The holidays can cause a lot of hustle and bustle in our lives. You’re planning time with family, attending holiday parties, going shopping, scheduling trips– all on top of your regular to-do’s. While it can be fun and exciting, it can also add a lot of stress if you’re not careful.
In fact, 80% of us find that the holidays can be stressful, according to a poll on verywellmind.com. This stress, regardless of the specific cause or time of the year, can have quite a negative effect on our health. From weight gain to gum disease, high-stress levels have a plethora of consequences. They include:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hair loss
- Sexual dysfunction
- Ulcers
- Obesity
- Tooth and gum disease
Stress also has an impact on our mental health. Some of the emotional tolls from stress include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger issues
- Fatigue
Although stress is inevitable, it is manageable. At Chante Massage, we work with our clients to relieve stress through Massage Therapy and Traditional Chinese Massage. Specifically, we recommend trying Shirodhara.
What is Shirodhara?
Shirodhara is a unique therapy that balances and stabilizes the mind. While lying on your back, a steady stream of warm herbal oil is poured in the center of your forehead on the sixth chakra, or third eye.
This point is located on the forehead at the back of the pituitary gland where nerves are highly concentrated. The gentle pressure of the oil creates a vibration, while the oil saturates the forehead and scalp, penetrating the nervous system.
This initiates a cleansing process that puts you in a deep state of rest.
How Does Shirodhara Benefit Your Health?
- First and foremost, it counteracts stress. This steady pour of oil promotes relaxation, induces calmness and facilitates tranquility. Dr. Herbert Benson, a cardiologist and founder of Harvard’s Mind/Body Medical Institute, states that Shirodhara initiates the relaxation response.
“Dr. Benson described the relaxation response as the body’s way of turning on the parasympathetic nervous system, that part of the nervous system which conserves energy, slows heart rate, and relaxes muscles.” – The Chopra Center
- Shirodhara can also reduce your anxiety. The activation between the eyebrows is said to relieve agitation and anxiety. The Shirodhara stimulates this point dispelling powerful energy and reducing your anxiety.
- In addition, Shirodhara treatment can improve your quality of sleep. It has been studied that Shirodhara reduces brain waves to a more relaxed alpha state. This relaxed state of mind contributes to better, deeper sleep.