Monalisa Wellness Center and Spa

Exercise is one of the best stress relievers out there. But, not everyone will take the time or have the motivation to commit to a strict workout schedule.

Could you squeeze in a 10 minute walk either first thing in the morning, during a lunch break, or when we get home from work? A short walk clears our heads and boost endorphins, which in turn reduces stress hormones.

A massage will help stimulate your body’s soft tissue. This will help your body release toxins by stimulating your lymphatic system. This is why it is important to drink a lot of water following your massage to ensure the toxins can be released.

Meditation involves focusing your attention to help you feel more relaxed. Practicing meditation may help you react in a calmer way to your emotions and thoughts, including those that cause stress.

When you feel stress, your body responds by releasing hormones that increase your blood pressure and raise your heart rate. This is called the stress response. Relaxation techniques like massage therapy can help your body relax and lower your blood pressure and heart rate.

We often think we can feel the tension literally being worked out of our muscles, and that’s pretty close to what’s happening when we get a massage.
The pressure from the therapist’s hand movements comes into play again, improving your circulation by moving blood more efficiently and releasing cell waste—like worn-out proteins—faster than your body does naturally.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.

Are you in tune with your body? Mentally scan your body to get a sense of how stress affects it each day. Lie on your back, or sit with your feet on the floor. Start at your toes and work your way up to your scalp, noticing how your body feels.

Your social network is one of your best tools for handling stress. Talk to others -- preferably face to face, or at least on the phone. Share what's going on. You can get a fresh perspective while keeping your connection strong.

Massage: good for every “body”

Using essential oils or burning a scented candle may help reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety. Lavender is one of our favorites.

Just what you needed.

Take a tropical vacation without leaving the desk chair. Use a five-minute break to peel, slice, and bite into a juicy mango, which packs a compound called linalool that helps lower stress levels.