Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit
Cupping – Giant, round bruises seen on Michael Phelps’ back and shoulders has drawn a lot of people’s attention during this year’s Olympics. You may also recall a similar reaction when actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Anniston, wearing backless dresses while walking the runway revealed the same bruising a number of years ago. All the attention has increased awareness of cupping as a means to ‘release tension; and ‘relax the muscles.’ Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been around for thousands of years, as practiced in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. TCM practices may consist of a variety of techniques such as acupuncture, herbs, cupping, tui na, qi gong, and moxibustion.
Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit
Tis the Season of the Common Cold … Truth is, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) you can get a cold any time of the year. With over 200 viruses linked to the common cold, the Rhinovirus is the most common. Adults average 2-4 colds a year; children more. Most colds last 7-10 days. People with weakened immune systems, asthma, or respiratory conditions may develop serious illness, such as pneumonia.
Symptoms of a Cold Include –
sore throat,
runny nose,
coughing,
sneezing,
watery eyes,
headaches
body aches.
The Good News– there are steps you can take for prevention.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (more effective on viruses than soap and water.) Teach children to wash their hands.
Scrub hands for 20 seconds (about the time it takes to hum or sing Happy Birthday twice.)
Wash your hands before you eat or drink.Including after reading restaurant menus.
The Rhinovirus that often causes colds enters through the mouth, nose and eyes. The average person touches their face 16 times an hour! Avoid touching your face, especially with unwashed hands.
Maintain a Healthy Immune system
Socialize More. Study showed that people who are extraverted produced fewer pro-inflammatory chemicals in response to cold viruses.
Regular Exercise. Research shows that regular exercise is not only good for our bones, but also helps build a healthier immune system.
Get Plenty of Sleep. Sleep deprivation suppressions the immune system.
Listen to Sounds of Nature and Music That Brings You Joy. According to research, listening to sounds of nature and music that you enjoy helps you to relax, may lower cortisol (hormone released when stress that contributes to fatigue and inflammation) and boost the level of antibody immunoglobulin A, helpfully supporting the body’s immune system.
Walk, bike or take a drive along Route 127 and Gloucester’s BackShore and enjoy the relaxing sound of ocean waves.
Add More UpBeat and Joyful Music to Your Life! Cape Ann and North Shore have great local musicians with performances almost every night. Check out schedules at Gimme Sound, North Shore Tonight, and Joanne Silva’s live music scene.Play upbeat music in your car as you commute. Stream music throughout your home with wireless sound controlled by one simple app. Check out the Oprah’s ‘favorite things’ for 2015 – the Sonos Play 5.
Cape Ann Wellness 