Monday, December 7, 2009

Treat Yourself - Why Massages Are Good For Your Health

Billions of dollars are spent each year by people who want to make themselves feel better. Whether this money is spent on beauty, fashion, or gym memberships this money goes towards making our ever stressed out population feel just a little bit better mental or physically. Well now studies show that getting a massage has some great health benefits that will make you want to indulge! In fact, research shows that getting messages can ease insomnia, boost immunity, prevent PMS, and more.

With regular massages you can effectively say goodbye to pain. This may seem like somewhat of a no brainer but rubdowns can be especially effective for back pain. Some researchers have even found that getting a massage actually works better than other treatments such as chiropractic therapy and acupuncture. This happens because get massaged boosts the feel good hormone serotonin and dopamine which blocks your nervous system's pain receptors.

If you struggle for insomnia you can say hello to dreams with massages as well. Studies have found that getting massages increase delta waves which are linked with deep sleep. No wonder you find yourself drifting whenever you are on the table!

It has also been found that getting massaged actually helps prevent you from getting sick. It boosts your natural fighting cells, which is the immune system's first line of defense against invading germs and bacteria. Researchers have known that cortisol destroys fighting cells and since they also found that getting massaged decreases cortisol levels it automatically gives your immune system a boost. In fact, massage has even been found to boost immunity in those people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients.

Decreased levels of cortisol and more serotonin and dopamine also mean less stress, anxiety, and depression in general. This increased sense of relaxation is one reason why some hospitals offer massage to anxious patients awaiting surgery and cancer patients going through chemo.

Finally, it is no big surprise that if you are an active person, massage can cause less cramps and pain due to the improved blood circulation that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells. So when you start to feel guilty about treating yourself to a massage just remind yourself about all of these awesome health benefits you get from them!

For more health holiday tips, go here!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bjorn_Fjordnord

For expertly trained massage therapists go to: http://www.applewoodspa.com

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Cosmetics - Why Strive to Look Our Best - Why Skin Care and Makeup Are So Important

Women put a great deal of importance on cosmetics, mascara and lipstick to make themselves attractive. They feel good about themselves when they are all dolled-up with cosmetics. Just hearing someone say, "you look nice today", can make their day. Yes, cosmetics, mascara and lipstick have become basic necessities for well dressed women. In fact, most women do not feel that they are good looking without makeup. They feel they will be adversely judged if they do not look pretty. Is there some truth to this? Does society put such emphasis on appearance?

Even though looks shouldn't matter, the question arises-do good looking people get treated with favoritism? Do they tend to have greater advantages in life? For example, would a stranger be more inclined to come to the aid of a woman who is very attractive? Might she receive better service at the auto shop? Simply because she is good looking?

An experiment was conducted in New York city. Two women were given folders filled with papers. They were told to drop them on a busy sidewalk and observe what would happen. Would anyone help them? When the attractive woman dropped her folder, suddenly people immediately came to help. Then she observed the other "average looking" woman drop her folder. She was saddened when nobody came to her friend's assistance.

Why this differential treatment? Is this strictly a cultural phenomenon? Do we learn this from observing and imitating others? Well, studies show that babies will look more intently and longer at prettier faces. If infants could not possibly be influenced to be biased at this tender age, then we must somehow be hard-wired, rather than conditioned, to respond more favorably to more attractive people.

What can we do about it?

If it truly is an intrinsic quality of humans to show a more favorable disposition to more attractive people, then there is very little we can do about it. All the rebellion in the world won't change human nature. If someone pays us a compliment by telling us how nice we look, would we chastise them? Would we question why they show partiality? No, rather, we would be grateful for this compliment and view it as a human kindness.

How to accept this ugly truth?

It will be easier for us to accept this human tendency if we admit that we ourselves at times are partial to this kind of admiration. Depending on if it is to our advantage or not. Favorable when it is to our advantage; not-favorable when we are at the short end of the stick. We must be realistic and remember that a person's physical attractiveness, just like their personality, impacts every individual literally from birth to death. As unfair as at that may be, it's reality. We can never change that. The best thing that we can do is change our attitude, learn from others and use it to our advantage.

How to use it to our advantage?

Movie stars are usually renowned for their good looks. To them, their appearance is a top priority. This is because their livelihood depends on it. In fact, some are noted to say, "It is better to look good, than to feel good!" Although, we may view this as an inordinate emphasis on vanity, in reality, it may not be. Think about it! Would they have achieved stardom in show-business due to their excellent health? Of course not! Image is everything in their world. They just know how to project their image to the best of their advantage. We must learn to do the same.

What can we learn from movie stars?

If movie stars put their best foot forwards, wouldn't we gain limited success by applying their thinking? Consider this-just because a movie star is naturally good looking, doesn't cause her to not wear makeup. No, she will actually put emphasis on it. Consulting makeup artists to achieve her best natural look. Accentuating the positive, and making negative features less noticeable. Their livelihood and reputation depends on their taking every advantage to look their very best, on camera and off.

How to capitalize on your looks?

Movie stars are privileged to employ the efforts of various makeup artists to achieve their best look. This gives a fresh perspective on what may look better. However, most women who are not in show business, have only done their own makeup application. As a habit, they may be using unfavorable colors and application methods. If you feel like you need a new perspective, why not consult a makeup artist? Their fresh approach and greater experience, might be just what you need to accentuate your best facial features. It is common for women to consult their hair-dressers for a new look-why not do the same with a makeup artist?

How natural cosmetics can help?

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to just accentuate positive facial features and not have to cover up imperfections. Well, the truth is many skin problems are actually a result of makeup! Most makeup products contain chemicals that irritate the skin and cause blemishes, discoloration, redness and dryness. Instead of covering up facial flaws with synthetic blends of makeup, why not try to correct these flaws by the use of natural cosmetics? You will be surprised how much better your skin will look and feel. Also you will not need to wear as much foundation and makeup! This will save you time, money, and you will be able to concentrate on accentuating positives!

Yes, looks do matter! We do live in a society that puts a great deal of emphasis on appearance. Without cosmetics, society views women as not fully dressed. We can't change that. But we can take advantage of this. By wearing cosmetics in a way that accentuates our appearance, cosmetics can actually open doors that may otherwise be closed.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Xavier_Roget

Why you should go to a Day Spa

In current times, women have taken a larger role in the workplace, and due to this are experiencing more stress. Almost every single woman has likely experienced stress, and it is definitely not the best of feelings. Woman looks for ways to let off this stress, but often do not succeed. There is one option that woman often overlook due to a number of factors, some including cost, or even time. What option? One of the many local spas. Woman need to take a day off of work, or even just a few hours and visit a spa. Why? The Spa will allow you to relieve all the stress that has built over time, either from children, work, marriage, and so on.

Now, Local spas are generally not expensive at all. Women have this misconception that local spas are expensive, due to the fact that they are a luxury. Actually, local spas are not expensive at all, and for close to $80.00, one can experience a full day spa. What does a full day spa include? A full day spa includes a number of activities, including exercise, body treatments, food, and more. So, is it worth it? Think about it -- $80.00, or maybe even less, and in return, your stress will be gone. Most would agree that this is a fantastic deal.

What should you do at the spa? There is one thing that is a must - get your mind completely off of the rest of the world. Do not think about work or anything else that is causing you to be stressed. The spa is a place for you rejuvenate yourself, and constantly thinking your stressors is going to do nothing to help you. On that note - do not go to the spa in the middle of a stressful project. Chances are, you will not be able to get your mind off of it. Try to find a time when you are relatively free from work, and then go to the spa. This way, you will likely have an easier time completely freeing your mind from the project or pile of work.

There are some steps you should take prior to visiting the spa. Do not sleep late the night before. Sleeping late will ultimately cause you to tire out faster during the day, and being exhausted during a spa treatment is useless. Be sure to have lots of liquids in you, so you do not dehydrate. You want your body to be as comfortable and healthy as possible. Satisfy your hunger reasonably before you go, so you are not sitting in the spa thinking about food constantly.

The spa is an experience no female, or male, should miss out. If you're feeling stressed, and it seems like there is no way out, you have found your solution - a local spa. Look in the Internet or yellow pages for a Spa near you.
Or go to http://www.applewoodspa.com and call for an appointment for free consultation to 954-349-8638

Why you should go to a Day Spa

In current times, women have taken a larger role in the workplace, and due to this are experiencing more stress. Almost every single woman has likely experienced stress, and it is definitely not the best of feelings. Woman looks for ways to let off this stress, but often do not succeed. There is one option that woman often overlook due to a number of factors, some including cost, or even time. What option? One of the many local spas. Woman need to take a day off of work, or even just a few hours and visit a spa. Why? The Spa will allow you to relieve all the stress that has built over time, either from children, work, marriage, and so on.

Now, Local spas are generally not expensive at all. Women have this misconception that local spas are expensive, due to the fact that they are a luxury. Actually, local spas are not expensive at all, and for close to $80.00, one can experience a full day spa. What does a full day spa include? A full day spa includes a number of activities, including exercise, body treatments, food, and more. So, is it worth it? Think about it -- $80.00, or maybe even less, and in return, your stress will be gone. Most would agree that this is a fantastic deal.

What should you do at the spa? There is one thing that is a must - get your mind completely off of the rest of the world. Do not think about work or anything else that is causing you to be stressed. The spa is a place for you rejuvenate yourself, and constantly thinking your stressors is going to do nothing to help you. On that note - do not go to the spa in the middle of a stressful project. Chances are, you will not be able to get your mind off of it. Try to find a time when you are relatively free from work, and then go to the spa. This way, you will likely have an easier time completely freeing your mind from the project or pile of work.

There are some steps you should take prior to visiting the spa. Do not sleep late the night before. Sleeping late will ultimately cause you to tire out faster during the day, and being exhausted during a spa treatment is useless. Be sure to have lots of liquids in you, so you do not dehydrate. You want your body to be as comfortable and healthy as possible. Satisfy your hunger reasonably before you go, so you are not sitting in the spa thinking about food constantly.

The spa is an experience no female should miss out. If you're feeling stressed, and it seems like there is no way out, you have found your solution - a local spa. Look in the Yellow Pages to find some spas in your city.