Symmetry Massage

How Symmetry Collective Came To Be

Kina — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 00:18:00 GMT

Wow. What a journey it has been. Recently, we wrote about the 15-year anniversary of Symmetry Massage, and the challenges and triumphs of building our business from the ground up. This month, we will be opening the Symmetry Collective coworking and wellness space at our Wheat Ridge, CO location. This is the result of years of hard work, and realizing the need for a space and community that uplifts and empowers wellness and healing practitioners. This is a space where people can work, learn, grow, laugh, (and even nap) together.

Symmetry's 15 Year Anniversary

Kina — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 05:05:00 GMT

We are happy to announce that Symmetry is turning 15 this March! Looking back, it’s hard to believe where all the time went. Over the years, we have seen it all, from the highest highs, to almost losing our business at least once.

Why Caring For Others is a Two-Way Street

Kina — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 01:42:00 GMT

We all know Valentine’s Day is all about treating other people – it’s important to show our partners, family, and friends how much we care for them.

Sticking to Your Wellness Goals in the New Year

Kina — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:13:00 GMT

The latest article on the Symmetry blog discusses the hottest topic of the season: sticking to your wellness goals and resolutions in the New Year. It’s an exciting time of year, and it can also be tough. Starting in 2023, many of us will be motivated to better ourselves, even if we are still recharging our batteries from the busyness of the holiday season. The pressure to commit to-self care and wellness will come from many sources. Friends and family. Advertisements from the wellness industry. Our smart devices, apps, and trackers will roll out challenges and deals for more services. But we often forget where this motivation ought to come from – ourselves. First off, think deeply about your “why.” Sure, most folks want to be pain-free and have more energy throughout the day. But what are you going to do with your newfound wellness? Do you want to play with your kids, or climb the stairs without pain? Finding your “why” helps you to get excited, and envision a different life for yourself. Then, it’s time to think about consistency. You can retrain your body out of many ailments, like low energy, stress, or lack of mobility using habit. 6 weeks of therapy and self-care cause the nervous system and tissue to respond, which can begin to undo decades of sitting at a desk. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is one of the best books for understanding why habits are at the core of everything we do. He talks about the importance of willpower, and how it comes in a limited supply, diminished throughout the day. It is essential to plan ahead for moments of adversity when your willpower may be weakened. You can recruit a wellness “buddy” to keep you accountable, or keep a workout bag packed and ready to go, so you don’t see getting ready as an additional task. One of the hardest things for our clients to do is prioritize themselves. By following these steps, you can put yourself first, and eventually give yourself more energy to invest in your family, friendships, career, and much more.

Boulder Open House 2021

Zander Behnke — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:29:00 GMT

Sneak away from the family to join us for brunch and sample some of our Bliss Services on Small Business Saturday! We will be offering complimentary 15-minute sessions of: - Ashiatsu - Thai Massage - Cranial Sacral - Reflexology - 360 Sport - Infrared Sauna Raffle and door prizes from Onus IV, Mecha Fitness, Suntown Sparkling CBD, Island Arts & Apothecary, and our signature line of products.

5 Summer Road Trip Destinations You Won't Want To Miss

Brandy — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 22:40:00 GMT

With summer in full swing and pandemic restrictions easing in many areas, a lot of us have started making travel plans for the next few months. We might even be feeling like we need to make up for lost time and be a little extra adventurous after the past year! One thing’s for sure, though: travel is starting to get easier (yay!). If you’re itching to get away, now could be a perfect time to pack your bags and get on the road to some exciting new destinations. Why Take a Road Trip? Road trips are a fantastic way to see some new places that you’d skip right over on an airplane. It’s sort of like when you’re in the city and you decide to walk one day instead of driving your car to the nearby convenience store -- you notice a lot more of your surroundings when you’re moving at a slower pace. As an added plus, road trips can also be less expensive than air travel. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that travel in general has numerous health benefits. Being in new places increases mindfulness by making you pay more attention to the present moment. Vacations have also been shown to lower stress and improve cardiovascular health, and getting a chance to relax can spark increased creativity as well as boosting your mood. But road trips in particular give your mind a unique kind of stimulation. Driving to new places exercises your hippocampus, a brain region that’s responsible for spatial awareness and memory. Getting away from the city and into nature can give you access to some much-needed fresh air and sunshine. Being on the road also forces you to unplug from technology and focus on what you’re doing. If you already love road travel, I may be preaching to the choir here -- but if you’ve never tried it or aren’t sure about it just yet, you might want to try it out to see just how beneficial and health-affirming of an experience it can be. 5 Road Trip Destinations To Add to Your Bucket List Ready to hit the road? Awesome -- now you’ll just need to figure out where to go. Here are some great destinations you can easily get to from the Denver area. 1. Palisade, Colorado Palisade is a charming Western-slope town with vineyards, a quaint little downtown area, and a famous peach festival that happens every August. My partner and I had a marvelous time in Palisade camping at our campground and doing a tasting at a local winery -- and the peaches are always to die for. Heading out west through the mountains is a nice drive in and of itself, and it only takes about four hours to get there from Denver. It’s just far enough out to feel like you’re getting away, yet not too far away from home. If you love hot springs, you could also make a stop in Glenwood Springs on your way to or from Palisade. 2. Ouray, Colorado There’s a reason why Ouray is known as the “Switzerland of Colorado”: it’s a lovely little mountain town surrounded by rugged peaks that’ll have you feeling like you’re right in the middle of the Alps. The downtown is fun to explore, and the town stays cool even in the dead of summer thanks to its high altitude. The drive from Silverton (also known as the Million Dollar Highway) is stunning and not to be missed. I suggest heading down to Durango first, then driving up Silverton Pass to Ouray. The road is narrow in parts and not for the faint of heart, but the views are spectacular. Once you’ve reached Ouray, you can spend a few days hiking, enjoying the local hot springs, and sampling local restaurants. 3. Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe is easily one of my favorite towns to visit. The gorgeous adobe architecture and vibrant colors will capture your heart, and the majestic desert landscape will lift your spirits. It’s easy to get to, just six hours south of Denver, and with all its delicious cuisine, it’s also an excellent town for foodies. Make sure to visit the art galleries on Canyon Road. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is worth seeing, as is her Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu -- it’s about an hour’s drive northwest from Santa Fe, but the scenery there and in the surrounding area is breathtaking. If you have time on your way to or from town, make a stop at Ojo Caliente to soak in their healing mineral pools. 4. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Yellowstone is one of the most beautiful national parks. It’s about a 9-hour drive through Wyoming to get there, but with all the park has to offer, it’s well worth a visit. As you drive through, you’ll be treated to vistas of prismatic hot springs (not the kind you can soak in, unfortunately), geysers, and unique rock formations. Just don’t be surprised if you can encounter some crowds -- Yellowstone is extremely popular. 5. Bozeman, Montana If you want a town for foodies and nature enthusiasts alike, Bozeman could be your place. There is plenty of hiking in and around town (including mountain climbs and scenic walks by waterfalls), but there are also oh-so-many restaurants with excellent food and drink. The main street is charming and walkable with cute cafes, boutiques, and the like. Bozeman is a little further from Denver -- about a 10-hour drive -- but it’s very doable if you have at least a few days to spare for your trip. Be sure to check out the weekly Farmer’s Market in Lindley Park and grab some local produce. Or, if you happen to visit during apple season, you can go pick apples for an afternoon at the Gallatin Valley Organic Farm. Wrapping Up Getting away for a vacation now and then is one of the best things you can do for your health and happiness -- and if you’re up for the adventure, a road trip can be uniquely rejuvenating and inspiring. No matter where you go, you’re sure to create stories and memories that will last a lifetime.

8 Unique Father’s Day Ideas for Active Dads

Brandy — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 19:18:00 GMT

With Father’s Day just around the corner, you might be starting to think about how you’ll celebrate this year. If your dad is an active guy, he might love classic activities like fishing, golfing, camping, and hiking -- and these are all great ideas if you don’t mind braving some holiday-weekend crowds. But if you’re looking for something a little different (or you don’t want to deal with throngs of people), there are plenty of less conventional activities out there. Here are eight fun and unique ideas that will help your dad get his exercise on Father’s Day. 1. Go old-school with some croquet. Lawn games like croquet might seem old-fashioned, but they’re a great way to get the whole family moving and spend some time outside. In fact, croquet has numerous health benefits for the body and mind -- so if you don’t already have a croquet set, it could be worth investing in one this summer. Most people play in their yards, but if your yard is small, you can also head to a neighborhood park. Just make sure to choose an area that’s not too crowded since you’ll need some open space to play. You can just play a quick game or two, or you can start a family tournament and award a prize to the winner. It’s completely up to you! 2. Play a game of mini golf. Tons of families go golfing for Father’s Day. Mini golf is another, often-overlooked option that can be just as fun, especially if your dad likes to practice his short game. Kids and grown-ups can enjoy playing together, and walking from hole to hole will give you some exercise. If you live here in Denver, Hyland Hills Adventure Golf offers some of the best putt-putt golf in town. They have three 18-hole courses, each with its own theme, so there’s plenty of variety. And if you get tired of mini golfing, you can also speed around on the go-kart track or try out the ropes course. 3. Try your hand at axe-throwing. Axe-throwing is a new craze that’s becoming popular all over the country. It might not seem like a physical activity, but according to Men’s Health, hurling axes can strengthen your core, shoulders, and lats. Your dad might also get a kick out of channeling his inner Viking. While it may not be appropriate for young kids, families with older kids can have a blast with this unique activity. Don’t worry -- trained instructors will supervise and make sure everyone stays safe. 4. Go for a round of paintball. Paintball can be intense (and sometimes a little painful), but the game is exciting and a lot of fun to play. It’s also an excellent full-body workout that helps build strength and endurance, and let’s be honest: pummeling the other team with paint pellets is a great stress reliever. Similar to axe-throwing, this option is probably not suitable for little ones -- some facilities might not even allow kids under 18 -- but paintball could be the perfect Father’s Day activity for a family with teenage or adult kids. 5. Ride your bikes out to brunch. When you head out for Father’s Day brunch, why not go on two wheels instead of four? If it’s a nice day outside and your chosen brunch spot is a reasonable distance from your house, riding bikes to the restaurant will let you spend time outdoors and get some activity in before indulging in a tasty meal. Just keep the mimosas in moderation so you’ll be safe to ride home. 6. Rent kayaks. For a fun day on the lake or reservoir, you could rent some kayaks and spend a few hours out on the water. Kayak rentals are usually inexpensive, and each person can row their own boat (although there may be tandem kayaks for people who want to row together). If kayaking doesn’t sound appealing, there could be options to rent canoes, stand-up paddleboards, or even jet skis (for the thrillseeking dads out there). And of course, you can always take breaks to sunbathe on the beach. 7. Go geocaching. If you’ve never tried geocaching, you could give it a go this Father’s Day. It’s a real-world game where you use your phone’s GPS to find treasures (called “caches”) that other people have hidden. You can play anytime, anywhere -- there are caches hidden all over the world, tucked under rocks and into crevices where you’d least expect them. You and your family can scour your area for caches, or you can drive to nearby neighborhoods to look for more there. Either way, you’ll spend plenty of time walking outside as you look for these treasures -- some of them are well-hidden and tricky to find! 8. Explore a new town on foot. A lot of families travel for Father’s Day weekend -- but what about taking a day trip to a small town that you’ve never visited before? For those in the Denver area, mountain towns like Salida and Crested Butte are popular spots, but they can get crowded on summer weekends. If you’re up for an adventure, you could stop in Georgetown (off of I-70) and walk around the historic downtown area. Or, head down south to Canon City, a rapidly-growing area with a charming main street and a handful of good restaurants to eat -- it’s also a short drive away from the stunning Royal Gorge Bridge. There are as many ways to celebrate Father’s Day as there are dads in the world. But whatever you decide to do, taking the time to plan a unique activity and make your dad’s day special is a perfect way to show him your love.

10 Surprising Health Benefits of Gardening

Brandy — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 19:09:00 GMT

May is one of the most beautiful months here in Colorado -- trees and shrubs are in full bloom, birds are singing, and it becomes hard to resist the urge to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. For many of us -- myself included -- this month also marks the beginning of gardening season. Now that we're well into spring and past our last frost, a lot of us are out there getting our hands dirty and planting our summer gardens. Aside from being fun, challenging, and uniquely rewarding, keeping a garden can also be hugely beneficial to our health. Whether you’re a plant junkie or you’re new to the hobby, here are 10 health-boosting effects of gardening that might surprise you. 1. You’ll get great exercise. Gardening may not always seem like hard work, but it’s surprisingly good exercise. Activities like digging, pulling weeds, or pruning -- not to mention lugging around big bags of soil -- make a great moderate-intensity workout. You might burn as many as 330 calories from spending an hour doing light work outside! And you don’t just get aerobic exercise from gardening -- it also builds strength in every major muscle group and sharpens coordination. So if you love being outdoors, working in your garden is a fantastic way to stay active during the summer months. 2. Gardening can improve mood and stress. Spending time in the garden has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It increases serotonin and dopamine, lowers cortisol, and helps us feel more connected with other living beings. Gardening is a powerful form of therapy for mental conditions as well as addiction recovery. Being in nature gives us a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and step away from our computer and phone screens. When we work with the soil, we breathe in a beneficial bacteria called mycobacterium vaccae that may boost serotonin levels and put us in a happier mood. 3. It boosts heart health and lowers blood pressure. Because gardening is a physical activity, it strengthens your heart, lowers your blood pressure, and improves your cardiovascular health. In fact, in one study, adults over 60 who did gardening and other DIY activities at home had up to a 30% lower risk of heart attack and stroke compared with their less-active peers. While you can also get these cardiovascular benefits from other forms of exercise, spending time in your garden might be more fun than hitting the gym, especially when the weather’s nice -- and you can still get the activity your body needs. 4. You’ll save money by growing your own fruits, veggies and herbs. Some people get into gardening because they want to grow their own food and be more self-sustaining. Growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables in your own backyard is not only satisfying; it also helps feed you and your family. Starting plants from seed -- or picking up a few baby plants at your local nursery -- gives you more food for a lower price than you’d ever find at a grocery store. For the foodies and herb lovers among us, it’s worth investing in some herbs as well. Many herbs are perennial, coming back year after year, and the ones that aren’t are still less expensive to grow than buy at a store. 5. Home-grown food has more flavor and fewer chemicals than store-bought alternatives. Another benefit of gardening? Home-grown food is packed with flavor and nutrients. The produce at your local grocery store has usually traveled a long way to get to you, so it’s not nearly as fresh or vibrant as the stuff from your garden. Plus, mass-farmed produce often contains pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals you may not want in your food. When you have your own garden, you get the ultimate say in how your food is grown, and if you want to go completely organic, you absolutely can. 6. You can get extra Vitamin D from being outside. Anytime you’re outside in the sun, you absorb Vitamin D through your skin. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and a strong immune system. According to research, getting a moderate amount of sunlight may lower your risk of serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, MS, and certain cancers. Of course, sun exposure also increases the risk of skin cancer -- so it’s always essential to use sun protection (such as sunscreen and a hat) when you’re spending time outdoors. 7. Gardening is satisfying and can improve self-esteem. Growing and tending your plants can be incredibly fulfilling. It’s fascinating and beautiful to watch them grow, blossom, and bear fruit -- and it’s satisfying to know that you raised and took care of them the whole way. Your plants are living things that depend on you for their survival, so gardening can be a wonderful outlet for someone with a strong caretaking or nurturing instinct. Gardening can also heighten creativity, sharpen our cognitive skills, and draw us into the present moment like few other things can. You’ll be awestruck sometimes by the beauty of what you see. Working with your plants can be meditative and profound, and the garden contains many lessons about the cycle of life. Each day brings something different and you never know what you’re going to see. But one thing’s for certain: having a garden can be a rich experience that adds meaning and purpose to your life. 8. It offers a way to connect with others. Connecting with other gardeners can be one of the best parts of gardening. You never stop learning as a gardener, and if there’s something you want to know, just ask around -- most people are more than willing to share their tips and tricks (or commiserate about the damage from the most recent hailstorm). Gardening can also be a fun social activity. If you have a garden at home, you could tend to your plants along with your partner or kids. Or, you might garden alongside your friends or neighbors at a community garden plot. Either way, it’s a lovely way to spend time with others. 9. You could lower your risk of dementia. Would you believe that gardening can even benefit your brain health? All physical activity can improve cognitive functioning, but some research suggests that gardening can stimulate nerve growth in your brain, particularly in nerves related to memory -- which means it could help prevent dementia later in life. 10. You may live longer. Regular gardening may help with longevity. Gardening is also a common activity in the so-called “blue zones” of the world (areas where people frequently live to be 100 or older). Given all of the physical, mental, and emotional benefits I’ve mentioned, maybe that fact isn’t so surprising -- but gardeners tend to be healthier, less stressed, and longer-lived than non-gardeners. Gardening may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and there are many other wonderful hobbies out there. But if you’ve never tried gardening and you’re curious about it, why not try it and experience some of the benefits for yourself? You may not stay with it forever -- but you could also discover a new skill and passion that will last a lifetime.

Flowing Gracefully Through Life’s Changes

Brandy — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 02:38:00 GMT

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." -- Jon Kabat-Zinn Change is all around us. As we move into the spring season, the sun is starting to warm the earth, green shoots are emerging from the ground, and animals are waking up from their winter slumbers. The world around us changes through the seasons, and we ourselves shift through different phases of our life journey. Like the earth, we go through periods of growth, productivity, flowering and thriving -- and then there are times where we need to rest, recharge, and conserve our energies so that we can create something new. But change isn’t always easy to accept. Even the most positive changes can come with grief, uncertainty, and fear because we’re being called to let go of our old, familiar ways of being. Becoming more resilient to change is a lifelong journey, and it’s far from easy -- but it’s a skill that can greatly enhance our happiness and peace of mind. Change and the Cycle of Life Life is full of change -- and for some of us, it’s a near-constant. Our day-to-day lives shift as we change jobs, move to new cities, build new relationships, and develop new interests. We all evolve on a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual level over the course of our lives. Everything in life moves through a cycle of life, death, and rebirth. When we change, we go through a death-and-rebirth process -- an end to an old way of being and the beginning of a new one. That’s why change can be so scary: it literally triggers our survival instinct because it asks us to “die” and be reborn. But change is a principle of life. And remember that every “death” we go through creates the opportunity for something new to take its place. Going Through Transitions Sometimes, we go through dramatic changes that can leave a permanent imprint on us. At some point in our lives, most of us will go through major transitions like starting a new job, getting married, moving to a new home, or having kids. And a lot of these transitions are wonderful changes -- dreams we’ve had for years that are finally being fulfilled. Even so, we might be surprised to discover ourselves having a lot of mixed feelings about these changes. Therapist and blogger Sheryl Paul writes that it’s completely normal to feel emotions like sadness, confusion, anger, and fear while going through significant transitions in life. Let’s say you’re about to marry the person of your dreams. On the one hand, you’re absolutely over-the-moon about the upcoming wedding and your life together. But at the same time, you could also be feeling some grief over the chapter of your life that’s coming to an end, or uncertainty about what the future will bring. As Sheryl points out, going through a transition like marriage means losing a part of your identity. Your single identity is one you’ve (probably) had for most of your life, and while you’ll still be your own person once you’re married, your life will be forever changed. In order to flow through life’s transitions, we need to let ourselves feel our emotions, grieve the change, and sit in the uncertainty of not knowing for certain what the future will be like. It can be uncomfortable and even painful at times, but moving through these feelings makes us stronger and more resilient. How to Flow Gracefully Through Change How can we become more accepting of change? Here are a few words of advice that have helped me through tough times, adapted from Sheryl’s teachings. 1. Instead of resisting change, see it as an opportunity. We are dynamic beings living in an ever-shifting world. There is a lot that happens around us that is beyond our control. As mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn says, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” We can’t control all of life’s changes any more than we can control the shifting tides of the ocean. But we can learn to ride the ups and downs so they don’t throw us off-course. With time and practice, we can learn to weather life’s storms and stay afloat even through the most turbulent of times. Every change presents a chance for us to learn, grow, and become more adaptable. Looking at transitions this way can reframe them as positive opportunities rather than scary events we can’t control. 2. Learn to let go of the old. According to Sheryl, the first stage of moving through a transition is letting go of the old. This step can be painful; we usually feel some attachment to the life we’ve known, even if we know it’s time to end that chapter and move onto a new one. However, you won’t fully embrace the change until you’ve come to terms with that loss. Give yourself as much time as you need to process the transition so that you can let go and move forward into a new phase of your life. 3. Tend to your emotions. Sheryl cautions against focusing too much on the externals of whatever change you’re going through. If you’re moving houses, it’s easy to get caught up in the logistics and the long list of things that need to be done. Still, even if you’re busy, it’s important to make time to process your feelings about the move. As much as possible, give yourself space to feel all of your emotions. Know that fear, excitement, grief, joy, anger and worry (among many others) are all valid feelings to have as you’re going through this time. If you need to grieve the change, let yourself do it. Acknowledge the hopes and fears you have about the future. Owning and naming these feelings can be a powerful way to cope with transition. 4. Make self-care a priority. We are always advocates of self-care, but it’s especially crucial to take good care of yourself during times of transition. In addition to nurturing your emotional self, remember to give your body, mind, and soul a little extra TLC to support and comfort you as you move through changes in your life. Last month we talked about how to establish a self-care routine -- that article is a great place to start if you don’t have a self-care practice already and would like to begin one. And of course, if you need some healing touch and relaxation, you can always come visit us for a fabulous, nourishing massage. 5. Learn to tolerate uncertainty about the future. Aside from letting go, one of the hardest parts about change is not knowing what the future holds. That uncertainty can be uncomfortable. But the more we can learn how to sit with that discomfort, the more at peace we’ll feel. Life is inherently uncertain, and none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. But if you can be present with that uncertainty and adopt an attitude of curiosity about the future, you might find yourself worrying less about what will happen. 6. Embrace the blessings of a new beginning. Once you’ve let go of the old, moved through your feelings and accepted the uncertainty of the future, you may feel ready to accept and embrace the change. Every change represents a new beginning and a fresh start -- and that’s something worth celebrating. Thoughts in Closing Changes and transitions happen to all of us, and sometimes we might struggle or feel off-balance as we’re working our way through them. There’s an art to embracing the constant flux of life, and it’s a challenging one to master. But if we can learn to accept and flow with change as it happens, we can find a greater sense of grace and ease in our daily lives.

Creating a Self-Care Routine That Lasts

Brandy — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 18:44:00 GMT

If you come to see us for massages, you probably already know how good it can feel to take care of yourself. You’ve likely seen for yourself what an incredible difference it can make for your happiness and well-being. According to Verywell Mind, self-care helps us proactively manage stress, bolster our physical and emotional health, and enable us to take better care of others. All of these benefits sound great on paper, but many of us still don’t practice self-care as much as we might like to. Maybe we struggle to find time amid the busyness and responsibilities of everyday life. Or perhaps we just haven’t created strong enough habits around taking care of ourselves yet -- we either haven’t discovered what feels nourishing for ourselves, or we haven’t woven these activities into the fabric of our lives. If you would like to create space for more self-care in your life, it can be immensely helpful to develop a regular self-care routine. Although it takes a little time to establish a new routine, once you do, taking care of yourself will feel second-nature. And even if life feels hectic and full, there are small steps you can take towards building new habits and changing your life for the better. Why Create a Self-Care Routine? A lot of us practice self-care sporadically -- a yoga class here, a massage there, a trip to the gym whenever we can find the time. And, just to be clear, we fully support all of these things! These health-boosting activities can brighten our days and lift our spirits, for sure. That being said, if you want to improve your wellness in the long run, you’ll need to weave healthy activities into your life on a regular basis. Long-term health gains come from consistent effort over time -- and creating the right habits can greatly support you in that endeavor. It takes time for your body and mind to adapt to changes in your routine. If you go to the gym one day and spend two hours working out, you’ve made an awesome start, but it’ll take numerous workouts to boost your overall fitness level. If you keep on working out regularly, your muscles will grow stronger and your heart and lungs will become more efficient, but those changes don’t happen overnight. Likewise, if you get a massage once in a blue moon when your body is hurting, you might walk out the door feeling much better than when you came in. But if you make a habit of getting regular massages, you’ll keep your muscles healthier and more supple, which can reduce chronic pain and head off everyday soreness before it begins. When you practice self-care now and then, it can still positively impact your life -- but when you make a habit of taking good care of yourself, the benefits exponentially increase. You’ll get a lot more mileage from your time and efforts if you create healthy habits and stick with them. How to Build a Self-Care Routine You’ll Stick To So, let’s say you’ve decided that you want to make self-care a higher priority in your life. How do you go about forming healthy new habits and creating a self-care routine that will last? Here are a few expert tips. Know your “why”. The first and most essential ingredient in a new habit is a strong “why”. Why do you want to make this change in your life? How will your life change or improve when you adopt this new habit? Take some time to think about these questions. Write down your answers, if you like, and keep them somewhere where you can re-read them as many times as you need to. Understanding why your habit matters to you, is what’s going to keep you going strong even when doing the work feels hard. If you truly want to change your life and you know why you’re doing it, you’ll keep working for it even when your motivation dips down or when outside circumstances (like your weekly schedule) don’t conspire in your favor. Create a specific habit to support one of your goals. Now that you have your “why”, it’s time to decide what you want to do. What goals do you have for your health and wellness? Do you want to be able to run a marathon by this time next year? Would you like to take your chronic pain from a 5/10 (moderate) to a 2/10 (mild) so that it doesn’t affect your daily life as much? Be specific about what you hope to achieve. Being healthy and well can look very different for each person. Many people say that they want to feel better overall, but what does feeling better mean for you? Do you want to have more energy? More mental clarity? Less stress? Clarify what you would like to feel and what changes you want to see in your life. Once you have a goal in mind, create a specific and actionable habit that will help you make progress towards your goal. Big goals can be broken down into smaller sub-goals and steps that can be done on a weekly (or daily) basis. For example, if your goal is to run that marathon, your habit might be running three times a week and gradually upping the duration of each workout. Or, if you’re looking to lower your stress, you might try daily meditation or breathing exercises. The possibilities are endless -- almost anything can be made into a habit! What matters most is choosing activities that you want to do, are able to do regularly, and will support your wellness goals. Make a plan for your new habit. Set yourself up for success by creating a concrete plan for how you’ll implement your new habit. Decide ahead of time how often and when you’ll do it. Think about how you can integrate your habit into your existing schedule and pencil specific times into your calendar. If you’re aiming for daily meditation, you might schedule 5-10 minutes each evening before you go to bed. Even if you only have time for 1-2 minutes each day, make sure you choose an amount of time that you can consistently stick with. Next, think about possible challenges that could arise. Life is full of unexpected happenings -- what might happen that could keep you from sticking with your new habit? Think about what hurdles you may face and how you’ll overcome them. For example, if your goal is to cut all added sugar out of your diet, think about situations where you’ll be tempted to slip up and plan how you’ll handle these. What will you do if you’re at a family birthday party and they serve a big, scrumptious cake? If you’re a stress eater, how will you stay away from sugary sweets when you’re having a rough day? The more you can anticipate and prepare for the things that could sidetrack your progress, the better equipped you’ll be to stay on track with your new habit. Start with small changes. When making a change to your life, always start with small, manageable steps that you can easily accomplish. Dr. BJ Fogg has a TEDx talk about creating “tiny habits” to move towards larger goals. For example, if you want to start flossing daily, you could start by flossing only one tooth each day after you brush your teeth. Small changes like these are easy to manage, and the more often you accomplish them, the more confident you start to feel. Once you’ve got some momentum going, you can work your way towards flossing two teeth, then five, then ten -- until eventually, you’re doing all of them every day. Be consistent. Consistency is key for forming new habits. Actions only turn into habits through repetition and practice. That’s why it’s so important to choose a habit that is manageable and fits easily into your schedule -- you want something that’s easy to keep doing even when your motivation falters and you don’t have a lot of free time. We all slip up from time to time -- and if it happens to you, don’t beat yourself up! Just get right back on track with your habit. Skipping a day here and there isn’t going to hurt you -- just don’t skip two days in a row so that you keep your momentum going. Be flexible and forgiving with yourself, but don’t forget about what you set out to achieve and why. Make it easy on yourself. You’ve already made a plan for how and when you’ll do your habit, and you’ve thought about how you’ll overcome challenges. What else can you do to make the change last? Once you’ve started doing your habit, make it as easy as possible for yourself to stick with it. Get into a rhythm and a flow by scheduling your habit in advance -- before long, you won’t even have to think about it because it’ll be a regular part of your life. To give one more example: if you’d like to make a habit of getting regular massages with us (we’d love that!), consider pre-booking your next appointment at the end of each session. That way, your next massage is already in the calendar and you don’t even have to think about scheduling it. And while we’re on the subject, we also have a membership option that offers discounted massage rates and other perks (like free sessions in our infrared sauna!). We aim to make it as easy as possible for you to come in and pamper yourself regularly -- visit our website to learn more. Reward yourself for your accomplishments. It’s worth celebrating the times when you stick with doing what you set out to do. You can give yourself a pat on the back, a few kind words, or any other simple thing that reminds you of what you’ve accomplished. Rewarding yourself doesn’t just feel great; it also helps reinforce your habit. So treat yourself a little -- you deserve it! Wrapping Up Making changes in your life can be a challenge -- but by taking simple actions that move you towards your goals, practicing them consistently, and celebrating your successes, you can accomplish just about anything. We believe in you! And we’re always here to support you and your wellness in any way we can.

Creative Ways to Stay Connected with Loved Ones

Brandy — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 02:27:00 GMT

Feeling connected to others is vital for our well-being. According to Mental Health America, studies have shown that people who maintain strong social relationships are happier, healthier, and longer-lived than less-connected folks. Many of us want and need to feel close to the people in our lives. Even with all that’s going on in the world right now, there are still plenty of creative ways to stay connected with the people you care about most -- whether they live near or far. While getting together for social gatherings may feel more complicated these days, there are more ways than ever to stay in contact with others. Here are some of our favorite suggestions. Seek out safe touch. As massage therapists, we know that touch is hugely beneficial and necessary. Touch is nurturing, healing, and has all kinds of proven health-boosting benefits. We also know that it helps us bond with other people, especially ones we love. If you share a home with other people, hopefully you’ve been able to enjoy some extra quality time with them lately. When you live with your spouse or partner, you get the extra perks of being able to show affection for each other. That extra contact won’t just give both of you the warm fuzzies; it can also strengthen your special connection. While we’re on the subject of touch: did you know that we offer a Thai massage workshop that you can take from home? It’s a short online course that will teach you and a partner how to do a basic massage routine on each other. Giving and receiving bodywork can be a fun and relaxing way to stay connected. And, of course, if you’re in need of a massage, we at Symmetry are also open for business. Feel free to give us a call or visit our website to book an appointment -- we are taking precautions to keep you and our staff safe during this time. Host creative virtual gatherings. Nothing beats meeting up with the people you love in person. But it’s just as possible to stay connected via virtual meetups. Hundreds of millions of people now use Zoom to say hello to loved ones around the country and world -- and all from the comfort of their own homes! You could set up a standing weekly video chat with someone you normally hang out with regularly. Or, if you want to mix up the routine, you could have a virtual lunch date where you both order out from the same restaurant and share a meal together on camera -- I once tried this with a friend and it was surprisingly fun. For a virtual date, try asking these connection-deepening questions from Psychology Today -- they’ll give you plenty to talk about and help the two of you learn more about one another. If you’re looking to get a group of people together, you could host a virtual game night with online or mobile-based games that everyone can play at once. Here are a few game ideas to get you started: Play a classic game like Pictionary or Charades that doesn’t rely on everyone being in the same room. Just make sure everyone’s got their cameras turned on and their sound turned up! You can do a simple lip reading game where you take turns muting your microphones and guessing what each other is saying. Try Fibbage, Drawful, or any of the other fun online games at Jackbox.TV. These games do require a subscription account, but only one person needs an account to be able to host games. Others can join from their phones, and everyone can play together in real time over Zoom. Challenge your brains with a few rounds of trivia! Crowdpurr lets you create trivia games using sets of pre-written questions (or you can write your own), and it’s free to set up an account. Organize a virtual scavenger hunt with your group. No need to do any preparation or hide any items for this hunt -- everyone who’s playing will search for common household items and see who finds the most. You can also play word games like 20 Questions or Ghost -- the possibilities are endless! But even if your group isn’t much for games, there are tons of other fun and unconventional ways to connect. How about going on a virtual tour of a museum or park together? Google Arts & Culture has options from around the world -- you can tour museums such as The Met or the Palace of Versailles, or see bucket-list-worthy destinations such as Macchu Picchu. Or, if you love puzzles, Puzzle Break organizes virtual escape rooms. You can purchase tickets on their site for groups of six or fewer people, or set up a custom event for a larger group. Your choice! Send emails or texts to friends and family. Emails and texts can be simple, easy ways to connect with people we love. You can keep it short, with quick notes to let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them, or exchange longer letters back and forth so you stay caught up on each others’ lives. A short message to let someone know you’re thinking of them can make their day. But some people like to start longer message chains and share photos, books they’ve read, movies they’ve watched, recipes they’ve tried, or music they’ve listened to recently. Take advantage of any shared interests that you have and compare notes about fun new things you’ve discovered. Virtually watch live events, movies, or TV together. If you know of an event coming up that will be livestreamed, consider grabbing tickets for yourself and a couple of friends -- you can watch together while you’re all on video chat and recreate the feeling of being there with each other. Some of these events are low-cost or even free. Or, have yourselves a watch party for a TV show or movie that you’ve all been wanting to see. My mom and I used to go to see the Colorado Ballet perform The Nutcracker around Christmastime every year. This past year, going in person was not an option, so we watched a livestream performance by the St. Louis Ballet. My partner and stepdad came, too, and we all sipped wine and chatted between scenes. Despite a few minor technological hiccups, it was a wonderful afternoon and we all enjoyed ourselves a lot. Work out together via an app. There are some great fitness apps these days that let you do virtual workouts with friends and family. If you’ve got a treadmill, stationary bike, or bike trainer at home, the Zwift app will let you run or bike alongside people you know using their “Ride With” feature. You can create and host your own meetup and invite whoever you’d like to join you. Peloton’s app offers similar options, and you don’t need a Peloton bike in order to sign up for their digital membership or access their classes. Other social fitness apps such as FitBit, Nike Run Club, and Strava could be worth trying, too. Staying in touch with our loved ones has some added challenges right now -- no doubt about it. But with the right mindset, you can find all kinds of fun new ways to spend time with friends and family and maintain the relationships that matter to you most. Please take care of yourselves and continue to stay safe -- and, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re always here for you.

3 Tips for Reinvesting in Your Health in 2021

Brandy — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 05:27:00 GMT

2020 was a tough year on a lot of fronts. I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to a fresh start in 2021. In the past year, there have been massive shifts on the personal, cultural, and societal levels. For many of us, daily life probably looks a lot different than it did around this time last year -- some of us have had changes in our work status, while others have had to contend with having kids at home 24/7. All of us have been faced with the challenge of adapting to a new way of life that we've never known before. These are major changes. With all of this going on, we may have had to put our personal goals on the backburner for a while. Or, at the very least, we might have encountered some challenges with maintaining our lifestyle, especially when it comes to health habits. If you've struggled with things like staying active, eating well, or sticking to your usual wellness routine, I can guarantee you you're not the only one. I've been way more sedentary this year than I've been in a long time. I've gained weight. My diet's gotten worse. Some of the ways I've stayed active in the past -- like going for morning swims at my local rec center -- haven't been an option for me in recent months. And I'm willing to bet that other folks have had similar experiences. If this sounds like you, take heart: it's a new year, and it's never too late to get back on track with our goals. At Symmetry, we firmly believe that our health is our greatest wealth -- and it's always worth investing in that part of ourselves. We know that a strong, healthy body supports a clear, calm mind and enables us to go after our biggest hopes and dreams in life. If a healthier lifestyle is on your radar for 2021, here are some pointers to guide you in the right direction. 1) Be kind to yourself. First and foremost: please don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t make the progress you hoped to make in 2020 towards any of your life goals -- whether they were health-related or otherwise. This year played out in a way that none of us could have anticipated or fully prepared for. No matter what the past year was like for you, be kind to yourself. We all did the best we could with what we had, and in a year like 2020, that was more than enough. 2) It's never too late to begin anew. The beauty of life is that, as long as we’re here, it’s never too late to make changes. Whatever’s happened in the past, we can move forward and start again with a new vision of what we want for ourselves and our lives. The new year could be a perfect time to hit the reset button and start afresh. We don’t know yet what 2021 will hold for us -- but a new year brings a clean slate, and with it, the promise of new beginnings. For a truly fresh start, learn what you can from 2020 and then allow it to fade into the past. It’s over now. You don’t have to pick back up with the same goals you had last year. If you’re still motivated about achieving these things, then by all means, go after them -- use this fresh new-year mojo to jumpstart your motivation and kick some serious booty. But if you’re not feeling jazzed about your old goals, give yourself permission to let go of them. It’s okay. What you wanted for yourself a year ago may be completely different from what you want now, in 2021. Set your sights on the new year and create some new goals based on who you are now. 3) Set some new goals using the SMART method. If you’re setting some new goals for yourself, you may already have some ideas of what you want. But you can set yourself up for success by using the SMART method to define goals that are concrete and attainable. If you haven’t heard of the SMART acronym, it stands for: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time-bound When our goals are specific, they are well-defined and we know what we need to do to achieve them. Measurability allows us to track our progress, which can be very motivating. Having achievable and realistic goals means that we can reasonably accomplish them with the time, energy, and resources that we have available to us. And time-bound objectives give us a timeframe for achieving what we’re after. All five of these criteria make it easier for us to achieve what we truly want in life. If you need help getting started with some SMART goals, here’s a shameless plug for our business to illustrate what this process looks like in action. Let’s say you’ve realized you would like to start getting massages more often. You know that massages leave you feeling fantastic and help you maintain your overall wellness, so you decide you would like to get on a regular schedule to come see us more often (excellent choice!). In that case, you may want to take advantage of our Symmetry Resolution special -- basically, you’ll pre-book a series of massage appointments for the early months of 2021, and once you complete those sessions, you’ll be rewarded with a Symmetry gift card. Why is this SMART? It sets a specific goal for you to come in for either three or six massages by the end of April. It’s easily measurable -- each session you complete puts you closer to achieving your goal. The plan can be customized so it’s achievable and realistic for you and your schedule. You have three months to complete all of these sessions, making it a time-bound goal. If getting massage more frequently is among your wellness goals this year, ask one of our concierges for more details about the Resolution program -- and don’t forget to sign up before the end of January! In any case, we treasure you all and look forward to continuing our relationship with you in this new year. May 2021 bring you and your families light, love, and hope.

Why is Small Business Saturday a Big Deal?

Brandy — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 04:37:00 GMT

Small Business Saturday: Why Support Small Businesses? Mark your calendars: Small Business Saturday is coming up on November 28, 2020! We take great pride in being a small, locally-owned, independent company, so we’ll be running a couple of awesome holiday promotions for those who want to get an early start on their shopping list. More details to come on those shortly! In honor of Small Business Saturday, we want to celebrate all the companies out there that help shape communities and strengthen local economies. Small businesses like Symmetry make up a huge part of the US economy, encourage growth and innovation, and create a huge number of jobs. Unfortunately, with the challenges this year has brought, a lot of smaller companies are struggling. As your friendly neighborhood massage studio, we’d like to talk about why your support of local businesses matters so very much -- especially now. History of Small Business Saturday The first Small Business Saturday was celebrated on November 27, 2010. American Express helped create and promote the holiday in response to the economic recession that began in the late 2000s. It was conceived as a way to drive more holiday shoppers to small, local businesses rather than large corporate-owned companies. Small Business Saturday also emerged partly as an alternative to Black Friday, when big-box retailers hold massive sales that draw throngs of people into their stores. Now, instead of braving huge crowds at the mall, customers could visit local neighborhood shops on the following day and enjoy some of the same sales and discounts -- all while knowing that their money was helping to support small business owners. The idea caught on quickly, and in 2011, the Senate passed a resolution in favor of the new holiday. All 50 states now celebrate Small Business Saturday, and the yearly event has continued to grow and gain popularity. Why Do Small Businesses Matter? Small businesses can be enormously beneficial to their local communities and the larger economy. For customers, they provide valuable products and services with a unique, personal touch that you can’t find anywhere else. They add diversity to the marketplace and can respond to their communities’ needs and wants in ways that may be challenging for larger businesses to do. On top of all that, these companies create meaningful jobs that offer a greater level of personal connection and satisfaction than many corporate positions can. Small businesses generate revenue for their local economies, help their neighborhoods thrive, and foster a sense of community among all who live in the area. Companies like ours also help drive innovation and stimulate economic growth. In today’s world, it’s more doable than ever for entrepreneurs to take matters into their own hands and create the business they’ve dreamed of, and the creative possibilities are endless. The constant influx of new ideas offers us new solutions to problems and fresh ways to enhance our lives. Still not totally convinced? Read on for some fun facts about small companies that help illustrate the vital role they play in society. Fun Facts About Small Businesses Small businesses account for 44% of all economic activity. In Colorado, small businesses make up 32.1% of the economy, which is a little below the national average. But it’s still a significant percentage. Two-thirds of net new jobs in the US come from small companies. We may be small, but we are mighty: companies like Symmetry create a staggering number of jobs in the US. Small businesses have consistently created the majority of net new jobs since the 1970s. There are over 1,000 times more small businesses than corporations in the US. According to the Small Business Association (SBA), there are currently 30.2 million small companies in the US. These account for over 99.9% of all businesses in the country. Small businesses employ about 47.5% of the total US workforce. In February 2020, just before the pandemic struck, the total workforce reached a high of 164.6 million people -- which means that about 78 million of those workers were employed by small businesses at that time. In fact, if the small business workforce in the US were its own country, its population would make it the 20th largest nation in the world, just after Germany. In the US, it takes an average of six days and $325 to start a business. The relatively low startup costs and efficient processes we have for opening new businesses in the US make it easier to do here than in some other parts of the world. In India, the process takes 30 days and costs six times as much as it does here. 70% of new businesses survive for at least two years. Although only half of new companies are still in business after five years, almost three-quarters of them are still around after two years. We’re still here after almost thirteen years in business, so we consider ourselves very fortunate! Supporting Local Businesses This Holiday Season As we near the end of 2020, we’d like to take a moment to thank you all sincerely for your support through this unprecedented year. We cannot tell you how much it means to us -- or how grateful we are to still be here to serve our community. Each and every one of you is a valued part of our family, and we literally could not do what we do without you. We know that this year has been a challenge for many of you, as well. And no doubt these next few weeks of holiday preparations will look very different for many of us than in years past -- but if you are getting ready to start your shopping, we hope you’ll consider supporting your friendly neighborhood massage studio as well as other local businesses. It’s your support and generosity that help companies like ours stay afloat through pandemics, closures, and other unforeseen circumstances that have forced other business owners to close their doors. We offer gift cards, service packages, and self-care goodies for your loved ones to enjoy -- make sure to stop by our Highlands or Golden store to check out our holiday offerings. In any case, we hope this special time of year will find you safe and healthy, and that this will be a time of connection with your nearest and dearest. Until next time, take good care of yourselves, and stay well.

Cultivating Gratitude During Hard Times

Brandy — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 19:49:00 GMT

In the midst of a global pandemic and growing unrest in various corners of the world, it might seem strange to speak of gratitude. And yet, it’s times like these when cultivating gratitude can make the biggest difference in our lives. Practicing gratitude is a tool of resilience; a way for us to maintain a sense of hope and even joy amid the difficult circumstances many of us have faced this year. When life gets hard, we may have a tough time accessing positive feelings. Gratitude doesn’t always come naturally, and cultivating it (or not) is a choice we make. But being grateful reminds us that even when we’re faced with immense challenges, we can still find parts of our lives worth celebrating. Even in the darkest of times, we can find sparks of light -- as long as we’re willing to look for them. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, here are some simple suggestions for growing and deepening a sense of gratitude that can help support you and your loved ones through difficult days. Give yourself the space to feel any and all emotions. Practicing gratitude is not about denying reality. It’s not about pretending that everything in our lives is easy and perfect, and it’s certainly not about acting happy when we don’t feel it. Nor is it about forcing ourselves to feel grateful amid pain, loss, and uncertainty. We often label emotions like fear, anger, and grief as “negative” feelings, and sometimes we repress them in an effort to seem more positive and upbeat. While this instinct is understandable, it’s self-defeating because these feelings are part of who we are. To deny them is to reject ourselves. Only through self-love and acceptance can we process and ultimately release these types of feelings. The first step to accessing feelings of love and gratitude is to embrace all of the difficult and conflicting feelings within yourself. Once you become aware of these emotions, you can start to own them while realizing that they don’t define you -- that there’s a deeper presence within that exists beneath all of the thoughts and feelings. It won’t be an easy or overnight process, but once you let go of fighting these feelings and start working to accept them, they’ll begin to loosen their grip on your mind, heart, and soul, and you’ll begin to live from a place of greater clarity and peace. From this space, it’s much easier to see the good in your life and make the choice to practice gratitude, regardless of how you feel in the moment. Reframe the difficulties and setbacks you’ve experienced. If you’re like many people in this country, you or your loved ones may have faced some serious challenges and hardships this year. Sometimes, though, even the most difficult experiences may have a silver lining, a lesson to teach us, or other unforeseen positive effects on our lives. Often, it’s the hard times in our lives that shape us, that make us stronger and more resilient. Zhena Muzyka, author of Life By The Cup, says that our pain, our heartbreak, and our despair “carve” us, smoothing our rough edges and transforming us into vessels that can hold greater love and happiness than ever before. When changes happen that are beyond our control, it can help us to look for meaning within these experiences and understand how they shape us. Sometimes we are better able to see that meaning in retrospect after the worst is over. But if nothing else, facing adversity can remind us to appreciate parts of our lives that we’ve taken for granted in the past. Make a list of everything and everyone you’re grateful for. You’ve probably heard of this exercise before: taking a piece of paper and writing down all of the things you feel grateful for. We all have blessings in our lives -- it’s just a matter of opening our eyes to them. Not sure where to start? Think of where you live, and how fortunate you are to have shelter. Or contemplate the food you eat, and the nourishment you receive from it on a daily basis. If you’re healthy, it’s worth being grateful for your wellness. There are probably people who make your life special -- perhaps a partner, family, friends, or others in your community who’ve supported you over the years. These are all things to celebrate. It might feel strange or difficult to think of what you’re grateful for at first, but once you get started, you’ll probably think of more and more items to add to the list. When you finish, read back over what you’ve written. Keep your list somewhere where you can see it again and again. Being reminded of the many gifts in your life can fill you with warmth and gratitude even on the worst days. Think grateful thoughts each day. To make gratitude a habit, spend a few minutes each day reflecting on what and whom you’re most grateful for. You could refer to the list you made, or you could simply give thanks for the first couple of things that come to mind. When and how you practice gratitude is up to you. Some people practice gratitude meditations, while others like to give thanks at mealtimes or during prayer. You might like to practice silent gratitude each morning when you wake up to start the day off on an upbeat, positive note. Regardless of how you do it, the more you intentionally think grateful thoughts, the more naturally it will come to you, and the more positive your mindset will be. Resist the urge to complain. We all do it -- we’re only human, after all. But complaining is a surefire way to bring down our moods, as well as those of the people around us. Worse, more often than not, it just perpetuates more negativity; it usually doesn’t solve our problems. It’s okay to vent now and then if you need to blow off steam. Plus, angry and upset feelings can be helpful if they motivate us to make positive changes. So next time you feel agitated, try channeling these feelings into finding solutions to problems -- you’ll pave the way towards improving your life for the better. If you struggle with complaining, ask for help from the people around you to gently let you know when your words start to take a negative tone. You can then make the choice to change the subject of the conversation to something more upbeat. Express your gratitude to others. Gratitude is not only a mindset that we choose -- it can also be expressed through our actions towards other people. Look for ways to help your loved ones, lift their spirits, and make their lives easier. Surprise your partner with a spontaneous love note, or bring a friend lunch at work. Random acts of kindness make you and the other person feel wonderful, and they help spread goodwill throughout the world. One of the simplest things you can do is take a moment today to text, email, or call someone special to you. Let them know how much you appreciate their presence in your life. Everyone likes to feel appreciated -- so never underestimate how powerful it can be to just send a few caring words to someone. Gratitude is a beautiful practice that can dramatically change the way we see the world. Focusing on and celebrating the positive aspects of life helps us get through times of great challenge -- and often times, we come out the other side as stronger, wiser versions of ourselves.

8 Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety

Kina — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 06:44:00 GMT

8 Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety We don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but if you're feeling more stressed or anxious than usual right now, you are not alone. In these frightening times, many of us feel afraid and uncertain of what the future may hold. We have no roadmap, no precedent, for what’s happening in the world right now, and it can feel very challenging for us to navigate. Some days, it can feel like we're just putting one foot in front of the other, doing what we need to do to get by. Collectively and personally, we are undergoing profound struggles and hardships. But there’s reason for hope, because as humans, we have reserves of inner strength and resilience that can help carry us through the most difficult days. When we tap into this strength and reconnect with what is most important, it enables us to find some peace amid the chaos happening around us. With everything going on in the world right now, we’d like to share some of the tips that are helping us stay (mostly) sane and grounded. We hope they’ll bring you some needed comfort and solace. 1. Work with your breath. Your breath is a profound tool for re-grounding yourself and calming your mind. Ancient yogis believed that working with the breath could directly influence the flow of our life energy, or prana. Focusing on the breath is a simple but effective technique that can alter the state of our minds and bodies. When we’re relaxed, we tend to breathe more deeply and slowly; when we're anxious and on-edge, we unconsciously shift into a shallower, more rapid pattern of breathing. If you start to feel stressed, consciously shifting back into the more relaxed breathing pattern can help soothe your body and brain. Next time you notice yourself feeling upset or afraid, try this simple exercise: stop, wherever you are, and take five slow, deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth -- just for five breaths. With each inhale, fill your lungs completely, and with each exhale, empty them all the way. Try to focus your mind completely on the sensation of breathing and nothing else. While it’s not a magic “fix” for anxiety, working with the breath in this way is one of the quickest and most effective ways we know of to de-escalate stress. 2. Cultivate presence and mindfulness. What does it truly mean to practice mindfulness? According to mindful.com, mindfulness is about “becoming more aware of where you are and what you’re doing, without becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you.” It’s about paying attention to what you’re feeling in any given moment without judging or labeling your experience. Being mindful when you’re feeling anxious can feel challenging because it means we face those difficult feelings and allow them to be there. It means going into the heart of the anxiety and lovingly embracing those scared, raw, vulnerable feelings. Not distracting ourselves from them; not trying to banish those thoughts and make them go away. Just observing what is within ourselves and lovingly accepting what we find. So what does mindfulness look like during this time? It’s sitting quietly with ourselves and allowing feelings like anxiety, fear, anger, sadness, and grief to rise to the surface. It’s being compassionate with ourselves and giving ourselves the space to not feel happy or “okay” all the time. Only by experiencing and moving through our feelings can we ultimately find peace with them. 3. Let go of the need for control and certainty. Ah, this one’s a toughie. As humans, we want and need to feel in control of our lives and circumstances. We crave certainty and security because it makes us feel safe. But, actually, this safety is an illusion; we live in a fundamentally uncertain and unpredictable world where we can never be sure of what will happen next. We cannot ultimately guarantee that we and those we love will stay safe, healthy, and well -- and it can be hard to accept this fact. When we struggle to control things that are not within our control, we set ourselves up for stress and heartache. When we embrace that we’re not fully in control and we don’t always know how things will turn out, we can find a lot more peace. We can be ready to respond to life as it happens, and the world as it is. None of this is easy, but if you can practice sitting with the basic uncertainty of being human, you’ll be able to cope with life’s ups and downs with more grace and ease. 4. Establish healthy habits. We know; you’ve heard this advice before, probably many times. But making healthy choices around eating, exercise and sleep is especially important during times of challenge and strife. Stress taxes us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and the better we care for ourselves, the more we support our own happiness and well-being. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can have profound and noticeable effects on how we feel. Opt for whole foods like fresh fruits, veggies, and non-processed meats whenever possible. Foods like alcohol, caffeine, and sugary sweets may be tempting in the moment, and we’re not saying you have to cut them out completely, but all of these substances have been shown to increase stress and worsen anxiety, so it may help to limit your consumption of them. Physical activity is one of the best stress-busters there is. It doesn’t have to involve going to a gym; it can be as simple as getting out for a jog, walk, or bike ride three to five times a week for 30 minutes each. Focus on forms of activity that you enjoy and that feel good to you. And sleep is a vital part of keeping ourselves healthy and well. While you’ve probably heard of the standard recommendation of 8 hours per night, not everyone may need that amount of sleep. The key is to find out how much sleep you need in order to feel rested and try to get that amount of rest on a consistent basis. Having a consistent bedtime and nightly routine can help tell your body when it’s time to rest. 5. Do what nourishes you. What activities do you find nourishing? What do you enjoy doing that feels good, helps you unwind, or feeds your soul? Whether it’s writing in a journal, doing a yoga class, receiving a healing massage, or going out for a walk in nature, make it a priority to do what brings your joy and lifts your spirits on a regular basis. Engaging in your favorite activities can help reduce stress and brighten your days. Even if your activity doesn’t require you to set an appointment or attend a class, set a date with yourself, mark yourself unavailable for however long your schedule will allow, and hold this “you time” sacred. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s essential to your happiness and well-being, especially during difficult times. 6. Practice positivity and gratitude. We wrote a post last month about practicing positivity, and next month we’ll focus on gratitude in-depth. Cultivating a positive mindset isn’t about simply ignoring what’s going on in the world or allowing only “happy” thoughts to run through our minds; it’s about looking for what’s good and beautiful about the world, being mindful of our patterns of thinking, and choosing an upbeat approach to life. And if positivity is about seeing the good that’s around us, gratitude is about celebrating it. No matter what’s happening in the world, there is always something to be grateful for, even if it’s something very small. Most of us have friends, family, partners and loved ones in our lives, and that is a blessing. If we have our health, a place to live, and food to eat, we are truly fortunate. Again, we’re not suggesting simply turning a blind eye to the challenges and difficulties you may be facing right now; this is just a loving reminder to not forget or take for granted what is still wonderful and worth appreciating about your life. 7. Connect with loved ones. On that note, it can be very healing to connect with the ones you love. Whoever they are, and wherever they might be, don’t forget to check in with them and ask how they’re doing. If it’s possible and you feel safe doing so, you could visit with them in person, or arrange a virtual chat over Zoom or Skype. Seeing each other face-to-face and hearing each other’s voices can be incredibly comforting on its own, and your loved ones may be able to help or provide support if you tell them how you’ve been feeling. If you’ve got a partner or furry friend at home, there’s a lot to be said for cuddling: it feels wonderful, and it releases oxytocin -- a lovely feelgood hormone that can help relieve stress. 8. Get involved in your community. If you feel like you’ve been stuck in your own head, consider lending a hand to others who may need it. See what nonprofits and charity organizations might be looking for volunteers right now and ask how you may be able to help. Doing service work for others feels good, enables you to meet others in the community, and can help take your mind off of your daily stresses. We sincerely hope that this article finds you and your loved ones well. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if there’s anything we can do to support you during this time.

Staying Positive in a Chaotic World

Brandy — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 15:27:00 GMT

Life is constantly changing and we are constantly experiencing different ranges of emotions daily. Human minds are amazing and have the ability to do (or not do) all sorts of things. You see, thoughts drive our emotions, emotions drive our actions, and our daily actions add up to our life! So it is important to cultivate thoughts that will drive feelings and actions in the direction that YOU want. Do you want to think and feel positive and uplifting? Or do you want to think and feel negative, depressed, and heavy? Lately, with everything going on in the world, it might seem difficult to see light in life when it seems like everything is bad and negative. So we've included a few tips and tricks to help you improve yourself a little bit this month to help swing your frame of mind to seek out the positive. 1. The 50/50 Rule Staying positive all the time is IMPOSSIBLE! That's right you heard it here- being positive all the time is not actually achievable, and that is ok! (Wasn't expecting that were you?) Half the time life we experience positive emotion and half the time we experience negative emotion. When we expect life to be happy all of the time, we end up feeling like something has gone wrong, leading to us viewing things more negatively. And as humans, we experience a lot of emotions and happiness is just ONE of them. So remember when life is down or uncomfortable that it is ok! Feel your emotions as you need, so they can pass, and then let the thoughts go, knowing that they are supposed to feel yucky sometimes, but take comfort that you KNOW there will be good times ahead. 2. Identify areas to change. If you want to become more optimistic and engage in more positive thinking, first identify areas of your life that you usually think negatively about, whether it's work, your daily commute, or a relationship. You can start small by focusing on one area to approach in a more positive way. Some times its easier to just write a brain dump on a piece of paper with all of the little things about your job/relationship/etc. that you like, brings a smile, or just makes life a little easier. Identifying those things and then taking a moment of gratitude when you encounter them will rewire your brain to look for the positive aspects regularly. 3. Check yourself. Periodically during the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them. Sometimes it is nice to take a moment to acknowledge the negative thoughts and then ask yourself how you would like to feel about the situation or your day, then try to focus on that feeling and what brings that feeling. It doesn't have to be happy. It can be contentment, or productive, or inspired, or efficient, or any other emotion that allows you to access positive states of mind. 4. Be open to humor. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday happenings. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed. In fact, science back up that genuine laughter helps boost the immune system and keep cortisol (aka the stress hormone) levels down. 5. Follow a healthy lifestyle. I know, this is the answer for everything, but it is true that movement, a healthy diet (for your body type), sleep, and mindfulness pretty much help your body and brain to perform at its optimal levels. That includes being able to produce and maintain hormone and chemical balance in the brain leading to optimism and positive outlooks. And the brain likes to prove its self right. If you tell it that things are great, then it wants to prove that they are! So give it the support it needs. 6. Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways. Misery loves company so don't allow yourself to take on and wallow in someone else stress. Surrounding yourself with positive people helps you create habits of looking for the good in things when it is reinforced by our friends and family. 7. Practice positive self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to a small child. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally, and remember you are not your thoughts. Your worth is inherent and your negative thoughts don't change that. Need help getting started? List 3 things that you like about yourself. Try to go for things like your actions, or personality, or skills and less for physical attributes. (It's okay to LOVE your body! Just remember it changes and our worth doesn't come from the physical!)

Back to School Tips for 2020

Brandy — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 13:25:00 GMT

It's that time of year again when parents are finally able to start sending their kids back to school and to get that much-needed break and return to normalcy after a chaotic summer. But this year the stress of starting school is much hirer than usual this year amid Covid-19 plaguing our schools, work, and lives. What should be a sigh of relief is quickly becoming a huge controversial topic- Should I send my kids back to school? Or should I keep them home? Ultimately, you will have to decide what is best for your family and household, but we're here to offer you some tips and resources, whatever you decide, to help your family be successful in tough times. Keep Up Hand Washing and Sanitizing Practices- At home make sure that even if you aren't leaving the house it is good to keep up periodic handwashing habits! If going to school, make sure your kids have a plan for handwashing and sanitizing while at school. Such as sanitizing between classes, or after recess and lunch. Having a plan in place and discussing habits will help keep your kids aware of their health! Movement- Not only does it help keep energy levels balanced movement helps Jumping-Jacks periodically through the day can do the trick, but keep it fun for you and the kids! Keeping your movement up too will help distress the body and keep cortisol levels down. Incorporating movement throughout the day will help balance energy and will allow for better focus when learning! Good Food- Do your families' bodies a favor and keep them stocked up with good nutrients and vitamins to help keep your immune systems in tip-top shape and keep brain functions optimal! Time for Play- Laughter and playtime are huge for boosting the immune system, relaxing, and learning. They say laughter is good for the soul, but it's good for the body too! Having time for play allows you and the kids to decompress, have fun, boost your moods, and helps solidify things they learned into place. Imagination is a large part of comprehension, so the more you use it at home, the easier it is to apply critical thinking skills inside the classroom! Blue Light Blockers- Whether your kids are going into the classroom or doing virtual classes, if they will be experiencing a lot of screen time, it may be helpful to invest in some blue light blocker eyewear. This will help keep with eye strain, and keeping the body's natural rhythms in order for better sleep and learning comprehension. Compassion- Last but not least, make sure to have a little compassion for your kids, their teachers, and YOURSELF! Life is hard for a lot of people right now so make sure you are giving yourself and your family a little extra leeway than usual while we all adjust to our new 'normal' and remember the most important skills you can teach is love, compassion, and a thirst for knowledge! Resources to Help Get the Technological Need of Your Family Met Check out these sites to see what they can do for your family. You can also check with your school or online program to see what options they have as well! C3-Colorado- Is a company that takes old devices and refurbishes them to give to schools and non-profit organizations. Contact them if you want to see what they can do for your school or organization! PCs for People- This is an organization that helps individual families and non-profits get low-cost internet solutions and equipment. You must qualify to receive aid, but you can do it quickly and easily online and order online too! Computers for Kids, INC. (CFK)- Is a non-profit organization that takes donations of computers, refurbishes and licenses them, and then donates fully equipped computer systems to schools, non-profits, and students in grades K-14. Fill out an application today!

6 Tips for Adventuring in 2020

Brandy — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 01:57:00 GMT

Summer is upon us and, in Colorado, that always means adventure season. We hope that this year you are still able to get outdoors and enjoy our great state, but we want to make sure you stay safe. We have prepared some safety and wellness tips for those of you who are just itching to get out and explore this season. Remember, whether you go hiking, camping, biking, rock climbing, or just playing some good ol’ kick ball, self-care and safety are the most important guidelines to follow. Tip 1: Stay Healthy and Take Precautions First and foremost, with all that has happened so far in 2020, you want to make sure you are following the county and state-mandated guidelines for keeping safe during Covid-19. This means that you should always wear a mask unless you are outdoors. Remember that rules can vary from county to county and state to state so always check in to see what the guidelines are where you are going. Avoid gatherings in groups of ten or more and try to stay with people you have been around throughout the quarantine or know are symptom-free. Nothing ruins a good adventure like illness. Tip 2: Get the Right Gear Once you have made sure you are following the correct guidelines, you will want to ensure that you have the proper equipment for your sport or adventure. Make sure that you have an up-to-date first aid kit with you at all times. Always drink plenty of water and make sure that you have access to clean drinking water to refill bottles when empty. Wear sunscreen and reapply regularly (we can’t massage you with a sunburn). Tip 3: Take Care of Your Gut It may sound so obvious, but eating healthy and taking care of your digestive system is a very important part of maintaining self-care. Remember that 70% of your immune system is located in your gut. Eating lean meats and consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables is the best way to support your immune system. This is also another great way to maintain your body’s hydration levels as fruits and vegetables naturally contain a lot of water in their cells. There are also herbs like ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon that help to reduce inflammation in the body and boost your immune system. Tip 4: Don’t Forget to Stretch When it comes to self-care in preparation for or management after your adventures, you always want to make sure you stretch. It doesn’t have to be yoga, just some great dynamic stretches before your activities and static stretches after will keep your muscles limber and ready for round two. Click the links to see some great examples of dynamic and static stretches. Ever wonder why so many Symmetry therapists ask you if you are ok with them stretching you? It’s great for your muscles, your recovery, and your maintenance. Next to hydration, stretching is the most important rule for activities. It is the easiest way to avoid injury. Tip 5: Know What to do if Someone is Hurt Speaking of injuries, what should you do to treat an injury? This depends on the type and severity of the injury. Of course, any serious injury such as a sprained joint, torn muscle or ligament, broken bone, burns, or allergic reactions to plants and bug bites should always be attended to by your primary care or an urgent care physician as soon as possible. Acute injuries (anything less than 48 hours old) should be iced to prevent swelling. Typically, anything older than 48 hours should have a moist, warm compress applied to reduce swelling. Avoid dry heat like electric heating pads as these can actually dehydrate the muscle and cause further injury. Remember that your massage therapist most likely won’t want to work on you until you have seen and been cleared by a doctor after a serious injury. Tip 6: Self Care for the Body Now onto the best part of self-care for activities: massage! Massage therapy is a great way to help your muscles stay in shape for any kind of sport or activity that you have planned. Massage helps the muscles to recover faster after activity by releasing lactic acid buildup and encouraging the growth of healthy muscle tissue. Massage can also warm up the muscles by increasing blood flow before an activity. Don’t forget our infrared sauna that is designed to help alleviate aches and pains with soothing infrared rays. Did you know that massage therapists can specialize in specific modalities and even cater to specific athletes? At Symmetry, we have therapists that specialize in injury massage as well as sports. You can always read about their specialties on our website’s bio section or call and speak to our friendly concierges to see which therapist would best suit your needs. Remember that our job this summer is to ensure that you get the most out of yours. We love to see you before and after your adventures to ensure that you are staying healthy and happy.

What I Learned from my Dad

Kina — Sat, 20 Jun 2020 09:29:00 GMT

I am not sure if there is a stereotypical Dad in real life, but if so, my father is certainly not it. I mean, he loves a good (or bad) fart joke as much as anyone… and he would frequently interrupt our weekend morning cartoons with a random drive-by mooning, but really, who doesn’t? My dad immigrated to the US from Japan right out of high school because he wanted to become a rock star. So, like any aspiring rock star he hopped on a jet and landed in… you guessed it - Great Falls Montana! I have never gotten the story on what must have been an incredible foreign marketing campaign by the college there. After 1 year there he and my mother moved to Boston so he could attend Berkley College of Music – an environment a bit better suited to his goals. I eventually came along and made things more complicated for my then unmarried inter-racial parents. None of this is typical for your average Japanese man. Despite strong cultural expectations and incentives my dad is and always has been a rebel. While he has made great use of his education and passion, he sadly never attained rock star-dom. He did attain father-dom and I have learned a great deal from him and his example. Fearless Determination I didn’t realize it growing up, but the things my father did – like leaving the country of his birth (especially without knowing the language); moving a young family across the continent from Boston to Hawaii with no jobs or solid plans lined up; making the leap to entrepreneurship – being betrayed by a partner and then making the leap again – takes a tremendous amount of courage, determination and self-belief (and maybe a little bit of crazy) that is actually very rare. And while the title says “fearless” I know that is a misnomer because he did them with incredible amounts of fear and stress… but he did them! It was only as I became an adult and ventured out on my own in the world did I realize how few people take the leap to pursue ideas, dreams and possibilities the way my father does. Seeing him take the jumps, keep working and find a way to figure it out one way or another has given me a deep reservoir of confidence to do the same in my own life and it has served me well so far. You are what you think – You have the ability to shape your reality He told me once while I was exasperated with him in my early teens that I should not expect him to be an adult, because he had only immigrated to the US 17 years ago: which meant he was a teen in US years. While I couldn’t always rely on my dad to be the adult in the room, that eye-rolling moment for a 13-year-old was a lighthearted example of many that my father presented of shaping your own reality. When I was growing up we were mostly broke, I can remember that it was a big deal for my parents to save $50 or $100 to throw us a birthday party. We had to “float” checks to pay for groceries frequently enough that I as a child was aware of this. Even though I was aware of our financial struggles for the majority of my childhood– and it shaped our landscape – my parents never let it shape our potential. The mindset was never “no we can’t” it was “ we will make it” “ we will figure out a way” and… we always did, sometimes by the skin of our teeth, and luck could have taken us in a different direction – but none-the-less the constant looking for opportunities to succeed meant he often found them or created them. Always be Learning and evolving Throughout my childhood my Dad was always evolving, he is never stagnant. He started out wanting to be a rock star, and he got a degree in Audio Engineering with a minor in Jazz… but my Dad is a constant self-learner. If he encounters something that interests him or that he needs to know for a project he will immerse himself in learning it, and not just learning it, but applying it. He learns to DO. He’s taught himself video and photo editing, CGI, programming and markup languages, and endless iterations of audio and video editing on a myriad of platforms. He isn’t afraid to pull the car, or electronics apart with little to no training and figure out how to put it back together again. He has built computers and server systems, websites, sound studios, stages, lighting riggs, and furniture. The lists are endless. He is fascinated by how things work and how to make them work better. The result is that he is always engaged and growing. This is a value that has shown me rewards in spades throughout my life so far, and if he is any indication it will continue to do so. None of these things are things I think my Dad set out to teach me, I never got any lectures or deep conversations about these values. He taught me these things by living who he is… And that is probably the most important lesson he has given me – the permission by his example to just live who you are unapologetically. Thanks Dad <3 To all the Dads out there, know that you are imparting the most cherished lessons your kids will grow from just by being you!! Thank You!! Happy Father’s Day!

Gardening Can Improve Your Health!

Brandy — Sat, 09 May 2020 20:21:00 GMT

Spring is in full bloom and summer is just around the corner. With all of the uncertainty occurring around the current Covid-19 pandemic, you may be worried about your health and what you can do to take charge. This virus has caused a lot of schedule changes and lifestyle adjustments for everyone. The kids are at home full time, you may be working from home, or maybe you are unsure of when you will get to return to work. All of these worries can cause a great amount of stress and anxiety. Fear not! As always, the staff of Symmetry is here to lend a hand. This month, we want to tell you how gardening can improve both your mental and physical health. Many research studies have been done on the positive effects of gardening and the results show that this seemingly small activity can actually have some large impacts. In 2013, The American Journal of Public Health conducted a study that showed that people who garden have a lower body mass index (BMI). Gardening is considered to be a form of physical exercise. Exercise is great for your physical and mental health as it helps to produce endorphins. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider gardening to be a form of moderate to high-intensity exercise depending on which activity you partake in. Gardening can include planting, pulling weeds, raking leaves, and mowing the lawn. You can burn up to 330 calories during just one hour of light yard work and gardening. That is more than lifting weights or walking briskly for the same amount of time. That means that gardening for just a couple of hours can burn far more calories than you would from an hour in the gym. That is why The National Institute of Health recommends 30-45 minutes of gardening up to five times a week. Physical health benefits are a great reason to get out and start a garden and the effects can last a lifetime. A study conducted by The British Medical Journal on the effects of gardening in people ages 60 and up found that the risk of heart attack and stroke decreases by 30% in those who garden regularly. Gardening can also improve your hand strength and reduce your risk of osteoporosis. Being outside in the garden allows your body to absorb sunlight which produces vitamin D. Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium which will strengthen both your bones and your immune system. Regular gardening also allows you to take part in repetitive tasks and actions that can ensure all of your major muscle groups are being utilized. This can help decrease the risk of losing bone density as well. Additional studies have shown that the strenuous activity and exposure to sunlight that comes from gardening can improve your sleep habits and have you feeling well-rested. Physical health isn’t the only health benefit you will receive from gardening; an improvement in your mental health can also be linked. Research suggests that engaging in a physical activity such as gardening can help lower the risk of developing dementia. This study followed a group of people in their 60s and 70s for 16 years and found that those who gardened on a regular basis had between a 36 and 47 percent lower risk of developing dementia than their non gardening peers. Unlike in the winter time when many can experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, gardening in the spring and summer can actually elevate your mood due to extra exposure to the sun’s rays. Gwen Freid, the Manager of Horticulture Therapy at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation Center states, “Nature has a huge impact on health and wellness. We know that people’s cortisol levels go down in a calm, green environment.” This is why more hospitals are using planting and flower arranging as a type of rehabilitation for patients recovering from injuries, strokes, surgery, and other conditions. A study conducted at Rutgers University showed that flowers are a natural and healthful moderator of moods and have an immediate impact on happiness. The study showed that flowers and gardening can make for a more intimate connection between individuals. In fact, a 2016 study in The Journal of Public Health showed that people who work in community gardens have significantly better self-esteem, total mood disturbance, and general health compared to those who do not garden. Gardening can even help to lower stress and improve concentration. Experts say that gardening can help you enter a state of consciousness similar to that of what you experience while meditating. Once you are in this state, you won’t need to worry about bills, deadlines, or anyone but yourself. Just breathe in the fresh air, focus on the garden, and forget about your worries for a while. Why should adults be the only ones who benefit? Gardening is a great activity to get your kids involved in. Not only will you get to spend quality time bonding with them, but they can learn from their experience. Maintaining a garden and keeping plants healthy is a great way to learn and practice responsibility. Spending time in the garden is also a great way to enhance the sensory system. There are so many different textures, colors, smells, and noises going on in a garden that it is an easy way to help young children learn about all of their different senses. Gardening outdoors can also offer an improved connection to the world and nature when you and your children experience the sights, sounds, and changes of seasons first hand. Growing your own food in your garden not only helps you to maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet, but it can teach your kids about where food comes from and the hard work that goes into producing it. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Science says that this may also be a good way to get your kids to try new foods that they may not have been open to before. Digging in the dirt is another great health benefit for children and adults alike. Exposure to M. Vaccae, a healthy bacterium that lives in soil, can increase levels of serotonin and reduce anxiety. Exposing children to dirt and naturally occurring bacteria at an early age can build up their immune system and reduce their risk of developing asthma, allergies, and eczema in the future. Children can also expand their imaginations by building a fairy garden in their own backyard. Gardening inspires us to experience feelings of awe, gratitude, and abundance; three things that we could all use more of. Instead of focusing on all of the negativity and unsure feelings in the world right now, take the time to focus on yourself and your own health. Gardening should no longer be seen as a chore but, rather, an investment into your health and well-being. Being in a garden allows us to feel a profound connection to nature. This affords us the opportunity to focus on the beauty that surrounds us. Step into your garden and relax.

Patrick: The Saint That Never Was

Brandy — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 12:35:00 GMT

With spring quickly approaching, we here at Symmetry thought it was time to look into the history behind St. Patrick’s Day and why it is celebrated so widely. We did a little digging into the history of this man and the holiday that honors him in order to bring you the origin story of St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland whose feast is traditionally held every year on the anniversary of his death; March 17th, 461. Patrick is credited with introducing Ireland to Christianity. However, much like the famous potato that is often credited to the Irish (it is actually native to North America and was introduced to Ireland), St. Patrick was not native to Ireland. St. Patrick was born Maewyn Succat in the late 300s A.D. in Roman Britain. At the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and enslaved in Northern Ireland for six years. He learned to speak the Irish language and became familiar with their traditions. Patrick finally escaped back to Britain but was captured again by the French and taught Monasticism, or how to be a monk. The French released Patrick after only a few years and sent him back to Britain where he continued to study Christianity. Patrick then claimed that he had a vision in which God told him to bring Christianity to the pagan and druid people of Ireland so he set out to return to Ireland in 432. When Patrick arrived back in Ireland, he found that he was not immediately welcome on the main land so he began his teachings on a small group of islands off the coast. Eventually, his following grew so large that when he did travel to the main land of Ireland, he was able to spread the word of Christianity baptizing 100,000 people, ordaining new priests, guiding women towards nunhood, converting the sons of kings in the region, and aiding in the formation of over 300 churches. Mostly he is known for running the snakes out of Ireland. However, snakes have never inhabited Ireland and some say that this may have been a metaphor for running the pagan religion out of Ireland. Patrick’s converting the Irish people to Christianity was successful in large part due to his incorporation of nature into his teachings of Christianity. Rather than completely eradicating the Irish traditions, he chose to relate them to Christianity. The pagans already used fire to worship their gods so St. Patrick celebrated Easter with a bonfire. The pagan population already believed in triple deities and, therefore, regarded the number three as holy. Patrick used this opportunity to teach the pagans about the Holy Trinity and used a three-leaf shamrock to symbolize this. That is why we associate the shamrock with St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick is also responsible for creating the Celtic Cross. The sun was a powerful symbol to the Irish culture so Patrick superimposed the sun over the cross in order to make the transition to Christianity more natural for the pagan people. Traditionally in Ireland, families would honor St. Patrick by attending church and celebrating with a feast in the afternoon. Given that St. Patrick’s feast day was held in the middle of Lent, religious prohibitions regarding the consumption of meat were waived on this day and families would dance and eat the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. The first observance of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is around the end of the 9th century. The holiday has long been a traditional religious observance in Ireland with only sober celebrations taking place. Irish law even mandated that pubs be closed on March 17th in order to observe it as a strictly religious holiday up until the 1970s. It wasn’t until Budweiser ran a campaign in the 80s that St. Patrick’s Day began to be a holiday marked by drinking alcohol. In 1995, the Irish government began a national campaign to use worldwide interest in St. Patrick’s Day to drive tourism and showcase Irish culture. Now the holiday is a bigger fanfare in Ireland and includes parades. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was actually held in America. Records show that a parade for St. Patrick was held in Saint Augustine Florida on March 17th, 1601. In 1772, Irish soldiers serving in the British army marched in a parade in New York on March 17th to honor their patron saint. As Irish emigration to the United States grew, parades began to be observed in cities with large Irish populations such as Boston and Chicago as well. In 1962 Chicago began turning the river green in order to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (don’t worry, the dye is safe for the environment and made from vegetables). Ok, so the Emerald Isle and shamrocks must be the reason we associate Patrick with green, right? Wrong; Patrick was a bishop and bishops traditionally wore blue during the time that Patrick was teaching Christianity. Up until the Irish Rebellion of 1798, blue was the color used to celebrate St. Patrick. During the rebellion, Irish soldiers wore green and sang “The Wearing of the Green” to show that they were united in fighting off the British Redcoats. After that, green became Ireland’s mainstay color and the new traditional color to wear in order to honor St. Patrick on March 17th. Interestingly enough, St. Patrick was never canonized as a saint. This is mostly due to the era in which he lived. In the first millennium, there was no canonization process in the Catholic Church. Patrick was proclaimed a saint by popular acclaim. So, this March 17th as you enjoy your corned beef and cabbage, remember to think of the man who transformed religion in Ireland. From a kidnapped boy forced into slavery to a saint by popular demand, Patrick became the patron saint of Ireland that we still celebrate nearly two thousand years after his death.

Benefits of Consistent Massage - Why You Should Be Receiving Massage Regularly

Brandy — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 18:21:00 GMT

I can’t tell you how many times I have asked a new client how often they receive massage and the answer is, “Once every 3-5 years.” This blows my mind because, while some people may see massage as a treat or luxury, it is actually a necessity that your body requires on a regular basis. The more often you receive massage, the easier it will be for you to maintain good health. The truth is, massage is no longer a luxury. In the days of desk jobs and computer dependence, it is more important than ever for you to receive massage on a regular basis. Many health insurance companies will now cover the costs of massage as part of your health savings account because they realize how necessary it is. In today’s technologically driven world, we spend far too much time sitting at a desk hunched over a keyboard. These prolonged periods of sitting can lead to shortened and overworked muscles in both your chest and core. Massage can improve your posture which will help alleviate your constant aches and pains as well as improve your breathing. Regular massage can help to improve your muscle memory and loosen the strain on these muscle groups. This will help to retrain the opposing muscles in your shoulders and back effectively improving your posture, making more room for your lungs to expand, and relieving chronic back, neck, and shoulder pains. It is hard to retrain and maintain proper posture if you are only receiving massage once every few months or years. Beyond retraining muscles to improve upon chronic pain, massage has a wealth of other benefits. Massage releases endorphins which are your body’s natural mood booster and can lead to a reduction in the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Did you know that your body only has two states of being? As humans, we are hard wired to be in either fight-or-flight mode or rest-and-digest. With all of the stressors of our current world and lifestyle, we are spending far too much time in fight-or-flight mode. Computers, cell phones, traffic, alarm clocks, balancing work and home life are all contributors to a stressful lifestyle. Massage helps to relax you and put you into the rest-and-digest mode so that your body and mind can heal. Being in the rest-and-digest stage can help to strengthen your immune system by lowering the levels of cortisol and adrenaline in your body. In fact, a recent study made by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, showed that one of the benefits of massage is its ability to reduce levels of cortisol by over 53%. The study also showed that massage increases your body’s dopamine and serotonin levels; these are the “happy” chemicals released by your body when it is relaxed. Massage also reduces swelling after injuries or surgeries and can even help to prevent injuries from happening. Have you ever wondered why you often see so many Olympic and professional athletes receiving massage just before or after an event? Massage can help improve athletic performance and recovery. Massage actually helps rid the muscle groups of dead tissue in order to make room for new, healthy tissue growth. By receiving massage after an event, your tissues can better flush out the lactic acid which can cause cramps in your muscles and lead to injury. Massage can improve circulation and flexibility and it can help to eliminate toxins from your system and improve your skin. Eliminating toxins can improve the function of your internal organs and digestion. There have been numerous medical studies performed by such institutions as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of Colorado, Duke University, and Emory University to test the effects of massage on diseases and ailments ranging from sports injury to depression and anxiety. Some of the benefits of massage found in these studies include: reduced stress, reduced depression, reduced anxiety, relief from headaches, increased regularity in digestion, relief from fibromyalgia pain, improved sleep, tissue repair in injuries, and relief in temporomandibular joint pain (TMJD). Massage may even help you lose weight and reduce cellulite. It has even been shown that stimulation of the lymph nodes during massage recharges the body’s natural defense system and increases the number of white blood cells produced in the body effectively boosting your immune system. Of course, there are many different types of massage and not all of these benefits will be felt in a single massage session which is why it is best to speak with your therapist about the needs you are hoping to meet from every session. Massage therapy actually consists of several modalities ranging from energy work to deep physical rehabilitation. It is important to do your research in order to find a therapist that will fit your needs and is well trained in their specialty. After all, you wouldn’t see an eye doctor for a broken ankle, would you? This is why the staff at Symmetry asks so many questions when booking your massage. We want to ensure that we place you with a therapist that is trained to properly address your specific issues so that you leave feeling renewed and positive about your new health approach. Receiving massage once a month is a good starting point if you are healthy. However, depending on your stress load and activity level, the amount of optimal time between sessions may be more or less frequent. Typically, your therapist will recommend you come in once every two weeks to ensure that your muscle tissue remains pliable and easy to work with. If you are experiencing high levels of stress, or are hoping to work out a specific issue, or undo years of bad postural habits, it may be necessary for you to come in more frequently until the issue is at a more manageable level. When working towards a specific goal, your therapist will usually recommend you visit frequently enough that you are still feeling the positive effects from the last session. In this way, each massage continues to build on the positive change of the last without having to repeat much of the same work over again each time. Remember, it is never wrong to ask your therapist for a recommendation on how often you should come back. A great therapist will tell you upfront how often they feel they optimally need to see you in order to continue your treatment plan. It is also important to realize that if you fall off of your treatment plan, it may take several sessions to catch you back up again. The wonderful thing about the human body having muscle memory is that once you are retrained, it takes fewer sessions to keep you in that healthy postural habit. That means that you can live your best life and not have to be in pain between sessions. To recap, massage is more than relaxation and is beneficial to many vital systems in your body. Just as it is necessary to see a doctor once a year for a health check, it is necessary to receive massage on a regular basis to maintain your health. You may even find that your health improves drastically once you maintain a regular massage schedule of every three to four weeks. You know when you get on a flight and the flight attendant reminds you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before securing the masks of those around you? The same concept applies to massage and self-care; if you aren’t taking care of yourself, you can’t really help others. So remember, love yourself, get massage, feel great! See you in a couple of weeks! “Caring for your body, mind, and spirit is your greatest and grandest responsibility. It's about listening to the needs of your soul and then honoring them.” – Kristi Ling

Infrared Sauna - Color Guide and Review

Brandy — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 14:18:00 GMT

I recently had the opportunity to try out the new infrared sauna at Symmetry’s LoHi location and I am addicted! I had done some research on the benefits of the sauna in order to write my previous blog announcing its debut, so when I was invited to try it out to write this review, I jumped at the chance. I had read so many great things from how it can help sore muscles and joints to how it can support your immune system so I was curious, to say the least. I went in when I was trying to kick the final symptoms of a cold and was experiencing some muscle tension in my lower back. I was amazed at how I felt upon emerging from my session. In just 15 short minutes, my muscle tension was gone and, in the days following, my cold cleared up completely. When I arrived, I was given a short tutorial on how the sauna will slowly increase heat up to 130 degrees while I’m inside as to not shock or overwhelm my system. I was also provided with a cool washcloth soaked in relaxing, therapeutic grade, essential oils to keep me cool in the sauna or to cool down with after. When I stepped into the sauna, I was surprised to feel just how dry it was. I am used to the typical moist saunas that you would usually encounter in a spa or fitness club and, while I knew from research that this wouldn’t be the same, I was pleasantly taken aback with how un-sauna-like it really was. I didn’t find myself overheating or sweating profusely while inside. In fact, it was very relaxing and enjoyable. My favorite feature was that you are given control of the color frequency you experience while inside via remote control. The colors available and their benefits are as follows: Red Red is called “The Great Energizer.” It loosens, releases stiffness and constrictions. It is excellent for areas that have become stiffened. Red is the first visible color we see after the infrared band is passed. It promotes cellular growth, stimulating the “will” aspect, or the circulatory system. It is therefore indicated for all colds, sluggish or dormant conditions, such as pneumonia, arthritis, anemia, as a liver stimulant, an energy builder, and for increasing circulation. Red links with and stimulates the base of the spine, causing the adrenal glands to release adrenalin. This results in greater strength. Red causes hemoglobin to multiply, thus increasing energy raising body temperature conditions as it stimulates sensory nerves such as hearing, taste, smell, and activates metabolism. It is excellent for anemia or blood-related conditions. Yellow Yellow helps awaken mental inspiration arousing a higher mentality. Thus, it is an excellent color for nervous or nerve-related conditions or ailments; fueling the solar plexus. Yellow has a very enriching effect upon the intellect. Yellow can be used for conditions of the stomach, liver, and intestines. It can help the pores of the skin by repairing scarred tissue. These rays have an alkalizing effect which strengthens the nerves. Awakening, inspiring and vitally stimulating the higher mind promoting self-control. Typical diseases treated by yellow are constipation, gas, liver troubles, diabetes, eczema, and nervous exhaustion. Providing clarity of thought, increasing awareness, stimulating interest and curiosity yellow energy is related to the ability to perceive or understand. The yellow energy connects us to our mental self. Green Green is the universal healing color. Green is midway in the color spectrum; therefore, it contains both a physical nature and a spiritual nature, in equal balance and in equal harmony. Thus, green can be used for just about any condition in need of healing. When in doubt, green will always work. Help relax muscles, nerves, and thoughts. The color green cleanses and balances our energy, to give a feeling of renewal, peace, and harmony. Used primarily for balancing our whole being It is neither relaxing nor astringent in its impact. In a more practical sense, green affects blood pressure and all conditions of the heart. Having both an energizing effect, moderating, or soothing effect. Green can help heal many illnesses of this nature, specifically including heart troubles, decreasing and stabilizing blood pressure, ulcers, cancer, headaches, nervous disorders and influenza, and acts as a general tonic. Blue Blue, on the other hand, is at the opposite end of the visible spectrum. Blue can be used for any type of ailments associated with speech, communication, or the throat. This is a mentally relaxing color. Blue has a pacifying effect on the nervous system encouraging great relaxation. It is ideal for sleep problems. Blue light connects us to holistic thought and gives us wisdom and clarity enhancing communication and speech. Relaxing, soothing blue rays bring great calm and peace to the mind that is worried, excited, or in a constant nervous state. It is a very positive color, indicating loyalty and reliability, as expressed in the sentiment of being “true blue.” Orange Orange has a freeing action upon the mind, relieving repression. Because orange is a blend of red and yellow, it combines physical energy with mental wisdom, inducing a transformation between lower physical reaction and higher mental response. Thus, it is often referred to as “The Wisdom Ray.” Orange is warm, cheering, and non-constricting. Through orange, we are able to heal the physical body (red) and, at the same time, induce within the mind (yellow) greater understanding. Orange helps assimilate new ideas. Orange is the best emotional stimulant, helping to remove inhibitions paving independent social behavior. Bring joy to your workday and strengthen your appetite for life. Orange aids in repairing inflammation of the kidneys, gallstones, menstrual cramps, epilepsy, wet cough, and all sinus conditions. Violet Violet is the last color we can see before light passes on to ultra-violet. This color is an excellent remedy for neurosis, diseases of the scalp, sciatica, tumors, rheumatism, cerebral spinal meningitis, concussion, cramps, and epilepsy. Violet animates and cleans the venous blood. It is generally not used for physical conditions; however, some color experts believe that it does provide nourishment to the cells in the upper brain. Violet purifies our thoughts and feelings giving us inspiration in all undertakings. The violet energy connects us to our spiritual self-bringing guidance, wisdom and inner strength, and enhances artistic talent and creativity. Leonardo da Vinci proclaimed that you can increase the power of meditation tenfold by meditating under the gentle rays of violet, as found in church windows. I chose orange for myself (in case you were wondering) so that I could support my immune system and get my creative juices flowing in order to write. Of course, if I could offer you a small piece of advice about this sauna, it’s hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!! Make sure to drink plenty of water before going in so that you can sweat and detox. Afterward, you will need to replenish all of the fluids you lost from sweating so drink even more water. The new shower is simply stunning and was much appreciated to clean off any sweat that the sauna drew out. Per usual, Symmetry is a hospitable host and supplies you with everything you will need in order to make the most of your experience in the sauna from shampoo and body wash to hair ties and cotton swabs. They also offer new, luxurious, microfiber towels to dry off with. I left feeling relaxed, refreshed, and ready to take on the world. After all of the positive effects I felt after just one short session, I will definitely be utilizing this new sauna on a regular basis.

Touch and The Human Connection

Brandy — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 10:22:00 GMT

Do you remember when you were little and a kiss from mom could instantly heal any pain caused by an injury? Scientists have discovered that this and other methods of touch actually do help to increase healing and pain tolerance in addition to other emotional benefits. Touch is the first of our five senses to develop. We are wired to want and need touch. Just think about a newborn baby; instinctively they will grasp a finger or attempt to snuggle into you. This is not a trait that has been taught to them. How could it be? The truth is that humans are meant to touch in order to build a connection whether it be romantic, paternal, or plutonic. Touch helps us form emotional connections to others. Touch is important early on in life for so many reasons. In the past 15 years, multiple studies have shown that babies who are held in skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth show more stable breathing and body temperature. They also tend to develop a stronger immune system and cry less often than newborns who are separated from their mothers after birth. Mothers who hold their baby are also showing benefits such as more confidence when caring for their infant. Both mother and baby display lower levels of stress as well. Research has also shown that infants who receive loving touch are more capable of self-regulating their emotions as they age than those infants who are deprived of sensory stimulation. This is why even parents of premature infants are encouraged to have regular contact through incubators. Premature infants who received regular touch are shown to gain more weight and have increased bone density which lead to shorter hospital stays. There have been mountains of research done at universities all over the world to prove that touch is healing. Dr Jim Coan, a neuroscientist at Virginia University, scanned the brains of a group of married women that had been subjected to pain. His results showed that when these women were allowed to hold the hand of their spouse, there was an immediate drop in activity in the areas of the brain that express fear, danger, and threat. These women were calmer and less stressed than other test subjects. Brain scans have shown that welcome, consensual touch releases endorphins in the brain that combat stress hormones which results in a sense of relaxation and peace. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine has carried out over 100 different studies which show that touch can also boost the immune system, lower symptoms of asthma, reduce blood pressure, relieve migraines, lower glucose levels, and halt or slow the progression of diseases such as cancer. A study in Sweden showed that 8 out of 10 people who suffer from fibromyalgia benefited from touch therapy. Researchers at Ohio State University found a link between psychological stress and the slowing down of the wound healing process. Subjects who were under stress were found to have lower levels of cytokines, a key element in your immune system, being delivered to the site of an injury. They also found that in participants that had been in an argument with a loved one, the healing process took 24 hours longer and in subjects who had marital problems, the wounds were 60 percent slower to heal taking up to two days longer than someone in a healthy relationship. A study in Indiana found that people are able to interpret the meaning behind touch as well. Dr Matthew Hertenstein conducted a study in which he instructed a person to attempt to convey a certain emotion to a stranger through touch. His findings show that, through touch alone, people can communicate several distinct emotions to one another. He found that emotions like anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude, and sympathy are displayed 48 percent more accurately through touch than they are from reading facial expressions and a whopping 83 percent more accurately than vocal intonation. An explanation as to why emotion can be felt so effectively through touch can be answered by Dr David J Linden from Johns Hopkins University. Linden explains that there are separate touch receptors in the body for texture, vibration, pressure, and itch. Dr. Håkan Olausson, professor of clinical neuroscience at Linköping University in Sweden is one of the leading touch researchers in the world. As part of a team of researchers, he helped discover special touch fibers called C-tactile afferent fibers. These fibers are in charge of registering and transmitting the emotional meaning of touch to the brain. These fibers respond optimally at around 89 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of a human hand. Dr Olausson explains that these receptors are especially sensitive to caresses but also respond to several other types of touch such as pressure. When the C-tactile fibers aren’t working properly, a gentle touch can feel aversive and may undermine attempts to form emotional connections. Normal C-tactile stimulation, when delivered through a nurturing touch, impacts the neural networks in our brains allowing us to see ourselves as separate from others with needs that are different. Without this ability, one may be unable to read emotional cues which could make it difficult to experience empathy. These receptors could be the key to understanding why children on the autism spectrum are so opposed to light touch. While most of us with regularly functioning C-tactile fibers see a gentle caress as soothing, a person on the autism spectrum is more likely to find it unpleasant. Romantic relationships often start out with extensive physical contact which tends to lead to a deeper connection and lasting relationship, but sometimes couples drift apart and the desire for physical touch fades. Relationship therapists often recommend touching your partner more in order to strengthen your romantic bond. “Touching is a key factor to a lasting relationship. To touch someone you love is to acknowledge their presence and to communicate your desire for them” say research doctors Charles and Elizabeth Schmitz, a married couple specializing in relationship studies. Affectionate touch can not only promote feelings of bonding and attachment, but it can contribute to overall health and well-being in long term relationships. When we touch or are being touched by those we are close to, our brain releases serotonin which is a mood booster. This explains why a simple touch from a loved one can help us feel less stressed and more relaxed. Studies have even found that when you hold hands with a romantic partner, your heartbeats and breathing synchronize. Touch does not always have to be romantic in order for you to benefit. Massage has been shown to increase athletic recovery, reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, and lower symptoms of depression and anxiety. A 2007 study from the University of South Carolina found that adults age 60 and older who received two massage therapy session per week experienced lower levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. There is a current study being conducted on the effects of massage therapy in men suffering from prostate cancer and women with ovarian cancer. Researchers are hoping to prove that massage, especially reiki, can slow the progression of these diseases. There is even a charity in London that offers free massage to hospice patients and their loved ones in order to help with grief and stress levels. It is also possible to suffer from a lack of touch. Dr Tiffany Field from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami has coined a phenomenon called “touch hunger.” When we experience a lack of physical contact, our fundamental human needs are left unmet. This is particularly true when it comes to relationships and our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This is why it is so important to show affection through touch. We simply cannot stay mentally fit without touch from others. The bottom line is that touch has the power to heal and calm us; especially when it is received from someone we have a deep, emotional connection with. Consensual touch that is given with positive intent such as that you would receive from a massage or a heartfelt hug has the power to heal both body and mind. Want to be happier, healthier, and less stressed? Hug your children, kiss your partner, cuddle your baby; touch is therapeutic even if it isn’t from a licensed massage therapist.

New Year, Best You! Symmetry Support

Brandy — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 10:17:00 GMT

It’s that time of year again; the much-anticipated new year where we all state our goals and make resolutions for the upcoming year. For many people, it is challenging to stick to a resolution. There are so many factors that can get in the way of you successfully fulfilling your 2020 resolution. Life gets busy, you have deadlines to meet, bills to pay, relationships to focus on, and all of these prior commitments you made before you thought of your resolution. What about the commitment to yourself? It is important to hold yourself accountable for your own self care and wellness goals because your health is your wealth. Every year the staff at Symmetry strives to make it as easy as possible for you to stick to your resolutions; especially when it comes to health and wellness. We have brought back our annual Symmetry Resolution deal to help you focus on your wellness goals. For the entire month of January, we invite you to pre-book appointments in order to receive a credit towards future sessions. That’s right, free money just for committing to your own wellness! What could be better? Book at least 3 sessions between February 1st and April 30th to receive a $25 credit when you complete all three sessions. Book 6 appointments and receive a $45 credit when all six sessions are complete! It doesn’t get any easier than that to take care of yourself. We are also proud to announce that we have a new addition to our wellness offerings. Symmetry now offers an infrared sauna at our LoHi location! This is different than the moist saunas you may be used to encountering at fitness or recreation centers. The infrared sauna is a dry heat that uses color therapy to help promote many healing benefits. Keep an eye out for special offers and our opening day on January 20th for this new self-care bonus. There are many benefits that come from an infrared sauna which is why we are so thrilled to be offering this new service. Infrared heat is the same type of heat that is produced by our own sun (of course, there is no danger of sunburn or skin cancer in our sauna). It is essential for the good health of all living creatures. Infrared heat penetrates your joints and muscle tissue allowing for better joint movement and circulation. This will also increase oxygen and blood flow to your tissues allowing for improved skin and relief to sore or injured muscles. Infrared saunas can also help with weight loss and detoxification as the heat helps to remove toxins and impurities from your cells as well as boosting your metabolism. This type of sauna can also benefit your immune system. The heat from the sauna will increase your internal body temperature simulating a fever which will help stave off bacteria and other infections. In fact, infrared saunas are recommended for those undergoing cancer treatment. The relaxing benefits of the infrared sauna can also lead to better sleep and healing as the gentle heat activates your parasympathetic nervous system. We recommend starting off your sauna sessions in 10 to 20 minute time allotments to allow your body to adjust to the gently increasing heat. The sauna will slowly work its way up to 130 degrees to provide maximum healing benefits. We will also be offering the benefit of our brand new, on-site shower so that you can head off to conquer the world after your healing sauna session. If you have questions or would like more information on our infrared sauna services, our friendly concierge team is always available to help. We hope that 2020 will provide you with everything you need to truly thrive throughout the year. Remember that we are always here to help you take charge of your health.