Countless hours in front of the computer, looming deadlines and working through lunch breaks can create serious stress and, in turn, wreak havoc on your immune system - and disposition.
You probably can't do much about your hectic office environment, but you can still get some sweet relief. All it takes to de-stress, feel good and stay healthy is some Eastern-inspired therapy and a few tweaks to your nine-to-five routine.
"What's amazing is that most people don't even realize how much tension they're carrying," says Caroline Lowe, an acupuncturist and certified shiatsu and Thai massage therapist at Satori Urban Wellness in Toronto. Acknowledging your stress load and taking steps to manage it is crucial, she says, because stress is a major cause of headaches, neck and shoulder pain, fatigue and irritability.
Satori Urban Wellness offers a range of treatments, including an Oriental Head and Face Massage ($50 for 30 minutes or $90 for 60 minutes) that specifically targets computer-caused tension and muscle aches. It's total stress-busting bliss!
In addition to having a professional work out the kinks, try Lowe's three self-care tips to keep you feeling good all day:
1. Take a walk. Even if you can't spare a whole hour for lunch, get outside for at least 10 minutes and take a brisk walk. The fresh air and physical activity will do wonders for your mood.
2. Breathe deeply.. While standing in line for an afternoon coffee, concentrate on taking a few long deep breaths. By slowing down your breathing you'll start to feel less agitated, almost instantly.
3. Eat!. Lowe recommends eating five small meals, spread throughout the day, to keep your blood sugar levels steady. This will prevent those midday headaches.
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