April 2017
In This Issue:
Season of New Beginnings
Massage for Back Pain
April Made Fresh Facial
National Humor Month
BLMC & Community Events
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Spring Flowers and
what they mean
Soon the flowers will be in bloom,
each flower has a meaning behind
it. Here are a few you may see
blooming this spring and what they
represent
~Tulip: Declaration of love
~Daffodil: Eternal life,
joy & happiness
~Hydrangea: Gratitude
~Lilac: Confidence & youthful
innocence
~Daisy: Innocence & purity
~Cattail: Peacefulness &
prosperity
Spring...the season of New Beginnings
We are well into the “new” year when we say goodbye to the dark and cold
of winter and welcome the sun’s warmth of spring. While winter symbolically represents endings and closure-a natural period of dormancy, spring represents awakenings and birth-a period of growth.
As the natural transition of winter into spring occurs, we begin to give
thought to the earth coming to life again-we embrace the longer days and
warmer temperatures with a joy in our hearts and a ‘spring’ in our step. We
begin to experience a feeling of renewal...a fresh start. Which is why spring
cleaning our homes has become a tradition. A ritual of purging and airing
out of the things we no longer want or need to get a clean start into the new
season. .
Spring, then, is perhaps the perfect time to begin a cleaning of our lives tooa time to reset our lifestyle, get organized, rid ourselves of the mental
“clutter” we have accumulated, dust of old talents and hobbies or plant
seeds that will all us to blossom and grow.
If you are feeling you have fallen of the resolution bandwagon of the new
year, try revisiting those resolutions with a fresh new look in this season of
new beginnings.
Feel Better. Live Better.
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LAUGH
April is National Humor Month!
Founded in 1976 by author and humorist Larry Wilde, the original idea was to h increase
public awareness of the therapeutic and restorative values of laughter.
Studies show that laughter can actually improve our health. The truth is, laughter
changes us both physiologically and psychologically. Like exercise, it boosts the heart rate
and increases blood flow, so we breathe faster and bring more oxygen to the body’s tissues. Our facial muscles stretch and we actually burn calories when we’re laughing. Additionally, laughter improves our mood - you
can not feel sad or angry when you our laughing.
Here are a few ways laughter can help us
~ laughter Reduces Stress
~ laughter Can Reduce Pain
~ laughter Strengthens the Immune System
~ laughter Helps the Heart
~ laughter Relaxes the Whole Body
~ laughter Helps You Recharge
Like yawning, laughter is contagious-and
when you laugh, people are drawn to you so
you have the opportunity to have a positive
effect on those around you. And as if all this
wasn’t enough, laughter is free, there is a
never ending supply, it’s fat and calorie free
and you can have as much as you like.
Treat yourself to a good belly laugh everyday
this month and notice the difference in how
you feel. Nothing to laugh at? Don’t worry you
can fake it and still get all the benefits.
Benefits of Massage for Back Pain
From stress relief to skin rejuvenation, the benefits of massage are extensive.
When it comes to managing back pain, however, there are some specific benefits massage therapy can offer.
- Improves circulation. With increased circulation comes faster recovery time
for sore, overworked muscle tissues.
- Increases the release of endorphins. Endorphins are our natural painkillers
every time you have a massage, it increase the release of endorphins. This
can only help in managing pain.
- Facilitates relaxation. When you relax, your muscles relax, thereby calming
the pain.
- Improves movement. Range of motion and flexibility both get a boost with
massage.
When to See a Doctor
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), back-pain sufferers should
see a doctor if they have:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Pain, accompanied by weakness, fever, numbness in the legs, weight loss
not caused by diet, or trouble urinating.
- Pain after a fall or injury.
- Severe pain that does not improve with rest.
massagetherapy.com
Aprils Made Fresh Facial
Gelin’ with Melon
Fruit with benefits!
“Melons are some of the best natural sources of antioxidants,” says
Dawn Gallagher, author of Nature’s Beauty Secrets.
Melon is loaded with vitamins A&C and lycopene which help your body
fight free radicles that cause cell damage leading to the signs of aging
Benefits of Melon
~hydrates and rejuvenates the skin
~regeneration of skin
~anti-aging benefits
~treatment of eczema and other skin problems
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April 29 BLMC&SPA Rummage / Craft Sale
Come out and find great deals on lots of miscellaneous items. Halloween & Christmas Decorations, unique items, books, clothes,
craft items & more
Want to participate? You can rent a table for $10 for the day and set up your stuff.
Crafters welcome! Call 356-2221 to reserve a table
May 6 Pelvic Floor RefresHER!!
Ladies…this event is for you. Wynne Tezak P.T. will be teaching us how to strengthen the pelvic floor. This is a fun and interactive
class, and will include a Q & A session as well as a wine tasting from Thunder Bay Winery and hors’ d’oeuvres.
Class fee is $25
Space is limited.
Reservations and advanced payment required.
May 13 Kids DIY Mother’s Day Gift Workshop
Kids aged 5 – 10 can join us for an afternoon of making homemade spa items for their Moms.
Kids must be accompanied by an adult for the entire class.
Class fee $25/child and includes all supplies and craft materials.
Adults accompanying the child may participate as well with an additional $25 fee.
Advanced Payment required. Limited to 12 children.
Community Events
Sounds
Fun!
I’m
going!
WOW
Looking for places to go and things to do in our community?
Check out these sites.
http://www.visitalpena.com/events/
http://www.americantowns.com/mi/alpena/events
Better Living Massage Center & Spa
1017 US 23 North
Alpena, MI 49707
989-356-2221
betterlivingmassagecenterandspa.com
Email: [email protected]
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