For many people, the holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year. You have to get the house cleaned up before the out-of-town guests arrive, hang the decorations, shop for presents, make time for charitable endeavors, prepare the holiday feast, and the list goes on.

“Instead of enjoying themselves, a lot of people get overwhelmed by it all because they don’t take the time to just unwind and relax,” says Susan Stevenson, director of the massage therapy program at Florida Metropolitan University’s (FMU) Orange Park, Fla., campus. Every year around this time, she finds herself having to constantly remind everyone in her office, and the students she teaches, to just slow down and take time for themselves.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, but if you’re constantly racing around trying to get things done, going from task to task and not taking time to just relax, you’re setting yourself up for trouble,” says Stevenson. “Stress, if left unchecked, can cause such physical problems as muscle dysfunction, spasms, headaches and cricks in the neck.”

People with those symptoms and more show up in droves at the school’s reduced cost massage clinics every holiday season, where students practice what they’ve learned on real-live clients. The clinics are held not only on the Orange Park campus, but at FMU’s North Orlando campus too where Kevin Ward teaches.

“An hour massage at a professional salon costs anywhere from $60 to $80 per hour, and more at a resort spa. FMU students charge just $10 per hour because we want to be accessible to everyone. You can’t beat that,” he says.

Numerous studies have been done on massage and they all show it’s of great value as a stress reliever. Not only does it relax tense muscles, it also calms the mind, has psychological benefits, promotes a feeling of general well being and releases natural endorphins that make you feel good.

But getting regular massages isn’t the only thing you should do to reduce stress in your life. “Everyone carries around stress and the holidays do nothing to relieve any of it, but the fact is that many illnesses are actually caused by or made worse by stress so you have to find ways to manage it,” says Debra Lynn Penman, D.C., massage therapy program chair at Bryman College in the City of Industry, Calif. In addition to getting regular massages, she recommends people also make sure they’re getting plenty of rest, keeping up with exercising and staying well hydrated.

“Another strategy that works is taking frequent breaks throughout the day,” adds Stevenson. “Put down your work for a while and take a walk around the building, stop by the break room to chat with coworkers, or leave the office and meet a friend for coffee.”

“And keep in mind, the holidays are supposed to be fun. It shouldn’t feel like a chore to get the shopping done or the meals made. Laugh and smile a lot. A good attitude goes a long way,” says Ward.

In order to obtain a certification in massage therapy, which is valid in all 50 states, students are required to complete 750 hours of class time and 30 hours of hands on clinic. They must also pass state and national board exams. The entire program takes 9 months for a full-time student to complete.

Florida Metropolitan University and Bryman College are part of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. one of the largest providers of post-secondary education and training in North America. For more formation about FMU’s Massage Therapy Program, log on to www.fmu.edu. Information about Bryman College’s program can be found at www.bryman-college.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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