Whatever celebration is around the corner, there is a lot to do to occupy our mind and time while keeping our wallets on a good exercise routine that we only wish the rest of our body was experiencing too!

            Through the decorations, joys and celebrations of this time of year, many find themselves less than cheerful and even depressed.  It is a time of rushing here and there, too many parties where you might not really fit in, missed relationships, family grieving and remembrance of better times.  It’s hard to look ahead and find the joy of celebration.  This is a time needing intentional planning for your own good and for the good of those who look to you for support. 

            Depression is always higher around a time of celebration.  This aspect also intensifies the pain of chronic problems too while we’re trying so hard to act like we have it all together and we can do it all.  Sometimes you can feel like you wish you were just little once again in the safety of your family home with mommy taking care of all your needs.  The dinner is ready, there are lots of toys to play with, friends around and when you don’t feel well; mom was there to sooth you.  Reading this may conjure up thoughts from your child hood.  We have an instinct of wanting soothing when we are hurting.  We respond to touch.  Infants are rocked to sleep, gently patted on the back. Toddlers are picked up and hugged at every little stumble from trying to walk.  Touch and hugs are so necessary just to say we care.  When we get hurt, what is the first thing we all do?  We rub it; it is a natural instinct that tells us touch makes us feel better. There is healing in positive touch.  It goes way deeper than you may realize.

            Americans have become a touch deprived society.  Somewhere we have lost the social aspect of simply touching.  We accidentally brush against someone or our hands touch while making simple transactions and we say “excuse me” or “I’m sorry”.   In other countries, touching and hugging are a normal part of living within a society.  Studies have been done watching couples, married and unmarried, at restaurants.  While some nationalities touched up to 100 times during the course of the meal, American’s rarely touched even 5 times!  We hold back hugs and pats on the back for fear of someone taking it the wrong way as we are congratulating.  Teachers and coaches today have to be so extra careful not to make body contact.  Meanwhile, many are so hungry to be touched and hugged; to be shown that someone cares about them.  The widow/widower that is used to being hugged and caressed is now left with a customary hand shake when the appropriate setting demands it. 

            This is where massage therapy can play such a significant role in our mental and physical health and wellness during stressful times.  It is a great positive touch that focuses entirely on you.  Pain is lessened, a sense of well-being is greater and the after effects of feeling truly cared for and pampered flow into many areas of our being.  Immune function is heightened so we can still fulfill our schedules, but time was taken for yourself; thus making you a better parent, spouse, employee and person.  Not all massages are alike.  Find a place where the whole person is addressed and the massage is personalized, not just a routine.  Ask around for a great place that makes a difference in peoples lives.

            Tiffany Fields from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, has spent her life researching the effects of positive touch.  She has documented how massage can help many different ailments: “The Touch Research Institute has conducted over 100 studies on the positive effects of massage therapy on many functions and medical conditions in many different age groups. Among the significant research findings are enhanced growth (e.g. in preterm infants), diminished pain (e.g. fibromyalgia), decreased autoimmune problems (e.g., increased pulmonary function in asthma and decreased glucose levels in diabetes), enhanced immune function (e.g., increased natural killer cells in HIV and cancer), and enhanced alertness and performance (e.g., EEG pattern of alertness and better performance on math computations). Many of these effects appear to be mediated by decreased stress hormones.” http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/research.htm  lists the many documents sorted by symptoms for your convenience of seeing how massage could help you.

            For this season and beyond, be more responsible in taking care of yourself as well as thinking of the perfect gift for others who are stressed on your list.  In fact, the number one reason people get their first massage is because it was given to them.  Notice I said “their first massage”, that’s because once it’s experienced, the benefit is understood more fully and they begin to choose massage as a part of their wellness program. The gift of massage is needed by many, experienced by few; mostly because the importance and significance of massage is misunderstood.  Just like exercise, eating healthy, or taking supplements, the more regular it’s done the greater the overall benefit.   I recommend massage on a monthly or semi-monthly basis for most people, more often if certain issues are being addressed.  This is yet another way many foreign countries are ahead of us; massage, supplements, homeopathy, acupuncture, etc are on every corner, taking care of the community.  In America, we have fast food places on every corner…another topic for another day!  I truly think insurances will someday be paying for massage.  They sure talk about it a lot and show pictures in their newsletters, but until many people speak up and report the personal value, it will be left to us. 

            What about you?  Will you take the time for yourself or to talk to a loved one about getting a personalized massage?  It’s the gift that can keep on giving, for you and them.