“Spring has sprung!” The flowers and trees are displaying the early arrival of this magnificent and exciting time of year, when nature reminds us of the beauty that is always around us, and within us, even when we aren’t aware of it.

Though winter weather was brief and relatively mild this year, it was still be a challenging time for many people, with shorter days and less sunlight, and a tendency to withdraw from life, burrowing into our cave until the arrival of spring. Seasonal affective disorder, known as SAD (no coincidence, right?) is common in winter months, typically beginning in the fall and abating in the spring. Experts are uncertain about the actual causes of this seasonal depression, but suspect that lack of sunlight may interrupt the sleep-wake cycle, affecting other circadian rhythms, and the production of the brain chemical serotonin, which is a powerful mood regulator.

On the other hand, winter can also be a time of restoration, reconnection and preparation for the arrival of spring. Like the flowers and trees, we require nourishment and rest, to replenish our resources, for the next season of our life. Maybe you’re ready for spring, as many people often are, or maybe you’re feeling a bit rushed with spring’s early arrival. Either way, this moment, be it in winter or spring, summer or fall, is always the perfect time to listen to what your body, mind, heart and soul is telling you. Maybe you’re feeling a bit sluggish waking up from your long winter’s nap, or trying to break the winter doldrums by adding a little “spring” into your step. There’s nothing quite like an invigorating and therapeutic massage to clear out the mental and physical cobwebs, shake off the winter blues, and help you “spring” back to life.

Anytime is a great time for a professional, therapeutic, relaxing, restorative and healing massage. Transitioning from winter into spring is perfect time for a massage, giving your body, and your mind, an opportunity to relax, renew, refresh and reconnect. Not only that, but with the arrival of spring, signaling that summer is around the corner, now is a great time to prepare your body for the active outdoor months ahead.

Massage is often misunderstood, with people thinking it is a luxury, and that it’s all about pampering. Nothing could be further from the truth. Therapeutic massage offers many benefits, from pain and stress management to anxiety reduction and improved flexibility in muscles and joints. Doctors often prescribe massage for their patients, finally recognizing the proven multiple therapeutic benefits derived from appropriate, professional massage.

As research continues on the efficacy of massage, more evidence continues to support the effectiveness of appropriate, therapeutic massage on many physical and mental health conditions. Self massage is also another tool often encouraged, as it is a wonderful addition to our self care practice to help ourselves feel better, stay healthy and enjoy life.

Schedule an appointment today with a licensed, professional massage therapist, and spring into abundant health and well being. Your body will love you for it, and your mind will enjoy the peace, calm and quiet, and the opportunity to release both excess mental chatter and clutter.

Source: www.northfulton.com; Jeanie Ward; March 5, 2012