National consumer research released today said 81% of American adults feel as stressed (45%) or more stressed (36%) now than they did a year ago and are using a variety of strategies to cope. The research sponsored by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP).
“When many people are curtailing spending on vacations and other big-ticket items, massage is an ideal and lower-cost option for reducing stress,” said ABMP. “Massage therapy has been shown to reduce stress hormones, relieve anxiety and depression, strengthen the immune system and improve attentiveness, so it’s an excellent strategy for challenging times.”
The nation’s leading mental health association, Mental Health America, recommends massage therapy as a way to diffuse stress. Some employers are turning to massage therapy to help employees cope with uncertain times and increased workloads.
As employers are looking for ways to manage workplace productivity and stress, perhaps using fewer employees to do more work, some are bringing chair massage into the mix, it’s an inexpensive way to maintain loyalty, and manage anxiety and lost work time.
Another research finding was that visits to all types of health professionals, including medical doctors, declined slightly in 2010 as compared to 2008.
This is not surprising in a year of belt-tightening throughout the economy. It may be a matter of postponing rather than forgoing care. Consumers should keep in mind massage could be useful in helping stave off routine doctor visits, co-pays and missed work time because of the immunity-boosting power of massage.
0 comments:
Post a Comment