from stress and facilitating the achievement of a healthy work-life balance. This includes reflexology massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy which can be availed of at a therapeutic massage spa in Beaverton that serves people in Washington County, Clackamas, Keizer, Lake Oswego, Portland, Tualatin, Sherwood, and Vancouver WA.

People nowadays are highly stressed according to Amy Lynn Smith in an article she wrote for Massage Envy Magazine, published in its Fall 2009 online issue. Much of this stress is related to the demands and pressures of work vis a vis the need to have time for one s self and one s family. Smiths referred to Susan Bartell, Psy.D., a psychologist and author specializing in work-life balance and based in fast-paced New York who said, People are afraid of losing their jobs, or they re feeling guilty because the guy who was with the company for 20 years just got laid off. They feel like they need to work harder to keep their jobs or make more money, but they still want to be there for their kid s Little League game, too.

Smith explained that many scientific studies have proven that massage therapy reduces stress by lowering the levels of the hormone cortisol in the body. This is aptly called the stress hormone. Reduced cortisol levels result in a much better emotional state. Massage therapy therefore also results in lowered blood pressure.

Another way of reducing stress and achieving the much sought after work-life balance is to draw firm boundaries between work and home life, Smith said. She reported Dr. Bartell as saying, When you re at work, work the more time you spend being distracted by gossip or personal e-mails, the later you ll have to work. And when you re home with your family, be fully focused on your family. Be present and in the moment wherever you are. Spending time with people you love fosters feelings of happiness and high self-worth. And don t waste precious free time with people you don t like. Dr. Bartell even recommended turning off the office connected PDA when at home or out with the family so that one can devote full attention to loved ones.

Psychologist Debra Condren, Ph.D. told Smith that even household chores should not detract from family time. She said, You might feel like you shouldn t pay someone to do work you could do, but you might actually be losing money by doing the work yourself instead of hiring someone to do tasks like cleaning your house. This is because the stress caused by more work could result in illness.

Smith recommended using the freed up time not only to be with the family but to also have personal time. This could include going for a walk, enjoying a cup of herbal tea, stretching and having a massage. Dr. Bartell concurred and also recommended getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet and doing daily relaxation exercises, saying, It can be as simple as taking four or five really deep breaths every hour. Everyone can do that. Anything that can help relax you and make you feel like you re nurturing yourself is beneficial.

Smith identifies reflexology massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, hot stone massage therapy and cranial sacral massage therapy as some of the massage modalities which have been shown to be most effective for stress relief. Deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy are also known for bringing about stress relief in addition to other therapeutic benefits, though. It is of utmost importance, however, that any chosen massage therapy modality is administered by a professional massage therapist from a reputable therapeutic massage spa. There is one in Beaverton that serves people in Washington County, Clackamas, Keizer, Lake Oswego, Portland, Tualatin, Sherwood, and Vancouver WA.

About the Author: Massage Envy Cedar Hills2680 SW Cedar Hills BlvdBeaverton, OR 97005Phone: (503) 726-3689Email: customerservice@massageenvy-cedarhills.comWebsite:

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