Stressed out? Try massage or yoga

To relieve holiday stress, many are turning to massage or yoga to relieve the tension of the season.

Clare Kagan of NorthPointe Spa in Roscoe, said her clients often share their worries about potential job losses, the costs of holiday gifts and their struggles to care for sick relatives.

Instead of spending money on holiday trips, Kagan said many of them are turning to full body treatments as a way to relieve stress.

“It’s a nice present to yourself and a nice gift to give someone else,” Kagan said.

Massage can be very effective in reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress in muscles.

“It can even relieve tension headaches,” Kagan said. “It’s really important for people who work on computers.”

There are many treatments to choose from, but one of the most beijing massage offered is the NorthPointe signature massage. The 75-minute massage relieves chronic neck and shoulder tension, where stress tends to accumulate. It includes warm sedona red mud application to the upper back, neck and shoulders and concludes with a warm scrub of the feet for softening. Peppermint cream is finally applied to stimulate the feet, with the goal of improving whole body health.

Other massages at NorthPointe include deep tissue, therapeutic, aromatherapy, hot stone, reflexology, lava shell, chair and expectant mother massages.

New massages offered at NorthPointe feature a Thai massage, or a full body treatment that starts at the feet and progresses to the head. The benefits of Thai massage include stress and pain relief, resistance to injury, improved range of motion, toning of internal organs, increased energy and deep relaxation.

There is also Ashiatsu, a full body massage with deep gliding strokes. Ashiatsu increases circulation, and has a longer lasting effect than that of therapeutic massage. During the massage, the muscles are elongated to improve posture. With Ashiatsu no bruising or soreness is experienced after treatment.

The cranial sacral therapy is a 30 minute treatment which can help people suffering from migraines, back pain, stress, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, spinal cord injuries and more.

In addition to massages for stress relief, the spa offers manicures, pedicures, facials and body treatments including rubs with a salt glow mixture, moor mud wrap and seaweed infusion.

For those who want to help reduce stress at home, Kagan advises drinking enough water and looking into an exercise such as yoga.

“There’s cardiovascular benefits, but it’s not stressful on the joints as other exercise,” Kagan said.

Nicola May, a yoga instructor at NorthPointe, said yoga is effective because it brings attention to focused breathing.

“It kind of calms the mind, and brings your attention to the present moment so you are not thinking about the rest of the day, such as what you have to get done or other anxieties,” May said. “The focus and concentration is just on yourself.”

Another benefit of yoga is that most anyone can do some of the postures and positions. Because there are so many different variations, it’s adaptable to all age groups. Yoga is also effective in preventing injuries because it stretches the muscles.

“As you get older, the bones and tendons get a little weaker. Stretching continues to prevent injuries, and increases strength and flexibility,” May said.

May advises combining yoga with other exercise.

“I recommend a bit of everything. To keep our hearts and circulatory system functioning properly, some cardiovascular exercise is recommended as well,” May said. “We don’t give ourselves enough time. Take an hour for yourself and relax. We don’t do that often enough.”