What Type of Massage is Right for Me?
So you’ve decided 2020 is the year of self care, balance, and a better you. Fantastic! Massage is an excellent way to make a little time for yourself throughout the busy, hectic life you lead. Maybe you have stumbled across the Pearl Day Spa from a quick Google search (in which case, welcome!), or maybe your dear friend/aunt/neighbor/grocery store clerk suggested us to you. Perhaps you’re a longtime client looking to change things up and try something new. Whatever the scenario, you’ve made it to looking for a massage here, on our website. But what are all these different kinds of massages?
“I thought a massage was just a massage!”
Well, there are actually a bunch of different styles and types of massages out there. The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, or ABMP, recognizes over 350 different massage modalities. We don’t have quite that many types of massage here at the Pearl, but knowing what works for your needs and preferences can be challenging. So let’s breakdown what we do offer, and give a little more information to help you make a decision before booking your appointment.
As a general rule, we divide massage modalities into two different categories: Relaxation or Therapeutic. If you are looking to bliss out and drift off to la la land, might I suggest a relaxing Swedish, hot stone, or craniosacral massage. However, if you have soreness, an injury, or widespread tension, I would recommend a more therapeutic modality to alleviate pain.
Now that we’ve given you a bit more information, what type of massage appeals to you? Remember, discussing issues and concerns with a massage therapist before your appointment is the best way to maximize the benefit you receive. And, as always, speak up if something is uncomfortable, painful, or bothersome!
Wishing you the most relaxed, stress-free, and healthy year to date,
Hannah
**Please note that not all massage therapists do every modality. If you would like to learn who does a specific technique at the Pearl, please reach out by calling our friendly Front Desk staff.
Introduction
Traditions are the timeless threads that weave through the fabric of our lives, connecting us to our roots and shaping our sense of identity. While many of us associate traditions with holiday rituals and celebrations, their significance extends far beyond these festive occasions.
In this blog post, we will embark on a journey through the rich history of traditions, exploring their evolution and why they continue to play a pivotal role in our lives, both during the holidays and year-round.
During these shorter days and cold, long nights, many of us are spending our evenings getting cozied up in our sweaters or blankets and possibly thinking about the upcoming holidays. While some of that might give you the warm fuzzies, thinking about the holidays can also stir feelings of stress and anxiety. Whether dinner parties, company events, or family dinners with not-often-seen family members, these opportunities can be a great time to connect and feel the holiday spirit. Annddd they can also open us up to difficult people and difficult situations that can cause us to feel overwhelmed or even lead to emotional shutdown at a time of year we might like to otherwise enjoy.
Is it me or is that time just ticking away? How’d it turn into Friday? I swear I was just shaking my fist at the Monday morning sky whispering, “Not you again!” Do you ever feel like you have just enough time in a week to do what the company wants, what the kids want, what the community wants? Then your to-do list becomes a to-doom scroll? If it’s rolling under the car, it’s probably too long. What if we could help you think about one less thing and help you make some feel-good choices this season?
Self-Care Check-In: Not Feeling So Hot?
How does your self-care look these days?
Do you have all the time you need to fit in exercise, eating well, and taking care of your mental health? Does your work day stay within its tidy bounds? Or does your to-do list affect your interactions with your family, your children, your partner? Does everything just go totally smooth and as expected every day? If you’re a busy professional (or just a living human), I’m guessing you’re balancing a lot and can probably answer NO to most or at least some of those questions
You're not alone. Life can get hectic, and it's easy to put ourselves last on the list of priorities. If you’re like me you think, “Oh yeah, I’ll schedule that massage when I get home. “ Nope! No I will not. I will get caught up making dinner, helping the kiddo with homework, answering texts from three days ago, and trying to remember to sit down. I often say, “I need an adult!” Cause let’s be real—we could all use the help of another adult from time to time. And even this adult struggles to prioritize self-care, despite being surrounded by a team of people at The Pearl believe that self-care is essential for overall well-being and happiness.
HUMAN CONNECTION IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR WELL-BEING.
Do you ever find yourself caught in between feeling both lonely and overwhelmed by social interactions? In a world where we are constantly surrounded by people, yet feel disconnected and isolated, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing our lives to others through social media—feeling left out, questioning why we aren't receiving invitations or participating in the same activities as our peers. This critical voice inside our heads fuels self-doubt, pushing us to measure our worth based on what others are doing. The more we delve into this cycle, the more overwhelmed we become, until human connection itself feels like just another burden on our never-ending to-do list. And these hard feelings can be detrimental to our health…increased cortisol (stress hormones), lack of sleep, and can negatively affect our mental health. While we may jokingly throw around the phrase “compare and despair,” there’s a lot of truth to it. Never before in human history have the highlight reels of nearly everyone we know been constantly visible to us 24 hours a day.
As a queer person who has worked in a touch-centric industry for decades at this point, I can assuredly say that my relationship with touch was not always a simple or positive one.
The challenges faced by the queer community, which often go unnoticed by a heteronormative society, deserve attention and understanding. The narratives presented in stories, movies, advertisements, religious teachings, friendships, literature, and societal norms perpetuate the notion that there is a singular correct and acceptable storyline for people's lives, dismissing any other experiences as deviations to be concealed or left unspoken. Without counterbalancing messages to combat these pervasive feelings of exclusion, many of us have grown up with an inherent sense that our very essence as individuals is fundamentally flawed.
Being a mom is fucking hard. No matter how amazing a person is, this is an inescapable truth. And when you can tell it’s hard from a distance, you know it’s exponentially harder firsthand. Stereotypes aside and progress included, there is still an undeniable societal expectation that mothers bear the brunt of the mental load when it comes to caring for the family. From planning meals to organizing schedules to managing budgets, to maintaining a career, the to-do list for moms appears never-ending. Add to that the mental labor of keeping the family together, managing everyone’s emotions, and often being expected to be the primary caregiver for children, and it’s no wonder that so many mothers feel overwhelmed and exhausted.
Spring is here, and along with the buds on trees and flowers peeking out from the earth, it's also a time to consider some health shifts for the season. Spending time outdoors, taking advantage of fresh produce, and reevaluating habits can all contribute to a refreshed mindset and physical health. Getting outside for some sunshine and fresh air, even for just a few minutes during your lunch break or a coffee date with a friend, can boost your mood and vitamin D levels. Incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet can support improved digestion, energy levels, and overall health. Spring is the perfect time to reevaluate habits and make positive changes to prepare for warmer weather and longer days ahead.