WELLTRAX

Hello, May!

 

Oh hello, May! Glad you're here.

The Florida weather is getting warmer, and we're falling in love with summer all over again. Take some time this month to enjoy quiet, cool moments in the midst of heat and chaos. Life can get a bit hectic this time of year, so those moments of stillness can keep you grounded and motivated to continue pursuing your goals. WELLTRAX believes in you. Have a great month, and don't forget to check in on the blog and stop by our wellness center in downtown Winter Garden to say hello. We'd love to see you!

Why You Should Get a Massage

“I need a massage!” You’ve probably heard somebody make this declaration after a long day. It’s understandable—massages are most commonly known for their relaxing qualities. They’re great at reducing stress and treating anxiety, even fighting insomnia. A massage can work out tension built from sitting at a desk staring at a computer or days filled with difficult manual labor. It’s a great way to wind down after a big project or a particularly tense week, and people know it. But a massage is so much more than just a time to relax.

Recent studies have shown that massage is a popular supplement to alternative medicine. Combined with traditional medical treatment, it is a natural remedy to many physical ailments. These theories are still being tested, but there is substantial evidence to suggest that massage helps with digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, stress-related insomnia, sports injuries, and joint pain. It’s even used to heal and reduce scar tissue after surgery or injury.

Sports massage is another popular technique used to improve athletic performance. It is similar to a Swedish massage, but geared towards athletes, increasing range of motion and relaxing the muscles. It not only enhances exercise performance and keeps athletes in peak condition, but it speeds up the healing time of any injury that may occur.

Massage is also used to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety in cancer patients and nausea in chemotherapy patients, manage pain, improve balance in older adults, and ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. It has the mental benefits of producing feelings of comfort and connection and overall decreasing stress.

At WELLTRAX, our Licensed Massage Therapists are trained in a variety of techniques, from hot stone to sports, and are talented at customizing routines to your needs. Whether you just need to relax or are searching for an alternative medical treatment, our therapists provide quality care and attention to your individual needs. Visit our “Who We Are” page to meet the therapists, learn about their specialties, and book your massage today.

 

Resources:

Mayo Clinic

American Massage Therapy Association

Adherence and Encouragement - Why You Shouldn't Give Up on Your Wellness Goals

Did you know that over 55% of people who set New Year’s resolutions abandon them within six months? March is a popular time to give up on your goals for many reasons, but we’re here to encourage you not to give up. Adherence to your wellness program is tough. Life has a pesky habit of getting in the way of your plans, but if you keep working, you’ll be rewarded. For everyone who feels like giving up, this is a sign to keep trying. Persevere just a little bit longer. Go to the gym one more time, and one more after that. Eat healthy for one more week, and then another. Make a conscious decision to remember exactly why you started your wellness program in the first place, and let it motivate you for just a little bit longer. Often, you’ll want to give up right before change starts taking place. So persevere -- even for a little while, until you reach one more milestone.

If you keep up the good work and are faithful to your program, you’ll start to see results soon. Don’t be discouraged if you’re moving slower than you anticipated—you’re still moving in the right direction! WELLTRAX is here to help you on your journey to wellness. We believe that you shouldn’t go it alone, and that’s why we offer everything from expert personal trainers to massage therapy to private consultations. Whatever aspect of your program you’re struggling with, be encouraged—WELLTRAX can help you achieve your goals! From the moment you walk through the doors of our wellness center, our entire staff is focused on encouraging you and making you feel comfortable and confident. Remember, we believe in you, so keep working towards your goals. Remember why you started and how far you’ve come in this short time. You can do it.

On Spring Colds, Allergies, and Feeling Blue

Spring has sprung in Florida, and with the budding flowers and warm weather comes an inevitable string of colds, allergies, and exhaustion-induced breakdowns. Not fun. Nobody wants to waste their time at home with a cold or sneezing through the day, but there’s no denying it: a general feeling of yuck is all around us this season. Allergies are nearly unavoidable, but you can take steps to prevent yourself from catching the bug that’s been going around the office. Here are some tips to stay healthy in the midst of a wave of spring colds.

Hydrate. Your mom was right after all, drinking water is the very best thing you can do to prevent yourself from catching something and speed your recovery if you’re not lucky enough to avoid coming down with it. Drink lots of water, juices, and herbal teas before, during, and after you catch a cold.

Wash your hands all the time. Especially if you’re around people who could pass their germs on to you, it’s important to wash your hands more frequently than you usually do. If that’s not possible, slather on the hand sanitizer in the meantime, and wash whenever you get the opportunity. Here’s a recipe for homemade hand sanitizer made with essential oils. It’s less harsh and damaging than alcohol-filled commercial brands.

Add honey and cinnamon to green tea to fight a cough. Honey is soothing, and a healthy replacement for sugar when you’re down with a cold. Plus, green tea is hydrating, healing, and tastes great when you don’t feel well.

Rest. This is essential, yet surprisingly overlooked by many cultures. Give your body time to fight whatever you’re coming down with, take it easy, and relax. Being stressed and sleep deprived is like inviting sickness in. Keep your immune system strong by sleeping more when you’re feeling sluggish, and do everything you can to reduce stress.

Productive Hobbies to Get Your Mind Right in 2017

This is your year, never doubt that. Whether you’re ready to make a change in your wellness regime or just want to live a healthier, more balanced lifestyle now is the time to start. If you want to see change, don’t keep doing what you’ve always done. Different actions lend different results. Start small. Replace one negative habit (binge watching Netflix all the time, stress-eating junk food, not working out, etc.) with a productive new hobby. This will get your mind into a better state, and progress will flow from there. Stay positive, and the results you want will follow. Here is a list of some fun hobbies to try if you need inspiration:

1. Knitting
2. Painting
3. Woodworking
4. Writing a journal or blog
5. Photography
6. Jewelry making
7. Scrapbooking
8. Pottery
9. Cooking
10. Acting

1. Running
2. Yoga
3. Hiking
4. Swimming
5. Soccer
6. Surfing
7. Basketball
8. Dance
9. Skating
10. Weightlifting

1. Reading
2. Meditating
3. Volunteering
4. People watching
5. Amateur astronomy
6. Computer coding
7. Collecting
8. Gardening
9. Travelling
10. Camping
11. Urban exploring
12. Finding good bookstores near you
13. Finding good coffeehouses near you
14. Organize your home
15. Unplugging from technology
16. Start a business
17. Learn a language
18. Master a skill
19. Listen to music
20. Do something kind for a stranger