Stress is a natural reaction of the body to situations that could potentially cause us harm. Our stress reaction has evolved to protect us from dangerous or threatening situations. However, the trials of daily life can sometimes trigger our bodies’s natural stress response. Under stress, we may experience physical symptoms including headaches, decreased appetite, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and panic attacks and or anxiety and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases. For these reasons it is essential to manage stress and taking time out to relax (with a cup of tea, perhaps??) is one way to do that. Massage therapy has proven helpful in relieving stress as well. Additionally, massage therapy can be effective in alleviating the symptoms of other conditions such as arthritis, lower back pain, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, circulatory problems, and recovery from a sports injury.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_(psychological)
http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/massage-therapy-stress-relief-much-more
Photos: http://maine.nature-talk.com/
SOAKOLOGY 