Trouble Sleeping?

First off have to say getting a massage has been shown to help improve sleep. It’s science but in addition to the usual bath and exercise recommendations, I wanted to share the couple of things that have really helped me if I struggle with sleep.

CBD

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This doesn’t work for everyone but I truly love Dram’s CBD products. I think the adaptogens in them make them even more magic. You can get them online and also RItualcravt and Nooch have them in stock.

61 POINT MEDIATION

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This 61 point meditation has been helping me sleep since massage school in 2000. It’s like counting sheep only better because you imagine the points on your body and I was told it keeps the right and left hemispheres of the brain busy. I usually only get through it 2 or 3 times before I’m asleep.

DON’T FIGHT IT

Sometimes if I can’t sleep I just don’t fight it. I get up and do some art or read or watch a show. Usually writing, making lists or journaling will help me get all my anxieties out and then I can drift off easily. The app Insight Timer has a lot of great meditations to help with sleep too.

Happy resting

How to receive the best massage ever.

People have often asked me what’s my favorite massage to receive. The best sessions for me are when I feel like I am floating in the ether, I’m on the table but I’m not. Something more than just physical is happening. There’s an out of this world feeling. When the session is over it takes a minute to come back to earth and to get grounded. My body, mind and spirit feel touched. The benefits from the session are obvious and last for days. I feel better and know a healing change has happened. Different types of body work have given me this sensation from a quick chair massage to deep tissue or quantum shiatsu but the one constant is me and how I show up for my session.

FIND A THERAPIST YOU TRUST

This is a very crucial part because being touched is intimate. Even more so since we are in the midst of a pandemic. Be mindful of practitioners that make claims that they can heal you, it’s a dangerous to give someone so much control and it’s not true. While it might be nice if someone could wave a magic wand to fix everything, bodywork is a co-creative relationship. You have to find someone you can work together with to create the change you are looking for. Find a therapist who is open to following your unique process and not imposing their beliefs on you and respects your time. You should feel comfortable sharing what is going on with your health and they should be a good listener and make space for you to feel comfortable. Consider the practitioner’s education and experience. Are they licensed and insured? Talk with your friends and family to see if there is a practitioner that they can refer. You’ll never receive the best massage ever if you don’t trust the therapist.

BE RECEPTIVE

Have a goal and the belief that change is possible. Be present and in your body as much as possible, this might take practice. Do what you can quiet your mind. Make every effort to leave your stressors at the door. The best massage therapist in the universe cannot make you relax. They can bring your awareness to areas where you are holding and will have techniques that should help support relaxation and healing but it will be much more effective if you consciously make the effort to let go. Just focusing on your breath and sending it to the area where the therapist is working can very helpful. It helps keep you embodied, present and deep breathing reduces blood pressure and stress.

FIND YOUR STYLE

Find a style of massage that you like. Every body is different and some love deep tissue while other people like Swedish. Gaining awareness and the ability to be an advocate for yourself is a vital part of the healing process. There are many different types of bodywork available. One of my favorite reference books is Discovering the Body’s Wisdom. It has introductions to over 50 different “Bodyways” and exploring different styles of bodywork is important if you haven’t found one you love.

PARTICIPATE

Your body is not a car you’re dropping off for an oil change. If you make the choice to receive a session, show up for it. Take some time before to connect with what is going on in your body (mind/spirit) so you can set a goal for what you’d like to work on. Communicate these things with your therapist. If the pressure doesn’t feel right let them know, hopefully they will ask in ways that make you comfortable sharing but most people can’t read minds. The more you pay attention during your session and start making the connections between what you do in your body and how you feel, the longer lasting the results will be because of the heightened awareness you will develop. After you session be mindful of habits that may not be beneficial for your well being. Follow through on suggestions the practitioner makes if they are in alignment with you. Commit to your health and well being.

Summer Light

I recently completed my Quantum Shiatsu certification. Like acupuncture we use the meridians, or energy channels, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shiatsu but rather than working one point with a needle we work the full channel with our hands and thumbs. Meridians are associated with seasons and right now in the Northern Hemisphere we are in Summer. The element associated with Summer is Fire and the organs are Heart and Small Intestines. If you are feeling out of balance this Summer TCM can give you some insights for feeling better.

Taking care of your heart and small intestines during this time is important. Be mindful of what you eat, I think most of us know what makes our heart happy food wise. Reduce sodium, fatty foods and sugar. So much is growing now and eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables during the summer is best. Drink a lot of water or herbal tea helps balance the fire. Exercise is so important to heart health and to help get digestion moving. Do something you enjoy but sweating it out helps mind, body and spirit.

Herbs can be used to strengthen your fire too. Cayenne pepper is a tonic and a stimulant. It’s high in vitamin C too! You can mix it in water or take capsules daily. Ginger root is also great for this time of year. Add 6-8 thin slices of ginger root to 2 cups of boiling water and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Red clover blossoms steamed as a tea is another good summertime herb. If you are too hot try some cooling herbs like mint, hibiscus and chamomile. Some herbs that are good for Small Intestines are comfrey root, licorice root and fennel seed. Hawthorn berries, ginseng root, borage, motherwort and peppermint are good for your Heart. Create a blend and make a sun tea to help you stay healthy and balanced through the rest of the summer!

Intuition is attributed to the Fire element in the Chinese system. Becoming “aware of your feelings (water) and a flash of light/insight (fire) will come into your awareness. This guidance from your heart can be helpful to guide you to good or protect you from danger. Our hearts know the truth. If we can learn how to listen to this information, we can answer question or solve problems. We now need to find this fine balance between the heart and the mind.” (Elson Haas) I often check in with my heart to notice how it feels when making decisions. I sit down and drop my awareness to my heart then I ask questions and notice how my heart feels. If you give yourself the time your notice the difference when something feels right.

If you’re in balance this summer you’ll be joyful and full of energy. When you’re out of balance you may feel sorrow, be too serious or over eat. Try a laughter meditation, wearing red or go sweat it out. Take care of yourself and happy summer!

“The body is a machine, you gotta keep it clean and oiled or ‘twill spoil.” ~B.B. ArgIlse