any of us are all too familiar with the mental and physical stress that comes with work. Whether it is working in front of a computer eight hours a day to carrying heavy equipment around during your part-time shifts, there is always something you can do to relieve tension caused by stress.
“Self-massage is helpful for relaxing and to de-stress,” says Chad Friel, a registered massage therapist and yoga therapist. “It’s helpful [for the immune system as well] because it reduces cortisol levels” and increases the activity of white blood cells, which help our body fight diseases. Here are Friel’s four self-massage techniques for stress relief.
Tension headaches are caused by overactive or tight muscles, which is a direct result of overwork and not enough rest. Set aside any electronic equipment you have and turn away from your computer screen, when applying the following self-massage technique:
Do you sometimes feel like you’re carrying the weight of your work on your shoulders? Well, that’s only because you do. Whether you are carrying around heavy equipment or are sitting eight hours a day behind your computer screen, your back, neck and shoulders can feel the tension of a long day’s work. If that’s the case for you, maybe you can try this out:
Our necks are also no stranger to tension. Muscle tightness or stiffness around the neck can be caused by poor posture, hunching over the computer, a poor sleeping position, stress, trauma or tension headaches, to name a few. Whenever you experience any tension around your neck, try to do the following:
When you have no time and you are at the brink of a stressful day, this last technique of ours is the one for you. Whether it is mental or physical stress, some of us will need a few seconds to clear our minds in order to keep working productively. This breathing technique should help keep you going:
Make managing your stress a priority this year and turn any tiring day into an energetically productive one. Whether you are regularly facing a stressful work environment, home life or are running on a busy travel schedule, we hope these tips can help you take a break and relax before getting back into the grind. For more tips to creating a better year for yourself, visit our list of the 5 Best Resolutions To Make the Most of 2021.
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