Relaxation

Categories: random, swansea

Date: 22 September 2006 14:45:22

I have just had the most amazing practical lecture on relaxation and massage. We were taught massage techniques for the shoulders and back, and massaged each other. I was quite impressed - the person I massaged claimed it was v.good and I had managed to 'release emtional tension'! We were also taken through a number of relaxation techniques, all demonstrated completely by us. Then this afternoon we were shown how to massage hands and feet with really nice Body Shop cream, and we massaged our partners hands (only one person in the class were willing to have their feet massaged!). Throughout the entire lesson there was v.chilled out, relaxing music being played softly in the background. By the end of it we were all v.relaxed, half asleep and practically floating!

Many of the class had arrived feeling stressed and upset about something or other, and by the end everyone felt refreshed and relaxed. I relaxed very quickly and easily, at the start of the day, which I think was thanks to a good friend. The person who massaged me, also said that my muscles weren't tense or knotted at all, which was really good. This past week I've been trying to make time to myself to relax, instead of constantly rushing around everywhere, and I think it has made a difference.

I think the session was mostly done for *our* sakes. Knowing how to relax or how to massage a friend/colleague/partner is important, when we will be going into such stressful jobs. I know in the hospital I worked in on my last placement, they provided free complementary therapies for all staff members. I think it was run once a month and you just had to go down and book. And I really do think its important for hospitals, companies, employers to do it. If they are going to make you stressed, by the nature of the job, then the least they can do is help you relax occasionally!