Water: Our Best Friend

All my massages begin the same way. My client and I take deep breaths, we relax, and I slowly travel down their body as I apply my touch of intent. When I return to their back, I pull away the blanket and sheet to expose their back. Oil gets applied to my hands and with my first long stroke I can tell this person is probably not drinking enough water.

How can I tell if you're drinking enough water?

Your skin is a direct reflection of what's going on inside of your body. When your body is thirsty I can see and feel it in your skin. It's not necessarily the only reason your skin is dry and absorbing all my oil. There are medical reasons and medications that cause dryness and extreme thirst throughout your body.

How can YOU tell if you're drinking enough water?

You can determine if you're drinking enough water by observing the color of your urine. Clear and pale urine indicates there is enough water in your diet. 

 

Our bodies are made up of anywhere between 50-75% of water.

That's a pretty significant amount. We should be feeding out bodies what it's primarily made of, right? But why?

Importance of water:

• maintain the health and integrity of every cell in the body
• keep the bloodstream liquid enough to flow through blood vessels
• help eliminate the byproducts of the body’s metabolism, excess electrolytes (for example, sodium and potassium), and urea, which is a waste product formed through the processing of dietary protein
• regulate body temperature through sweating
• moisten mucous membranes such as those of the lungs and mouth
• lubricate and cushion joints
• reduce the risk of cystitis by keeping the bladder clear of bacteria
• aid digestion and prevent constipation
• moisturize the skin to maintain its texture and appearance
• carry nutrients and oxygen to cells
• serve as a shock absorber inside the eyes, spinal cord and in the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus in pregnancy.

(http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Water_a_vital_nutrient)

How much water should you be drinking?

Take your weight, divide it by 2 and that's the amount of ounces of water you should be drinking per day.

120lbs / 2= 60lbs= 60 ounces of water per day

“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”
-Margaret Atwood
 

Happy Holidays! Neck stretches

The following exercises can be used to alleviate neck, upper back, and shoulder pain that can be caused by stress. Doing these exercises regularly will strengthen your neck muscles and reduce tension.

1. Perform 3 neck rotations. Repeat in opposite direction.

2. Slightly tilt your head to one side and bring your chin close to your chest. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat on opposite side.

3. Bring your ear towards your shoulder until you feel a stretch and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat on opposite side.

4. Straighten up and bring your chin to your chest. Hold for 20 seconds. You can use your hand to press down on the back of your head for an extra stretch. Tilt your head back and hold for 20 seconds.