•  
  • (218) 368-2964
  • Contact Us | Location
Living Touch Massage
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Massage News
  • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Gift Cards
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Massage News
  • Testimonials
  • FAQs
  • Gift Cards
  • Contact Us
Massage News - Articles of Interest

Beat the Winter Blues!

2/12/2025

 
Well folks, we are in the thick of it. Minnesota’s winter is in full swing. While it may be almost spring time, us Northerners know not to be too hopeful for warm weather to come early and stay. We all get a case of the blues being in this frozen tundra, but there actually is a condition called SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, that can influence someone’s quality of life. ​
A winter walk alone
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that happens during different seasons of the year, commonly fall and winter. The science behind it says that it is caused by a chemical reaction in the brain, due to less sunlight. Without the sunlight, your body is lacking vitamin D and serotonin. According to Mayo Clinic, some common symptoms of SAD are feeling sad and/or hopeless, sleeping more than usual or having trouble waking up, feeling tired, overeating, and socially withdrawing. If you are feeling these symptoms, talk to your doctor. 

Massage has been proven to help reduce symptoms of seasonal depression, and there are other benefits as well. Massage can counteract those physiological mood factors that come with SAD. It reduces anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as the hormones that cause anxiety. It decreases your heart rate and blood pressure. It also has been proven to lower cortisol, and releases serotonin. Massage also improves sleep and strengthens your body-mind connection. All of these factors are key to ease SAD symptoms. 

A few other ways to ease symptoms of SAD:
  • Exposure to light
With the lack of sunlight being a major cause for SAD, trying to get as much exposure to light is a vital mend to restore yourself. Whether it is natural light or a light therapy lamp, subjection to light is restoring your being. 
  • Getting regular exercise
Besides the other benefits of getting regular exercise, it also helps reduce symptoms of SAD. The most effective types are aerobic, strength, and gentle yoga and stretching. Getting your heart rate up and building strength and focusing on breathing and flexibility are key. 
  • Eat well-balanced meals
Eating a well balanced diet is good for overall health, as well. Eating fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and grains are healthy choices. Processed foods and sugars are ok in moderation, but focusing on the main food groups are important. 
  • Stay away from drugs and alcohol
Alcohol and drugs can make the symptoms of your depression worse. Most alcohols and drugs are depressors, and can heighten the feelings of depression and anxiety. Self-medicating can be a temporary fix, but it can lead to addiction and overall damage your body and self. 
  • Be patient and focus on the positives
It may be easier said than done, but focusing on the positives and being patient can influence your symptoms a lot. Give yourself some time, and focus on the good that is happening. Believe it or not, your attitude can change the outlook of your circumstances. Depression is real, no doubt about it. But there is a lot to be grateful for and appreciate. 
Massage relieving SAD
It is important to remember that you are not the problem, and it is not your fault. Seasonal depression is a real problem that a lot of others face. You are not alone. Fear not, the end of winter is near!

At Living Touch Massage, we have your back and we want to help you. Allow us to help you destress, unwind, and restore your body and mind. 

Contact us today to get your massage!

​
Beat The Blues!

Making Time for Rest

10/11/2023

 
If you are a working person in 2023, you know that productivity is king in many facets of life. Your boss expects increases in productivity, and often we project high productivity within our personal lives when it comes to maintaining our social life, homes, families, etc. With all of the demands of everyday life, a person can begin to feel overwhelmed, and burnout can occure. The solution to this is very simple, but for many, it doesn’t seem possible. That solution is rest.


While the question of productivity vs rest came to light during the madness of 2020, it has been something bubbling up for a couple decades now. It’s almost become a question of “does taking time to rest make you a lazy person?” Our answer is no. You are a living breathing entity. Our bodies are not made to be worked to the bone day in and day out. It’s essential for not only our physical health, but our mental health, to be able to sit back and rest. Rest your body. Rest your mind. You are not a robot.
Picture
Why has rest become seen as a sign of weakness or laziness?

We live in a productivity obsessed culture. Taking breaks can make one feel lazy or immoral because that is valuable time that we could be dedicating to output. In fact, most people directly link their output or productivity to their worth as a person. 
If you think about a day where you have nailed a presentation, closed a big deal, or made a really good proposal, you feel like you’re on top of the world. You have that sense that you’re a person of value, and worthy of your keep. On the other hand, days when you feel sluggish, your output may not be as high, and you can start to wonder why your boss keeps you around or that you’re just not good at whatever it is you do. So you end up pushing through those days to reinforce that you are valuable. This can become a toxic cycle if gone unchecked, and can lead to a decline, not of quantity, but the quality of your work. 

Your brain is a muscle

If you’ve ever been to the gym, you know that between each workout, and even between each set within a workout, you need to plan time to rest that targeted muscle group. Biologically, it is essential to get the results you want. If you don’t take these breaks, your muscles deplete and you can’t eek out another rep. Your brain is no different. When you mentally extend yourself, your brain begins to slow down, and doesn’t make connections as easily as when it is “working fresh”. At this point, your work or your relationships begin to suffer. Just because you're producing, doesn’t mean you’re fully present, and it doesn’t mean what you’re producing is at a standard that is worthwhile. 

Rest is essential to your brain so it can function properly. 

It’s time to reframe the need for rest. It is not taking away productivity. It is enhancing your productivity! Whether your version of rest is a nap, a walk, taking a bath, reading a book or our personal favorite, Getting a massage;  they are all in service to improved health, creativity and productivity. After all, even God took a day to rest!

​
Book a Massage

Bend Like a Barbie?

3/16/2021

 
We’re always told to lift with our legs and not our back. Lifting with our legs helps lessen the strain on our back. However, lifting isn’t the only time we can work on minimizing the strain on our back. In our day-to-day lives, we need to be more aware of our body positioning. Just like Barbie, if we keep our backs straight and work on bending at the pelvis, we can improve our back pain.
Picture

Read More

Boo’s Off to School… Just Like His Boss.

9/12/2018

 
Picture
​It is important be healthy and take care of your body. Two things most people think of when discussing a healthy lifestyle is their diet and fitness routine. These things are both important parts of living a healthy life, but how does massage fit in?

If you plan on getting a massage pre-workout, it is suggested that you go for a light massage. A light massage helps warm up the muscles and makes them more flexible. However, if you plan on working out after a deep tissue massage, you might want to think again. This can lead to increased soreness, and it can inhibit the effectiveness of the tissue work done during your massage.

There are five major benefits to post-workout massages:

Read More

    Subscribe to our mailing list

    * indicates required

    Categories

    All
    Anxiety
    Balance
    Body Function
    Body Health
    Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    Comfort
    Comfortable Massage
    Consistency
    Depression
    Discomfort
    Ergonomics
    Ergonomic Tips
    Family
    Fitness
    Fitness Goals
    Fitness Journey
    Flexibility
    Health
    July
    Marriage
    Massage
    Massage Benefits
    Massage Certification
    Massage For Stress
    Massage In Bemidji
    Massage Myths
    Massage Therapist
    Massage Therapy
    Metabolism
    Mobilitgh
    Movement
    Muscle
    Muscles
    Pain
    Pain Relief
    Personalized Plan
    Physical Activity
    Posture
    Pregnancy Massage
    Professional Massage
    Reduce Anxiety
    Relax
    Resolutions
    Rest
    SAD
    Seasonal Depression
    Self Care
    Self-Care
    Spring
    Strength
    Stress
    Stretch
    Summer 2023
    Sustainable Exercise
    Swimmer
    Texting
    Theraputic
    Traveling
    Wellness

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    August 2020
    April 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018

Picture
​For bodywork with real results, call today to schedule an appointment.
(218) 368-2964
Contact Us
Follow Us
Recent Testimonials     ​
"After a car accident a few years ago I have had problems with my shoulder. Rita helped me with the pain when doctors couldn't."
- Jo A.
"I have suffered from chronic headaches and several back injuries for years. Regular massage has helped me to increase my flexibility and reduce muscular tension."
- Sheila P.

About Us
We are a family-owned and operated company, serving the Bemidji area since 2004. Rita Scholl Bergstrom has over 25 years' experience as a massage and bodywork practitioner.             ​
Remembering Paul
Picture

2025 Copyright © Living Touch Massage​. All Rights Reserved.

Site powered by Superior Effect Marketing