You Are Not Just A Body. You Are Your Body. Part 2

How do we find balance while managing careers, relationships, and families?  The answer is simple: take care of yourself.  The word selfish is not a bad word; it means putting one’s self first.  If you cannot take care of yourself first, you will not be able to take care of anyone else.  These are famous words of my mother, who passed in August.  For years, I have thought of those words and found them to be true in my own life.  What is an easy solution to a healthier body and more body awareness?  Self care, especially in the form of massage.   Not only does every system in the body benefit from massage, but also it is a wonderful way to promote mental well-being and manage stress.  Massage helps increase circulation, increase immune system, induces the relaxation response,  increases body awareness,  helps release toxins,  rejuvenates, oxygenates, reduces stress in the body,  it’s good for your skin,  and so much more.  It feels good and is good for you, which is a hard combination to find in self-care.

But what if massage is not in my budget or within my time constraints?  If you get a massage once a month, you will begin to experience many benefits.  Instead of going out to dinner we can choose to get a massage instead.  A meal from a restaurant digests in hours, but the benefits of a massage last a lifetime.  Remember, “You are not just a body, you are your body.”  Take care of it and enjoy life!  Loving yourself is not just saying it, but being it.  

Diane Matkowski is the owner of Freedom Massage in Paoli, PA. She is a continuing education provider for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, an organization that certifies massage therapists.Over her 13 years in this field—and tens of thousands of massage sessions—she have learned from brilliant body workers and trained with the best. Now, she endeavors to instill both her knowledge of and passion for this work in every detail of my business/bodywork.