Heidi Overman, LMT and Certified Integrative Health Coach
Stress. Anxiety. Fatigue. Words that have become too frequent in our daily lives. Words that describe what we are going through yet managing. These words can feel insurmountable.
Stress can overtake your life, without you even knowing. It can start feeling like “the norm” until one day you look around and wonder, “how did I get so stressed out?” Stress can affect your weight, your sleep, your health, and your overall personality. Fatigue can set in, and you find yourself snapping for no reason or becoming irritated at the smallest things.
This is your sympathetic nervous system telling you that it is overtaxed, and it needs a break. Your sympathetic nervous system tells your body that it needs to be “ready to go.” Years of this stress and anxiety can drain your body and mind. It can cause brain fog, sleepless nights, and issues with digestion. It can even be linked to serious disease and health issues.
I struggled with anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia. I had a high stress job and a family. I was trying to balance their school, sports, my own activities, financial instability, and social and professional obligations.
My body and mind were telling me loud and clear that things needed to change. I was having terrible digestive issues and panic attacks. I thought I was having heart attacks all the time. However, everything was fine. Just fine.
Two things happened. First, someone said something to me that stuck: “Heidi, you can’t take care of anyone, unless you take care of yourself first.” Well, that was interesting. What a concept.
The second thing I did was look around at the tornado I was standing in the middle of and thought, “I am too young to be this stressed, this sick, and this tired. How did I get here and what do I need to change?”
I went and got my first massage.
I found things that I could do for myself. It took years for my sympathetic nervous system to accept the changes in my life. However, I finally get to enjoy the small things I do for myself.
Diet, exercise, meditation, and massage are tools that can help.
Self-Care is not selfish. I invested in myself, and the return on my investment is great!
Massage is one of the best ways to help your body turn off your sympathetic nervous system and turn on your parasympathetic. Your parasympathetic nervous system is your state of balance and homeostasis.
When massaged with a moderate to light pressure, massage engages with the parasympathetic nervous system and helps your body release and recover.
Your brain and body need to be able to rest and recover from what is thrown at it, day after day. A regular relaxation massage is a way to help improve sleep, digestion, heart health, and clear all the brain fog!
If you are interested in a therapeutic massage, wellness retreats, or health and wellness coaching, call 520-639-6987 for an appointment or learn more at emptycupwellness.com.