Body Mechanics Massage Therapy

06/01/2026

Find a Room with a View
Next time you're overwhelmed, turn off the computer screen and look out the window instead. One study revealed that students sitting at window seats recovered faster from performing a series of stressful tasks than classmates who faced a blank wall or even a high-definition plasma screen displaying a nature scene. The more time they spent gazing at the view, the faster their heart rates dropped back to normal. Hmmm . . . that's a good excuse to ask your boss for an office with a window or to now set up that home office facing a window.

05/30/2026

Too time-crunched to meditate? Think about this: the average Facebook user spends more than 15 minutes a day perusing status updates. Instead you could devote 5 of those minutes to meditating daily to really change your mental state.

05/28/2026

Child's Pose

It may look like you’re resting, but child’s pose is an active stretch that helps elongate the back. It’s also a great de-stressor before bed at the end of a long, exhausting day.

Try it: Start on all fours with your arms stretched out straight in front of you, then sit back so your glutes (butt muscles) come to rest just above — but not touching — your heels. Hold the position for 5 to10 breaths, and repeat as many times as needed for a good, soothing stretch.

05/27/2026

05/24/2026

Bolster Your Memory: Coffee

Java lovers, remember this: There’s growing evidence that the benefits of coffee extend well beyond a short-lived improvement in attention and focus. New research suggests that regular coffee drinkers may be at lower risk for cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia as they age. Scientists believe the synergistic effects of caffeine and antioxidants found in coffee beans may be responsible for the beverage’s brain benefits.

Just make sure you don’t load up your coffee with sugar or cream — use fat-free, 1 percent, or soy milk and no more than two teaspoons of sugar in your morning mugful. While most people can enjoy a few cups of coffee a day without any issues at all, those with insomnia and gastrointestinal issues should go easy or avoid coffee. If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor about how much caffeine is safe for you to consume. Also, as always, this is not water so remember to drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated.

05/22/2026

Incorporating a form of mind-body exercise into our lives helps us develop a greater connection with our emotional and spiritual bodies. During physical activity it is easy to concentrate only on the sensations in our body. By integrating another layer into our exercise regimen, however, we become more aware of the connection between our minds and our bodies. A practice such as yoga or tai-chi allows us to learn what binds us and find a way to loosen it. We begin to notice the emotions we have as we move a certain way and realize that our bodies hold a key toward truly finding joy in our lives. Deepen your connection with your body and mind today, and you will receive greater fulfillment from your physical routine.

05/19/2026

Only Human

You may find yourself overwhelmed by physical and mental tension today whenever you are in the presence of people who intimidate you. Speaking frankly with people in positions of authority or those whose accomplishments trump your own can be an uncomfortable and awkward experience. However, you can work past the stress you feel today easily by reminding yourself that the people before you are human beings like yourself, doing their best to cope with life's rigors. When you must interact with those who overawe you, retaining your sense of purpose and your ability to focus on the message you wish to convey can be as simple as cultivating a strong awareness of your worth.

We can interact more comfortably with a wide range of individuals by reminding ourselves that the distribution of human authority has little to do with the innate value of all human beings. This understanding enables us to consciously choose whether we will allow ourselves to be intimidated by those in possession of power, wealth, or good standing. We know in our hearts that we are worthy of respect and consideration, which means that we are unwilling to let the relatively unimportant differences that divide us from our brothers and sisters in humanity influence how we behave around others. As a result, we need never be afraid to voice our thoughts and feelings before those in positions of power. The tension you initially feel when confronting authority figures today will gradually fade away as you remember that they, too, are simply human beings like yourself.

05/17/2026

5 All-Natural Oils & Butters That Beat Coconut Oil
By Alex Tran

Moisturization and rejuvenation are key to every skincare regimen, but it doesn’t have to involve a complicated routine with creams and lotions, tinctures and potions… there’s a simpler way to nourish & rejuvenate your skin, fight the signs of aging and get the youthful glow you’re going for. And while many consider coconut oil to be the richest moisturizing oil out there, the Amazon rainforest offers some incredible superfruits with far greater moisturizing properties, plus additional benefits.

The people of the Amazon have been using oils and butters found in rainforest superfruits to protect and moisturize their skin and hair (among other uses) for centuries. Those of us in North America are just starting to learn about the skin rejuvenating and hydrating benefits of these wonderful and all-natural oils and butters.

You can use them alone, or they can be easily mixed with your favorite essential oils to create a unique moisturizer that’s all your own. You don’t need a complicated mixture of ingredients and you definitely don’t need sulfates or parabens.

Best of all, each of these magical ingredients is gentle enough for sensitive skin and can be used all over the body as well as the face Their anti-inflammatory properties are not only great for sensitive skin, but also for blemish-prone skin and some of them even have additional properties to treat minor rashes or injuries and even chronic conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Because of their high fatty acid content, they also absorb extremely quickly to the skin, providing deep moisture without clogging pores.

Coconut oil doesn’t offer near as many perks!

• Babassu oil

Although it’s very similar in texture to coconut oil, babassu oil is more deeply moisturizing and lightweight. It also increases your skin’s ability to retain moisture, so that once the oil is applied, it keeps your skin hydrated for longer. However, babassu oil melts on contact with your skin, then dries quickly so that it doesn’t leave behind a greasy, oily residue or clog pores. As it dries it also creates an invisible barrier on the skin to protect it from pollutants and prevent breakouts.

• Andiroba oil

This golden oil comes from the seeds of the andiroba tree, which is native to South America. The oil is a rich emollient, and has been used as an effective treatment for dry, cracked skin. Andiroba oil is also anti-inflammatory and can reduce aches and pains when massaged into the skin. It’s a known fact that the Brazilian football team uses the oil after matches to aid in muscle recovery. Insects don’t like the oil, giving it the added benefit as an insect repellant that’s completely natural.

• Buriti oil

As the richest natural source of beta carotene (even more than carrots), buriti oil has incredible anti-oxidative power that, combined with its excellent emollient properties, helps protect the skin from photodamage and free radicals while deeply moisturizing. It’s high vitamin A and E content provides more rejuvenation than even one of the most popular oils: argan. When used on your skin, buriti oil helps to re-hydrate and restore the skin’s elasticity. It also has great anti-inflammatory properties to help treat redness, rashes, irritation and sensitive skin.

• Brazil Nut oil

Another powerful moisturizing oil, Brazil nut oil is rich with nutrients such as Vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, which make it excellent for treating dryness and flakiness and even help treat conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Brazil nut oil is also packed with antioxidants and is essentially the richest natural source for selenium, a powerful nutrient that helps fight inflammation.

• Cupuaçu butter

Studies have found that cupuaçu is one of nature’s strongest moisturizers, even more moisturizing than shea butter or lanolin. Its water retention capacity is 240 percent of its own weight, meaning that it will not only provide rich moisturization, but it will also keep your skin moisturized for a long time; up to eight hours after application! Cupuaçu also seals in the moisture to increase the skin’s overall hydration. This helps it to improve the skin’s elasticity, treat blemishes and minor injuries, and improve the youthful appearance of your skin.

So, skip a complicated moisturizing routine and put aside the coconut oil and go straight to the source for rich hydration and nourishment of the skin: Amazonian superfruits.

05/15/2026

Loving-Kindness Meditation

You might feel disconnected from your social circle today, which may be due to your quarantine during this time. Your feelings of isolation might be due to a realization that much of your healing journey happens when you are alone and have time for deep contemplation. Since spending time in solitude can be healthy today, you may want to use your time alone to reflect upon your relationships and how you can feel better about them. Doing a loving-kindness meditation is one way you can connect to others while you are in your own healing space. As you sit in quiet reflection, imagine a bright light full of love and peace surrounding you, growing larger with each breath, and then picture this energy slowly moving out to envelop your family and friends, holding them in this space of love. You might find that by doing this meditation you feel a deeper connection to those in your life, which can relieve your sense of seclusion.

Loving-kindness meditation is a powerful tool that helps us connect with others in a way that is nonthreatening and safe. Feeling as if we are left out of our social circle is a natural part of being human and can often leave us wanting to be alone. Visualizing our interconnectedness, however, binds us to those in our lives in a nurturing way. By transforming your feelings into ones of love and peace today, you will create a connection to people in a way that is positive and healing.