Pouring oil on troubled water - Massage for stress management

 Getting a massage as part of a stress management plan.

Famously Sir Alex Ferguson suggested Tony Blair take a masseur on his political tour bus to manage stress. 

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22449415

 

 

When we experience stress we can develop a wide variety of physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms.  These symptoms are not a sign of disease because stress is not a disease; they are brought about by the bodys Fear-Fight-Flight Response, which is designed to give us extra energy and speed to cope with the threat.  

Fight gives rise to symptoms of anger, Fear to panic.

 Constant emotional, physical or mental stress,

excessive intake of alcohol (more than

one glass of wine per day),

and even minor amounts of sugars and refined carbohy-

drates can lead to insulin resistance, which

in turn can increase levels of cortisol.

http://www.naturalnews.com/stress.html

Stress management tips
 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/14/young-women-stress-readers-respond

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22298779

Background
http://massageadvancer.com/studies-conclusively-show-massage-therapy-reduces-stress/277

Physical Stress Symptoms   (How Our Body Reacts) Breathlessness Churning stomach Diarrhoea/Constipation Dizziness Dry mouth Excess perspiration Fatigue Headaches Hyperventilating Increased colds/flu Increased heart rate Indigestion Psychological Stress Symptoms (How We Think and Feel) Abrasive Anxious Blaming others Catastrophising Cynical Depression Depressed/Anxious thinking Excess guilt Excess worries over health Feeling a failure Feelings of fear Feeling unable to cope Frustration Hopelessness/helplessness Hostile Hypercritical of self/others Impatience Behavioural Stress Symptoms  (How We Behave) Aggression Agitation Avoidance behaviour Crying Decreased/increased sexuality Difficulty relaxing Difficulty with relationships Eating fast Eating too much/too little Gambling Hostile behaviour Impatience Increased alcohol Increased caffeine Increased smoking Work Related Stress Symptoms (How we may be affected in our work) Absenteeism/presenteeism Accidents Inability to delegate Increased sick days Inefficiency Persistent lateness Procrastination

Impotence Nausea Palpitations Pre Menstrual Syndrome Sense of heart pounding Shallow breathing Sleeping problems Tension headaches Tingling in hands/legs Tremor in hands/legs Weight loss/gain Increased worrying Indecision Irritability Jealousy Lack of concentration Loss of confidence Lower self-esteem Mind in a whirl Mood swings Negative thinking Pessimistic thinking Rumination Sensitivity to criticism Snappy Stressful thinking Tense Worrying a lot Losing temper Making mistakes Nail biting Outbursts of anger Poor eye contact Poorer personal hygiene Poor time management Restlessness Risk taking Substance abuse Talking fast Walking fast Withdrawal from relationships Withdrawal from activities Poor decision making Poor interaction with colleagues Reduced work performance Resentment/anger/irritability