RJ Kayser RJ Kayser

Social Bonding and Recovery: The Magic of Contrast Therapy at Flow Spa

Life is a series of challenges interspersed with moments of comfort.

At Flow Spa, we believe that embracing both sides of this spectrum can lead to holistic well-being and deeper connections with those around us.

Delving into the positive effects of contrast therapy, we explore its profound physical, emotional, and social benefits.

1. Embracing Challenges Together

The heart of Flow Spa's ethos lies in becoming Unstressable. Stepping into a hot sauna or plunging into icy water is not just about personal resilience; it's about sharing vulnerabilities and triumphs. These shared moments of stepping out of one’s comfort zone forge stronger bonds.

After all, as Douglas Malloch eloquently put it, "Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."

2. The Modern Battle with Inflammation

Today's fast-paced lifestyle, marked by rigorous training, erratic sleep patterns, and constant device exposure, has given rise to widespread inflammation. But here's the silver lining: contrast therapy offers a powerful anti-inflammatory respite.

Alternating between the sauna’s heat and a cold plunge works wonders for the body, effectively battling the inflammation that many of us unknowingly contend with.

3. Timing is Everything

While there are many benefits of contrast therapy, it's crucial to get the timing right. For those seeking muscle growth or strength gains, it's recommended to keep a gap between heavy training sessions and therapy.

However, athletes with consecutive events can use contrast therapy as a secret weapon for peak performance by rapidly resetting for the next battle. Say you’ve got a full weekend of games or multiple events to participate in on the same day or two days in a row. When you get in contrast therapy between those games, you’re immediately helping to reduce the inflammation and that’s going to help to keep your performance high.

4. Circulation, Cardiovascular Health, and Beyond

Contrast therapy does more than soothe sore muscles; it invigorates the circulatory system. The dance between heat and cold acts as a pump, enhancing blood flow, which is linked to reduced cardiovascular risks.

Further, cold exposure activates Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT), a special type of fat. Not only does this lead to potential weight loss, but with consistent exposure, our bodies can also increase BAT stores, boosting metabolism.

5. The Euphoria of Stepping Out

Both the sauna's warmth and the cold plunge’s chill introduce us to the body's incredible reward mechanisms. Embracing discomfort triggers the release of a chemical called dynorphin, signalling a need to retreat.

Yet, if we persist, our bodies reward this bravery with a euphoria-inducing surge of endorphins, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

It's a natural high, devoid of any jitters or anxiety.

6. Rest, Recovery, and Deeper Connections

Beyond the physical benefits, contrast therapy aids in inducing deep, restorative sleep. But perhaps its most profound gift is the deeper connections forged in its embrace. Sharing a session with a loved one isn't just about recovery; it's about creating lasting memories.

We invite you on a journey – one where challenges and comfort zones merge to offer holistic well-being. Whether you're looking to recover from an intense workout, build deeper connections, or simply experience a rush of euphoria, contrast therapy is your gateway to a rejuvenated self.

Book a contrast session for you and a friend to experience and discover the magic for yourself.

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RJ Kayser RJ Kayser

Conquer Workplace Burnout: Actionable Tips for Recovery and Prevention

Burnout and workplace stress now cost the global economy $1 Trillion in lost productivity each year.

In today's highly competitive and fast-paced work environment, workplace burnout has become an all-too-common challenge.

Companies are increasingly recognizing the detrimental effects of burnout on productivity, employee engagement, and overall well-being.

As professionals who've grappled with and studied this issue, we're here to share insights on the recovery and prevention of workplace burnout.

  1. Recognizing the Signs of Burnout:

    We must be vigilant and recognize the early signs of burnout in ourselves and our colleagues. Feelings of sluggishness, chronic fatigue, dwindling motivation, and a growing cynicism towards our tasks are common indicators. By acknowledging these signs early, we can intervene and prevent further progression.

  2. Prioritizing Self-Care:

    A core principle we've come to embrace is the essential nature of self-care in preventing burnout. This means integrating self-care activities into our daily routines, such as exercise, meditation, and quality time with loved ones.

    Creating a clear boundary between our professional and personal lives ensures a balanced and healthier existence.

    Ever since the pandemic popularized using Zoom and virtual meetings for work, we’ve been trapped in the fear of needing to always be present and ready for a work call, even when trying to disengage from work during off-hours actively. This low-grade anxiety and distracted busyness state is known as “the zone of crap” and it means that you never get any resolution or relief from the stress that you chronically face.

  3. Understanding Stress:

    It's essential for us to grasp the neural and chemical effects of burnout. This understanding equips us with both subjective and objective methods to measure stress, including tools like stress trackers and heart rate variability from apps and devices like Apple Watches and Whoop Bands. With this knowledge alerting us and informing us of our stress levels and trends, we can better assess our workload and seek support when necessary.

  4. Analyzing Stress Trends:

    By examining our stress trends throughout the week, month, and year, we can pinpoint peak periods of strain. Tracking and understanding these patterns enable us to devise strategies to mitigate stress during crucial times.

    The more that we can proactively plan and predict high-stress periods and how they’ll impact us, the better we can get at preventing burnout for good.

  5. Identifying Sources of Stress:

    We believe that understanding the root causes of our stress is paramount. By meticulously analyzing our daily tasks and interactions, we can identify the primary stressors.

    With this clarity, we can then develop solutions, whether through delegation, time management, or collaboration with peers.

    When you know what’s stressing you out the most you also are able to reframe your mindset on stress and practice focusing on what’s in your control.

    At the end of the day, all we have control over are our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and efforts. Letting go of clutching to control anything more than that will help you to take back power over a lot of what causes mental and emotional stress.

  6. Creating a Supportive Work Environment:

    Fostering a supportive work environment is pivotal in countering burnout.

    We advocate for open communication, team collaboration, and an emphasis on well-being.

    It's crucial to nurture a culture where everyone feels safe expressing concerns and seeking help. By working on this with your team and also practicing the tips in this article, you’ll better recognize the signs of burnout approaching not only in yourself but also in your coworkers.

  7. Practicing Mindfulness:

    We've seen firsthand the benefits of incorporating mindfulness practices into our routines.

    Simple acts like taking short breaks for breathing exercises or enjoying a mindful walk can significantly reduce stress levels and enhance focus.

    While meditation offers some seriously positive benefits for managing stress and preventing burnout, the skill of learning to refocus on the present moment doesn’t have to be accompanied by sitting still. For many people, movement works best as the way to get more mindful moments into our days.

  8. Setting Realistic Goals and Boundaries:

    Burnout often emerges from towering work expectations and a lack of clear boundaries. We encourage everyone to set achievable objectives, communicate their limits, and manage time effectively. By doing so, we can all work towards minimizing the risk of burnout.

Workplace burnout is a multifaceted challenge that impacts professionals from all walks of life.

By recognizing burnout's signs, emphasizing self-care, grasping the nuances of stress, analyzing our stress patterns, pinpointing stress sources, cultivating a supportive atmosphere, practicing mindfulness, and setting realistic goals, we can pave the way for a more balanced and fulfilling professional journey.

Remember, self-care isn't a luxury; it's a vital component of sustained career success and personal contentment.

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RJ Kayser RJ Kayser

The Tranquil Heart: Navigating Through Wellness and Cardiac Health with Mindfulness and Learning

Embarking on a journey toward sustained heart health can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. The proven potential of mindfulness and meditation to significantly enhance cardiac wellness offers a serene path forward. This blog post aims to illuminate the profound connection between the mind and heart, guiding you through the application of mindful practices to foster a healthier heart and a tranquil spirit.

Definition Of Mindfulness And Its Benefits

Mindfulness, grounded in ancient practices and celebrated worldwide for its transformative power, involves immersing oneself entirely in the present moment. It invites individuals to perceive, recognize, and accept their thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment or response, fostering a gentle awareness that can catalyze profound change.

This practice can bring numerous benefits, including reduced stress levels, improved focus and memory function, emotional stability, and enhanced self-awareness. These qualities lead to improved mental health and significantly contribute to physical well-being.

Research shows that regular mindfulness exercises like meditation activate the body’s "rest-and-digest" functions, which counteracts stress responses linked with heart diseases. Practicing mindfulness regularly can strengthen our resilience against cardiac ailments while enhancing overall wellness.

Importance Of Cardiac Health

The essence of a long and fulfilling life often resides in the vitality of our cardiac health. In its robust state, the heart proficiently circulates blood, delivering crucial oxygen and nutrients to every tissue throughout the body. Integrating regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management techniques, including meditation, into our daily lives can substantially enhance cardiac function and overall well-being.

Studies show that mindfulness-based programs cultivate mental tranquility, notably contributing to cardiac health. Moreover, practices like meditation activate the body's "rest-and-digest" functions, counteracting harmful "flight-or-fight" responses associated with elevated risks of heart disease.

Indeed, integrating wellness strategies into daily routines can contribute majorly towards protecting your heart and overall well-being.

Exploring the Heart-Healthy Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness, achieved through meditation and mental discipline, presents a pathway to enhanced heart health by mitigating stress hormones and the resultant inflammation often associated with heart disease. Let's explore the substantial influence of inner peace on our cardiac well-being.

Research Supporting The Link Between Mindfulness And Heart Health

Several scientific studies cement the connection between mindfulness and heart health. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, activate the body's "rest-and-digest" functions and counteract harmful "fight-or-flight" responses.

This response reduction results in a lower heart rate, improved blood pressure control, and better sleep - all of which contribute significantly to cardiac wellness.

A key research endeavor investigating this health-enhancing pairing involved using ECGs to track participant heart health changes over time. The findings confirmed that consistent meditation practice can indeed lead to improvements in overall cardiovascular well-being.

Another study showcased how incorporating mindfulness into stress management techniques helped individuals make healthier dietary choices, combatting hypertension risk factors.

Mind-body connections play an equally notable role in maintaining our cardiac vigor. Positive emotions lead to a tranquil mind and ripple effect on our bodily functions—ultimately enhancing our heart's longevity and efficiency.

Finally, let us embrace breath and body awareness as imperative components of any mindfulness program aimed at heart health optimization—a good example being 'heart coherence'. This technique uses synchronized breathing with heartbeat cycles, yielding prolonged calmness: an excellent ally for our hearts!

Harnessing knowledge about these links empowers us on our journeys toward better cardiac health through mindfulness practices!

How Meditation Can Help Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease

Meditation is a simple and effective tool in reducing the risk of heart disease. Through activating the body's "rest-and-digest" systems, meditation directly counteracts the harmful effects of stress on our bodies - one of them being an increased risk for heart disease.

Stress can cause an erratic heartbeat and hypertension, both precursors to cardiac problems. Meditation helps manage these factors by lowering your heart rate and promoting inner peace.

Additionally, regular practice of meditation improves sleep quality. Adequate sleep is critical for maintaining good cardiovascular health, allowing the body time to rest and repair itself.

Furthermore, mindfulness-based programs introduced during meditation concentrate the mind, leading to tranquility while balancing blood pressure levels simultaneously. These benefits together make meditation a powerful ally in combating heart diseases effectively.

The Emotional Wellness Way to Cardiac Health

Embarking on the Emotional Wellness Way to Cardiac Health involves cultivating a heart nurtured by love, acceptance, and compassion through mindful practices. These simple yet transformative steps promise a pathway toward significant enhancements in cardiac health and a holistic approach to well-being, intertwining the strength and vitality of a healthy heart with the tranquility of a mindful spirit.

Encouraging Love, Acceptance, And Compassion Through Mindfulness

Embracing mindfulness paves the way for feelings of love, acceptance, and compassion. These emotions are vital to improving overall wellness and cardiac health. Mindfulness practices such as meditation have been linked to strengthened emotional intelligence that encourages a deeper understanding of oneself, which can foster increased self-love.

This boost in positive emotions helps reduce stress levels - a significant factor affecting heart health. Additionally, fostering an environment of acceptance equips us with better-coping strategies during challenging situations while reducing undue pressure on the cardiovascular system.

Similarly, manifesting compassion towards ourselves and others allows for strong interpersonal connections which play an essential role in mental well-being – another contributor toward holistic and cardiac health improvement.

How To Implement Mindfulness Into A Wellness Program For A Healthier Heart

Starting a mindfulness journey is a path toward better cardiac health. Scheduling daily meditation can make a difference, even if it's just for five minutes. Simple techniques like focusing on the breath or scanning through your body parts are perfect ways to start.

Incorporating this into an existing wellness program means finding activities that allow for moments of calm and introspection. It could be designating the first few minutes of group workout sessions for quiet meditation or creating calming spaces where employees can practice their mindfulness exercises alone.

Remember to encourage consistency in practice as it promotes lasting changes in stress management and blood pressure control, which is essential for heart health improvement.

Exploring Qualitative Findings in Mindfulness and Cardiovascular Health

Intriguing studies shed light on the remarkable impact of mindfulness on cardiovascular health, illustrating how participants have adeptly woven mindful practices into their routines, paving the way toward a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Scientific studies reveal the fascinating mechanisms through which mindfulness can enhance heart health. One notable area of focus is how meditation activates our bodies' "rest-and-digest" functions.

This activation counters the stress-induced "flight-or-fight" response, which often spikes blood pressure and strains the heart. In addition to this calming reaction, consistent meditation practice can directly lower heart rate, boosting overall cardiac health over time.

Another line of research involves exploring emotional wellness as an indirect route toward improved cardiovascular health. Emotions such as love, acceptance, and compassion that are encouraged by mindfulness practices contribute significantly to a healthy heart.

These positive emotions foster inner peace and help manage stress levels in individuals.

Incorporating breath and body awareness into your routine is integral to attaining these benefits from mindfulness for healthier hearts. By grounding individuals in the current moment, these practices promote better emotional regulation - another crucial factor for good cardiac well-being.

Studies further suggest applying mindfulness techniques specifically to hypertension risk factors like stress management and dietary choices can reduce risks associated with high blood pressure – a leading cause of severe heart conditions.

Understanding how mindfulness helps bolster cardiac health involves delving deep into physiological responses evoked within us during mindful practices such as meditation and their impact on mental wellbeing, including emotion regulation under stress.

Participants from different walks of life participate in mindfulness practices, many using meditation to navigate their wellness journey and improve cardiac health. They carve out time each day for guided or individual meditations, focusing on deep breathing techniques that help lower heart rates and create a sense of calmness.

Some participants noted the importance of mental tranquility during meditation sessions, describing it as essential to effectively balance stress levels. They synchronize their breaths with heartbeat rhythms using heart coherence techniques, significantly reducing stress while promoting overall well-being.

A few have also shared how regular practice has led them to sleep better and manage high blood pressure efficiently—a testament to the powerful benefits of mindfulness for cardiac health.

Breath and Body Awareness as Key Mindfulness Practices for Heart Health

Explore the rejuvenating power of breath and body awareness, pivotal mindfulness practices that do more than just ground you in the present. These practices are significant pillars in enhancing heart health, inviting you into a realm where emotional regulation converges with cardiac wellness. Unraveling these elements is vital, guiding us toward tranquility and a robust heart.

How Breath And Body Awareness Help Ground Individuals In The Present Moment

Breath and body awareness play a crucial role in grounding individuals in the present moment. This hands-on approach to mindfulness involves tuning into physical sensations and breathing patterns as an anchor to remain focused on the here and now.

These pivotal strategies can swiftly divert attention away from stressors, easing anxiety levels. The heart responds positively, too! Regular engagement in these practices relaxes the heart rate, reduces hypertension risk, and boosts overall cardiovascular fitness.

Better control over emotions is also a direct outcome of this heightened pattern of self-awareness, which further improves cardiac health. By mindfully observing their breath and bodily responses without judgment, individuals cultivate a sense of inner calm that simultaneously nurtures both mental well-being and heart health.

Emotional Regulation And Its Impact On Heart Health

Emotional regulation plays a crucial role in maintaining heart health. It's the ability to manage and respond to an emotional experience in a socially acceptable manner. Stress is commonly recognized as a significant risk factor for heart disease; however, little attention is paid to how emotions directly influence cardiac well-being.

Studies have found that people with poor emotion regulation strategies, such as suppressing or avoiding their feelings, have higher inflammatory markers associated with heart disease, stronger cardiovascular responses to stress, and poorer recovery after stressful events.

Practicing mindfulness can train your brain to regulate these emotional responses effectively. By focusing our attention on the present moment without judging or trying to change it - we slowly learn not to react impulsively towards negative thoughts and feelings but instead acknowledge them calmly, thus reducing our stress response.

Further research has shown that this introduces psychological flexibility, enabling us to better cope with adversities and promoting resilience against life stresses.

Additionally, practicing mindfulness-based techniques such as meditation helps you control your moods and delivers physical benefits by lowering heart rate and blood pressure - key cardiac health components often negatively affected by chronic unresolved stress.

Furthermore, including these practices in your lifestyle aids in achieving tranquility at both mind-body levels, activating the body’s rest-digest functions and counteracting the flight-or-fight response, helping bring internal peace and overall well-being of individuals, linking back the importance of positive mental well-being, cardiac health.

Applying Mindfulness to Hypertension Risk Factors

Explore how incorporating mindfulness can effectively curb stress and aid in making healthier diet choices, thus mitigating the risk factors of hypertension. Discover more about the indispensable role of emotional regulation in reducing hypertension risk by delving deeper into this topic.

Using Mindfulness To Manage Stress And Make Healthier Dietary Choices

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for managing stress, a significant risk factor for heart disease. Engaging in mindfulness practices like meditation activates the body's "rest-and-digest" functions, effectively countering our inherent "fight-or-flight" response.

This calming effect can help lower high blood pressure and improve sleep quality, essential for maintaining heart health. Another benefit of cultivating mindfulness is its potential influence on dietary choices.

Being mindful means paying close attention to how we feel before, during, and after eating; it allows us to recognize hunger and fullness cues accurately. With time, this awareness leads us towards healthier eating habits, helping directly in maintaining optimal cardiac health.

Integrating small moments of mindfulness throughout your day is thus a successful strategy not only for stress management but also for promoting better nourishment for your body.

The Role Of Emotion Regulation In Reducing Hypertension Risk

Emotion regulation plays a pivotal role in lowering hypertension risk. This involves understanding and managing your emotional responses, particularly those that spike stress levels.

Stress can significantly affect blood pressure, leading to a higher risk of hypertension if not managed effectively. Individuals can better regulate their emotions and manage stress by using mindfulness practices such as meditation or focused breathing techniques.

For instance, anger or frustration may lead to temporary spikes in blood pressure. Continuous high-stress scenarios put our bodies under chronic strain, negatively affecting cardiac health.

Emotion regulation teaches us to react differently to these situations, thereby mitigating the harmful physical impacts on the body over time.

Regularly practicing emotion regulation with techniques such as mindfulness meditation aids in reducing symptoms of psychological distress like anxiety and depression, which are often linked with high blood pressure issues and other heart conditions.

Three Ways Meditation Can Help Your Heart, Body, and Mind

Embark on a journey through meditation, uncovering its multifaceted benefits that encompass heart health, physical vitality, and mental serenity. This section illuminates a holistic approach to cardiac care through three distinctive meditation practices, each offering a unique pathway to comprehensive wellness.

Meditation for Stress Reduction

Meditation, renowned for its efficacy in mitigating stress, not only nurtures overall well-being but also fortifies the heart. It engages the body's "rest-and-digest" mechanisms, mitigating the detrimental impacts of stress-induced "fight-or-flight" responses. Through consistent practice of techniques like mindfulness and deep breathing, individuals can not only dispel daily stress but also fortify their defenses against heart disease. Moreover, meditation's ability to modulate heart rate underscores its vital role in maintaining cardiac health, proving to be as indispensable as regular exercise and a nutritious diet.

Enhancing Physical and Mental Well-Being with Meditation

The profound benefits of meditation extend beyond stress reduction, serving as a potent ally for overall physical and mental health. While its role in fostering inner peace and mitigating stress is well-established, meditation also emerges as a significant proponent of heart health. Implementing regular meditation sessions not only bolsters cardiac wellness but also manages blood pressure and enhances sleep quality—integral components of overall health. Through accessible guided meditations focused on heart health, individuals at all experience levels can weave this mindful exercise into their wellness regimen, reaping the benefits for both heart and mind.

Cultivating Mindfulness for Heart and Mental Health

Mindfulness meditation, with its emphasis on anchoring oneself in the present moment, offers a tranquil haven that promotes mental and heart health concurrently. Techniques such as cardiac coherence breathing, which synchronizes breath with heartbeat, allow individuals to foster calmness and stability swiftly. Meanwhile, mindfulness practices instill a tranquility that enhances mental well-being and focus. Integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy with meditation further amplifies its benefits, transforming potential impediments of negative thought patterns into stepping stones toward optimal health. Meditation, in its essence, becomes more than a practice—it transforms into a journey toward holistic self-improvement, where every step taken is a stride toward enhanced cardiovascular and mental health.

Tips for Learning to Meditate

Navigating the peaceful path of meditation becomes simple with our straightforward guide, designed to cultivate a lifestyle that prioritizes cardiac health. Explore resources and flexible practices that ensure meditation is not only accessible but also a delightful experience for all.

Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Diving into meditation might seem overwhelming initially, but we have a step-by-step guide to ease you into it.

  1. Find a quiet and comfortable space: This can be anywhere where you won't be disturbed. You don't need an elaborate set-up — just somewhere peaceful.

  2. Set a time limit: Initially, aiming for 5-10 minutes is best. As your confidence grows, you can gradually extend this time.

  3. Maintain good posture: You can sit upright in a chair or on the floor, keeping your back straight and relaxed.

  4. Pay attention to your breath: Focus on inhaling and exhaling naturally without forcing any pattern.

  5. Allow thoughts to come and go: Do not suppress them but acknowledge their presence without judgment.

  6. Use guided meditations: Many free resources are available online for beginners to support your practice.

  7. Be patient with yourself: It's okay if you get distracted; remember that like anything worthwhile, it takes practice.

  8. Practice regularly: Aim for daily practice and make meditation part of your routine for maximum benefits.

Resources For Finding A Meditation Practice That Works For You

Diving into the world of meditation can be as exciting as beneficial. An abundance of resources are at your fingertips to aid your journey towards a healthier heart. Websites such as Headspace or The Mindfulness App offer a plethora of guided meditations suitable for beginners and veteran practitioners alike.

For more comprehensive guidance, you might consider enrolling in mindfulness-based programs. These are often structured around tranquility and concentration-specific exercises to bolster cardiac health.

Alternatively, local yoga studios frequently offer courses in breath-centered practices, aligning perfectly with the goals of cardiac coherence.

Educational books also serve as fantastic resources for understanding the depth and breadth of various forms of meditation. "The Tranquil Heart: Navigating Through Wellness And Cardiac Health With Mindfulness And Learning" offers an immersive approach to understanding how mindfulness practices strengthen heart health.

Online platforms like YouTube host an array of tutorials on basic relaxation techniques that greatly benefit those aiming to develop stress management skills—a vital aspect when it comes to countering high blood pressure or sleep disturbances—both integral elements of maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.

Finally, don't overlook the value community brings! Forums dedicated to sharing experiences about meditation's impact on heart disease garner insights from real people tackling similar challenges.

Empowering Your Heart Health Journey with Knowledge

Explore how monitoring your heart health can be empowering through ECGs, and learn how platforms like ECGEDU.com simplify understanding of ECG readings for better discussions about cardiovascular well-being.

How Ecgs can aid in tracking the effectiveness of wellness practices on heart health over time

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are vital in monitoring heart health and can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of implemented wellness practices. ECG testing involves non-invasive procedures that record electrical signals from your heart, providing key data on its rhythm and rate.

Regular ECG tests are valuable tools for detecting any abnormalities or changes over time, offering useful indicators of how wellness activities like meditation positively influence cardiac health.

For instance, consistent meditation positively affects resting heart rates, which would be evident in subsequent ECG readings. Therefore, through continuous tracking with ECGs, individuals get a clearer picture of their cardiovascular status while engaging in wellness routines to improve overall cardiac health.

The Mind-Heart Connection: Why Your Mindset Matters for Your Heart

Exploring the pivotal role of mindset in heart health, this section underscores the influential capacity of positive thinking on cardiac wellness. It elucidates the potentially detrimental impacts of toxic emotions on heart function. The intertwining relationship between our mental and cardiac states offers a compelling narrative on why nurturing both is essential for overall well-being.

The Power Of Positive Thinking On Heart Health

Positive thinking holds immense power in promoting a healthy heart. Researchers believe those who are optimistic are less prone to developing cardiovascular diseases.

This is largely due to the body's reaction to stress, which significantly impacts your heart health. When we harbor negative thoughts, our bodies respond by accelerating our heart rates and increasing blood pressure - factors linked with a greater risk of heart disease.

In contrast, positive thinkers handle stress more effectively. Their rest-and-digest system gets activated easily leading to slower heart rate and lower blood pressure levels, enriching their cardiac wellbeing.

A study even found that adopting an optimistic outlook can reduce the chance of a first-time heart attack or stroke by up to 50%. Henceforth, incorporating positivity in your everyday life is beneficial for mental peace and vital for maintaining a strong and thriving heart.

Meditation provides you with the tools needed to cultivate this much-needed optimism. Meditation ultimately leads us towards positive thought patterns by promoting calmness and tranquility while reducing stress levels.

Embracing mindfulness as part of your daily routine allows us access to wonderful benefits, from improved sleep routines to lowered high blood pressure incidents – all of which contribute substantially towards improving overall cardiac health.

Venturing further into this holistic approach towards health, nutrition plays an equally profound role in reinforcing cardiac wellness alongside optimism and meditation practices do.

Eating nutritious food regularly boosts heart function, leading you to complete physical well-being when combined with regular mindfulness techniques like deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation methods.

The Impact Of Toxic Emotions On Cardiac Health

Toxic emotions like anger, anxiety, and chronic stress can wreak havoc on your heart's health. They trigger the human body's fight-or-flight response, continuously pumping adrenaline into your system to prepare you for danger.

This repeated strain on your heart and arteries from this state of high alert essentially speeds up the aging process of your cardiovascular system.

Over time, prolonged exposure to these toxic emotions can lead to increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and inflammation in the circulatory system. These are all risk factors for developing heart disease or experiencing a cardiac event like a heart attack or stroke.

Furthermore, patients struggling with emotional health often neglect beneficial habits that improve cardiac health, such as regular exercise and balanced nutrition. Thus, addressing emotional wellness is crucial for preserving overall cardiovascular well-being.

Embracing Mindfulness for a Heart-Healthy Future

Embracing mindfulness throughout each day becomes not just a practice but a gentle, sustaining force for improved cardiac health. The simplicity found in moments of mindfulness—whether attentiveness to our breath, acknowledgment of the air caressing our skin, or the deliberate savoring of each bite during meals—becomes a cornerstone of mindful living. Incorporating these subtle yet powerful instances into our daily routines requires minimal time yet yields immeasurable benefits. Engaging fully in the present moment, even during the most mundane tasks like brushing our teeth or washing dishes, allows us to transform everyday activities into opportunities for reducing stress and invoking a calming focus essential for heart health. Thus, we craft a future where each heartbeat resonates with tranquility and assured wellness as mindfulness becomes an intrinsic part of our lives.

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Fall Float Giveaway - Enter Our Thanksgiveaway

Thanksgiving is not just a time for feasting and family; it's a time for reflection, gratitude, and giving back.

As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, we at Flow Spa want to express our deepest gratitude for your continued support and trust in us.

And to give thanks this season, we're giving away a serene float session to three lucky winners!

If you're looking to unwind or seeking a perfect escape to embrace the tranquillity of fall, this is your chance.

It’s super easy to join in!

How to Participate:

  1. Click on the link provided below to join the contest.

  2. Enter your best email address.

  3. Once registered, you'll receive an email detailing how you can earn additional contest entries to increase your odds of winning.

Let your friends and family in on this special giveaway to earn even more entries and increase your chances of winning.

Click to enter the giveaway.

Thank you for being a cherished part of our Flow Spa Friends. We look forward to continuing to serve you with the best relaxation experiences.

Warm wishes for a delightful Thanksgiving,

Your Friends at Flow Spa

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Floating Away from Chronic Pain: The Science and Sensation of Float Therapy

In an era where the grip of chronic pain tightens its hold on millions worldwide, the search for relief often leads individuals down a complex labyrinth of medications, therapies, and alternative treatments.

Yet, from this intricate web emerges a serene and seemingly simplistic solution: float therapy.

As we dive deeper, we'll explore the sensory experience of floating and the burgeoning body of scientific evidence that champions its benefits for those battling chronic pain.

The Floating Experience:

Step into a dimly lit room, where the centrepiece is a sleek, pod-like tank. As you open its lid, a warm embrace of salt-saturated water beckons. Immersing oneself, every external distraction—be it light, sound, or the persistent pull of gravity—fades into oblivion. This is the ethereal realm of float therapy. Here, individuals find solace in tanks filled to the brim with water infused with Epsom salts. The meticulously crafted environment minimizes sensory input, evoking descriptions ranging from "womb-like" to "transcendent." For many, it's a journey inward, a deep dive into tranquillity and meditation.

The Science Behind the Serenity:

  1. Chronic Pain and Stress Reduction:

    • Multiple studies underscore float therapy's efficacy in significantly diminishing chronic pain. Conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and muscle tension pain have all seen promising results.

    • The sensory isolation intrinsic to floating induces profound relaxation. This relaxation is not merely psychological; research indicates tangible reductions in stress hormones, which are intrinsically linked to exacerbations of chronic pain.

  2. Sleep and Recovery:

    • The spectre of insomnia, a frequent tormentor of those with chronic pain, may find its match in the float tank. Preliminary research posits that float therapy can enhance sleep quality, offering a potential natural antidote to restless nights.

    • The unparalleled relaxation achieved within the tank's confines aids in bodily recovery and rejuvenation—a boon for those wrestling with chronic ailments.

  3. Mental Health and Emotional Regulation:

    • The benefits of float therapy transcend the physical realm. Sessions within the tank have been correlated with improved mental well-being. The sensory deprivation can usher in states of consciousness akin to deep meditation or the hypnagogic state, fostering emotional processing.

    • For chronic pain sufferers, the battles are not solely physical. Many grapple with the shadows of anxiety, depression, and emotional turmoil. In this context, floating emerges as a sanctuary for emotional regulation, offering a respite for introspection and mental clarity.

Personal Testimonies:

Across the globe, testimonials pour in, painting a vivid picture of float therapy's transformative potential. Veterans haunted by PTSD, athletes in the throes of recovery, and everyday individuals find solace in the float tank. Chronic pain sufferers, in particular, recount experiences of unparalleled weightlessness. This sensation isn't confined to the physical realm; emotionally, many describe a lifting of burdens, with pain fading into the backdrop.

Flow Spa clients rave about their experience with relieving pain:

Dealing with a lot of pain and Fibromyalgia due to a MVA. I wanted to try this out as I heard was to help with ailments. Desperate for some relief, I had to try it, and it did not disappoint! Floating away with music, not a care in the world. It took me a little bit to relax at first, but once I did, I felt it! I was so relaxed I kept dozing off and waking myself up with a snore! LOL. I felt so refreshed and light
— Kerri C.

Once relegated to the fringes of wellness practices, float therapy is steadily carving a niche for itself in the therapeutic landscape. As scientists and researchers delve deeper into its myriad benefits, one sentiment resonates: for a growing number, relief, relaxation, and introspection are found in the serene embrace of a float tank.

Note: The journey to wellness is deeply personal. It's important to consult with healthcare professionals before embarking on new therapies or treatments.

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Float Tanks: A Promising Approach to Addressing Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a complex and challenging eating disorder characterized by distorted body image and severe weight loss.

Traditional treatments have primarily focused on nutritional rehabilitation and cognitive-behavioral therapies.

However, recent research has shed light on a novel approach that might offer additional therapeutic benefits: float tanks - known as floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) in clinical settings.

What is Floatation-REST?

Floatation-REST involves immersing an individual in a shallow pool filled with a dense saltwater solution. This environment is specially designed to minimize sensory input, including visual and auditory stimuli. Participants float effortlessly on their back, thanks to the high salt concentration, and can choose to be in total darkness or have soft ambient illumination.

How Can Float Tanks Help Those with Anorexia Nervosa?

A recent study delved deep into the potential benefits of floatation-REST for individuals with AN. Here's what they found:

  1. Reduction in Body Dissatisfaction: The primary outcome of the study was self-reported body dissatisfaction, measured using the Photographic Figure Rating Scale (PFRS). Participants who underwent floatation-REST sessions showed significant reductions in body dissatisfaction.

  2. Decrease in Anxiety Levels: AN often coexists with heightened anxiety levels. The study noted acute reductions in state anxiety among participants after their float sessions.

  3. Enhanced Interoceptive Awareness: One of the theories behind AN's distorted body image is the diminished perception of interoceptive body signals, which are signals from within the body, like hunger and fullness. By reducing external sensory input, floating heightens awareness of these interoceptive sensations, potentially helping individuals with AN reconnect with their body's signals.

Why is this Significant?

Anorexia Nervosa is not just about food. It's deeply intertwined with how individuals perceive their bodies. Traditional treatments, while effective, might not address all facets of the disorder. Floatation-REST, with its unique approach, offers a complementary method that addresses both the perceptual and emotional aspects of AN.

Moreover, the relaxing environment of the float tank can be a therapeutic experience in itself, offering individuals a break from the constant sensory overload of the modern world.

Float Tanks and Broader Anxiety Implications

While the study primarily focused on Anorexia Nervosa, the implications of float tanks extend to the broader spectrum of anxiety disorders. Here's how:

  1. Natural Anxiolytic Effect: The significant reduction in state anxiety observed among participants with AN suggests that floatation-REST has inherent anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties. This aligns with previous research on float tanks, which have shown promise in alleviating symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder.

  2. Sensory Deprivation and Mindfulness: The sensory-deprived environment of a float tank can be likened to certain mindfulness and meditation practices. By minimizing external distractions, individuals are better able to focus on their internal experiences, promoting a state of calm and present-moment awareness. This can be especially beneficial for those with anxiety, as it offers a respite from the incessant cycle of anxious thoughts.

  3. Enhanced Interoceptive Connection: Just as with AN, individuals with anxiety disorders often struggle with interoceptive awareness. They might misinterpret bodily sensations (like a racing heart) as signs of impending doom. By enhancing interoceptive connection, floating can help individuals better understand and regulate their bodily responses to anxiety.

  4. Safe Environment for Exposure: For those with heightened anxiety, even the thought of new experiences can be daunting. The controlled and safe environment of a float tank can serve as a gentle form of exposure therapy, allowing individuals to confront and gradually desensitize themselves to certain triggers.

A Holistic Approach to Mental Well-being

It's important to note that while floatation-REST shows promise in addressing anxiety symptoms, it should be viewed as a complementary therapy. Traditional treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication, remain crucial. However, as we continue to understand the multifaceted nature of anxiety and its interplay with other disorders like AN, holistic approaches like floatation-REST offer a fresh perspective and an additional tool in the therapeutic arsenal.

Floatation-REST, with its unique sensory-deprived environment, offers a promising complementary approach to traditional treatments for both Anorexia Nervosa and broader anxiety disorders. Its ability to reduce body dissatisfaction, alleviate anxiety symptoms, and enhance interoceptive awareness makes it a valuable tool in the holistic treatment of mental health disorders.

While it's not a standalone cure, the initial findings are encouraging. It underscores the importance of integrating diverse therapeutic methods to address the multifaceted nature of disorders like AN and anxiety. As we continue to explore and validate the benefits of such therapies, it's crucial to consult with healthcare professionals to ensure a comprehensive and tailored treatment plan. Float tanks, in their tranquil embrace, might just offer many individuals the respite and clarity they need on their journey to mental well-being.

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Exploring The Secrets of Centenarians: How to Live to 100 and Beyond

Longevity used to be something we didn't really think or talk much about. People lived as long as they were destined to. Genetics and luck were often credited or blamed for the duration and quality of one's life.

But today, we understand that there are ways to promote longevity that aren't as far-fetched as cryogenically freezing ourselves, hoping for a magical elixir upon awakening.

In the Netflix documentary series "How To Live To 100," we explore these 'Blue Zones'—regions around the world where a significantly higher percentage of people live to be centenarians. While many Blue Zones are found in tranquil and natural landscapes, such as the islands of the Mediterranean, others exist in densely populated cities.

So, Blue Zones encompass more than just our environment. Let's delve into the patterns we can adopt to live longer and with vitality.

Balance - Physical and Holistic

Balance isn't just about moderation and finding the middle path in life's choices. It also pertains to our physical stability. Health span, the quality of life you lead during those years, is as crucial as lifespan. No one desires to reach 100 if they spend their last decades bedridden.

A significant predictor of longevity and health span is balance. While falls in youth might be minor inconveniences, they can lead to severe health complications in older age. In Blue Zones, physical balance is integral to daily life—whether it's squatting to garden in Okinawa or riding horses to enjoy nature.

Move Naturally

Movement typically declines as we age. However, the active lifestyles of centenarians suggest the importance of consistent movement. Many Blue Zones are situated in areas conducive to walking or cycling, and residents often engage in communal activities like dancing or gardening.

Choosing a living environment that encourages natural movement can be beneficial. An ideal location should foster community activity, reducing health stressors and promoting well-being.

Eat Wisely

Michael Pollan aptly advises, "eat food, not too much. Mostly plants." Caloric restriction is common in Blue Zones, not due to intentional deprivation, but because of a preference for fresh, seasonal vegetables. With many people globally adopting diets rich in highly processed, high-calorie foods, the Blue Zones stand out with their nutrient-rich, balanced diets. They also incorporate complete proteins, ensuring muscle strength and overall health.

Connect

Social connections are a hallmark of Blue Zones. In our increasingly busy lives, we often sideline our social connections in favor of work, leading to a burgeoning loneliness epidemic. Social isolation not only affects mental health but also shortens lifespan.

Relationships and the impact we have on others will be the memories we cherish. Instead of focusing on materialistic pursuits, prioritize spending time with loved ones. Whether it's swimming around an island or joining a sports league, find ways to foster connections.

What's Your Outlook?

In Japan, there's a concept called 'Ikigai,' which translates to one's purpose or reason for living. Having a purpose, especially post-retirement, can be pivotal. Engaging in light, meaningful work can lead to longer, happier lives. It's about dedicating time to what truly matters, often just a few hours in the morning, leaving the rest of the day for leisure and family.

In essence, the secrets of the Blue Zones aren't about a scientific fountain of youth. They emphasize natural movement, nutrition, community connections, and a purposeful mental outlook.

So, what steps will you take to embrace the lessons from the Blue Zones in your life?

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What Would Life Be Like If You Were Unstressable?

Every day when we wake up, whether we are ready to or not, the world is going to challenge us in unexpected ways.

The school calls because your kid is skipping class.

Your partner isn’t making a change to help out more and you’ve had enough of it.

Your boss wants you to complete a report on a subject you know nothing about. And expects it done YESTERDAY.

We don’t have to dig very deep in the memory banks to think about pandemics and global instability shuttering our doors and keeping everyone closed away and isolated.

A cold sweat forms just thinking about it. We’ve been put through the wringer these last couple of years when tensions were already high enough.

There’s another way through for us though.

Imagine waking up tomorrow feeling UNSTRESSABLE.

This chaos isn’t going anywhere. That’s a fact of life.

But you are in the driver’s seat of how stress affects you.

And if you don’t feel that way yet, you are about to.

Becoming Unstressable is your path to freedom from stress ruling over your life.

It’s a program based on you leading the way because everyone has a different stress story to tell.

Over the next 6 weeks, we will be exploring stress management and recovery that is aligned with suiting your needs and unique stressors specifically.

We all recognize the feeling of dread when something is wrong, the pit in our stomach when life just becomes too stressful and all we want to do is hide under the blankets and never get out of bed.

But the first step forward begins with your desire to change. And as the realization has awakened within you, you can take action to put together a plan that will completely re-wire your experience of stress.

Together we will be exploring the many ways that stress pops up in your life and learning how to manage these different stressors more effectively.

You will take the ideas about your starting point and explore where you want to get to and what your Unstressable life looks like.

And through the work we do in the course and the plan you build along the way, you will have a roadmap by the end of the 6 weeks for how to work through anything that stands in your way and threatens to leave you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. For Life.

Ready to take that first step?

Click the button to learn more about Unstressable today.

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How Often Should You Float?

Tailoring Your Sessions for Maximum Benefit

As the popularity of float therapy continues to rise, one question remains at the forefront for many: How often should you float? At Flow Spa, we encounter this query frequently, and the answer isn't one-size-fits-all. It largely depends on your specific goals and reasons for floating.

Having seen thousands of clients come in for all the purposes and benefits of floating you can imagine, we have some recommended guidelines for maximizing the benefits you’re looking for.

The Multifaceted Benefits of Floating

If you've ever floated with us or delved into our articles, such as the "Top Eleven Benefits of Floating," you're already aware of the myriad health advantages that float therapy offers. From mental relaxation to physical rejuvenation, the benefits are vast and varied.

Tailoring Your Float Frequency

Let's break down the most common reasons people turn to float therapy and the recommended frequency based on our observations and feedback from our valued clients:

1. Pain Relief

For those seeking solace from chronic pain or discomfort, floating can be a game-changer.

Recommended Frequency: Every 1-2 weeks.

2. Stress and Anxiety Management

In our fast-paced world, finding moments of calm can be challenging. Float therapy offers a sanctuary for the mind.

Recommended Frequency: Every 2-4 weeks.

3. Boosting Creativity

Whether you're an artist, writer, or simply someone looking to think outside the box, floating can unlock doors to deeper creativity. While there are no strict guidelines, we've found a sweet spot for maintaining that creative connection.

Recommended Frequency: At least once per month.

Consider the entrepreneur on the brink of a groundbreaking launch. A float session can provide the clarity and focus needed to tackle challenges head-on. Similarly, a musician amidst a gruelling tour might find inspiration for a new song during a float.

4. Enhancing Sports Performance

For athletes, float therapy isn't just about relaxation; it's a tool for visualization, recovery, and peak performance.

Recommended Frequency: Weekly or every two weeks.

Especially during intense training periods or in the lead-up to competitions, athletes might benefit from even more frequent sessions. In the final week leading up to strongman competitions, I floated every single day when I was trying to recover and continue to mentally rehearse to perform my best.

This high frequency ensures optimal recovery and prevents overexertion, allowing athletes to push their boundaries safely.

Your Float Therapy Journey Awaits

In essence, the frequency of your float sessions should align with your personal goals and needs. Whether you're seeking physical relief, mental clarity, or a boost in creativity, float therapy can be tailored to serve you best. Always remember to listen to your body and mind, and adjust your float schedule accordingly.

At Flow Spa, we're here to guide and support you on your float therapy journey. Dive in, find your rhythm, and let the transformative power of floating elevate your well-being.

Ready to embark on your float journey? Book your next session with us and experience the magic of float therapy.

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5 Holistic Ways To Beat Fall Flu Season

It’s coming, as it always does.

With kids back to school and people indoors more, the fall cold season is almost upon us.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could not get sick this fall?

That’s what we’re here for today. Strategies that we can think about and take action on now so that we won’t get sick in a couple of weeks.

Start preventative care early

How often do we try to cram down extra Vitamin D capsules and slam green tea and echinacea when we feel a cold already coming on?

Vitamin D can help to cut down on sickness time but works even better if you start with a better vitamin D range in the first place.

Make sure that you’re getting in good doses of vitamin D through sun exposure before the summer wraps up, or supplementing with Vitamin D if you aren’t able to. Take 2,000 IUs per day as a maintenance dose and if you do feel a cold coming on, bump it up to 5,000-10,000 IUs for a couple of days until you see your systems subside.

Also, take advantage of the fresh summer produce and get in your daily dose of veggies. Aim for 800 g of raw produce or about 6 cups. This looks like 6 fistfuls of vegetables each day. Now be honest, are you hitting that every day? If not, a greens supplement like Genuine Health’s greens+ will keep you healthy.

Boost Your Physical Resilience

Colds primarily affect us when our physical health gets compromised when our immune system is working overdrive to fight off those foreign invaders of fall cold and flu bugs. This combined with the stressors of the busyness at work and school as the season changes from school break vacation mode runs us over until illness sets in. Physical resilience gets built by adding healthy doses of physical stress to your system while everything else is under control.

Do a hard workout once or twice a week, experience a cold tub or hot sauna session, or combine them together for contrast therapy. Pushing ourselves in this way when we can properly recover from it makes us stronger to handle other types of physical stressors like colds that push our immune system to the limit.

Minimum dose:

The minimum dose for effectively using the cold plunge is 11 minutes per week and an hour per week in the heat of the sauna.

A hard workout can push you in as little as a couple of minutes if you’re doing a Tabata interval. To really boost your resilience with workouts, 30 minutes to an hour is more likely going to be most beneficial to work on now.

Eat Fermented Foods

Eat Fermented Foods: Incorporating fermented foods into your diet can have numerous health benefits, including boosting your immune system. Fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha are rich in probiotics, which promote a healthy gut microbiome. A balanced gut microbiome is closely linked to a strong immune system. By consuming fermented foods regularly, you can support your body's defense against pathogens and reduce the risk of falling sick during the fall season. Whether you choose to add a spoonful of sauerkraut to your salad or enjoy a glass of kombucha with your meals, every bit of fermented food contributes to enhancing your overall well-being.

Minimum Dose: Even a small amount of fermented foods added to your diet can make a difference. If you're not a fan of fermented foods, you can consider taking a daily probiotic supplement as an alternative. These supplements provide a concentrated dose of beneficial bacteria that can support your immune system. Incorporating fermented foods or probiotic supplements into your daily routine can help strengthen your body's natural defenses and keep you healthy throughout the fall season.

Practice Breathwork

Breath work has become a popular way to increase resilience and physical health thanks to people like Wim Hof who have shown the power that breathing can have. Breath work may just be a fancy way to talk about breathing but the distinction is important because we typically breathe shallow and high into the chest, causing a higher state of stress and limiting the ability to relax.

Breathwork can be an effective practice for reducing stress and improving physical health. It involves specific breathing patterns that can help induce a state of relaxation and calmness. By focusing on deep, intentional breaths, you can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for promoting relaxation and reducing stress. One popular breathwork technique is the Wim Hof Method, which involves taking deep breaths followed by a full exhale. This practice can help regulate your breathing, reduce stress levels, and improve your overall well-being. Incorporating breathwork into your daily routine, even for just a few minutes, can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health.

To practice breathwork, you can start by finding a quiet and comfortable space. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling fully through your mouth. Then, try the physiological sigh protocol by breathing in fully, sipping in a little bit more air, and exhaling slowly. Repeat this for at least one minute, focusing on the rhythm and depth of your breaths. You can also explore other breathwork techniques and find the ones that work best for you. Remember, even a short session of breathwork can be beneficial, so don't hesitate to incorporate this practice into your daily routine to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.

Minimum Dose: 1 minute. That’s right. Do four breaths right now following Andrew Huberman’s physiological sigh protocol of breathing in fully, sipping in a little bit more air, and then fully exhaling slowly.

Forest Bathing

The Japanese term shinrin-yoku meaning forest bathing originated when researchers began to notice the negative effects that being cooped up 24/7 in densely populated cities like Tokyo was having on the mood and well-being of people.

Being in nature, bathing yourself in the surroundings and taking it all in has such a pronounced effect on improving mood and reducing stress that it’s become an accepted remedy for ailments. Because getting into nature is beneficial for reducing physical and mental stress, it’s also great for keeping your immune system healthy. Be sure to get lots of time in nature now that the weather is still great but also consider the minimum dose throughout the winter months too.

Minimum Dose: 20 minutes, 3 times per week.

This is enough to make a difference when we’re stuck inside more, spreading germs with friends, family, and coworkers.

Remember, these strategies are not foolproof but can help reduce the risk of getting sick. If you experience any concerning symptoms or have specific health concerns, it's always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.

Stay healthy and enjoy the fall season!

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The Flow Spa Summer Giveaway

Summer is the perfect season for relaxation, and at Flow Spa, we're making your chill-out time even more special! We are thrilled to announce the Flow Spa Summer Giveaway - your chance to win the ultimate relaxation experience with 3 x 60-minute Float Sessions.

What's Up for Grabs?

Float therapy is renowned for its mental and physical benefits, and we're offering you a chance to enjoy these at no cost.

The grand prize is 3 Float Sessions - a $237 value - for free!

How Do You Enter?

Entering the Flow Spa Summer Giveaway is as easy as a summer breeze. Follow these steps to participate and boost your chances of winning:

  1. Confirm your participation: Register for the giveaway either through the link in our confirmation email or by visiting the giveaway page on our website. This earns you your first entry.

  2. Refer and earn: For each new person you refer to the giveaway using your Secret URL link, you earn three additional entries.

  3. Stay social: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram from the giveaway page for an extra entry.

Sweeten the Deal with Referral Prizes

Our giveaway doesn't stop at the grand prize! Refer your friends to our giveaway and you can earn some exciting rewards:

  • 1 referral = A coupon for 30% off your next visit.

  • 3 referrals = 40% off services at Flow Spa on your next visit.

  • 5 referrals = A coupon for a whopping 50% off your next visit.

The best part? These referral prizes stack, so referring five friends means you will earn all three rewards!

Time's Ticking

The Flow Spa Summer Giveaway ends on August 9th at 11:59 pm EST, so there's no time to waste! Get sharing, referring, and following to maximize your chances. The Grand Prize and referral prizes will be distributed on August 10th.

The Flow Spa Summer Giveaway is not just an opportunity to win some fantastic float sessions, but it's also a chance to share the relaxation experience with friends and family. So go ahead and start sharing your secret URL link right away. Remember, the more entries you have, the better your chances of winning!

Your Secret URL can be found in your confirmation email or on the giveaway page once you have entered the giveaway. You can track your total number of entries from the giveaway page.

Happy summer, and may the best floater win!

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Glow, Detox, and Relax: Your Summer Guide to Infrared Sauna

As the summer sun blazes, we all look forward to the joys that this season brings — barbecues, beach trips, and long, lazy afternoons.

But with all the fun, summer can also bring challenges like overindulgence, skin issues, and the struggle to maintain our health and fitness goals.

At Flow Spa, we have a secret weapon to help you navigate these challenges and truly savour your summer: our infrared sauna.

Here are 8 ways to get more out of the summer season with sauna.

Enhanced Detoxification

Picture this: you've just spent a weekend enjoying a family barbecue, complete with all the fixings. You've indulged a little more than you intended, and you're feeling it. Enter the infrared sauna at Flow Spa. As you sit back and let the gentle heat envelop you, your body begins a process of deep detoxification. The infrared heat penetrates your skin, reaching into fat cells and releasing stored toxins. You emerge from the session feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to dive back into your summer activities with renewed energy.

Glowing Skin

Imagine you're preparing for a day at the beach. You want your skin to look its best, but the summer sun and sweat have other plans, leading to clogged pores and potential breakouts. Regular sessions in our infrared sauna can be your secret weapon for radiant skin. The increased sweating helps clear out your pores, leading to improved skin health and a natural glow that rivals the summer sun.

Weight Management

It's a common summer scene: you're working towards your body goals, but the temptation of summer treats and the relaxation of vacation can make it challenging. Our infrared sauna can support your efforts. As you relax in the heat, your body is hard at work, increasing your metabolic rate and burning calories. It's a passive way to supplement your active routines, helping you stay on track with your summer body goals.

Relaxation and Stress Relief

Summer is a time of fun, but it can also be a time of chaos with vacations, kids out of school, and a whirlwind of activities. Amidst this, the infrared sauna at Flow Spa stands as a peaceful oasis. As you step into the sauna and the door closes behind you, the outside world fades away. The gentle heat soothes your muscles, the quiet calms your mind, and for a few precious moments, you're on a mini-vacation from your summer vacation.

Muscle and Joint Relief

You've just returned from a vigorous hike, your muscles are sore, and your joints are aching. An infrared sauna session can be the perfect remedy. The deep-penetrating heat soothes your sore muscles and joints, promoting faster recovery and helping you stay active throughout the summer.

Improved Sleep

Despite the long summer days, a good night's sleep is still essential. After a relaxing session in our infrared sauna, you'll find that sleep comes more easily. The heat from the sauna helps to relax your body, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep, even when the sun rises early.

Heat Acclimation

If you're planning a summer full of outdoor activities or a vacation to a hotter climate, regular sessions in our infrared sauna can help your body acclimate to the heat. It's like a training program for your body, helping you stay comfortable and enjoy your summer activities to the fullest.

Boosted Immune System

Summer is a time for fun, not for being sidelined by a cold. Regular infrared sauna use can help boost your immune system, keeping you healthy and ready to seize every summer day.

Remember, at Flow Spa, we always emphasize the importance of staying hydrated, especially when using the sauna in the summer months. Always drink plenty of water before and after your sauna session to maintain optimal hydration levels. This will help you get the most out of your sauna session and keep you feeling great all summer long.

So, as you continue to enjoy the most of this summer, consider making the infrared sauna at Flow Spa a part of your routine. It's more than just a way to beat the heat — it's a tool to enhance your summer, helping you look and feel your best while you make the most of every sun-soaked moment.

Wishing you a radiant summer,

The Flow Spa Team

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Making the Most of Your Summer: Our Top Tips from Flow Spa

Summer is here, and it's the perfect time to embrace the warmth, the longer days, and the endless opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation.

At Flow Spa, we believe that summer is not just a season, but a state of mind.

It's a time to slow down, to reconnect with nature, and to take care of our bodies and minds.

Here are some tips on how to make the most of this beautiful season, including how our unique services, like float therapy, can enhance your summer experience.

1. Embrace Outdoor Activities

Summer is the best time to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it's going for a hike, taking a bike ride, or simply enjoying a picnic in the park, make sure to soak up the sun (with proper sun protection, of course!). These activities not only provide a great workout but also help to reduce stress and improve mood.

2. Stay Hydrated

With the rising temperatures, it's crucial to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and don't forget to replenish your electrolytes if you're engaging in physical activities. Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content, like watermelon and cucumbers, can also help keep you hydrated.

3. Practice Mindfulness

Summer is a great time to start or deepen a mindfulness practice. Take a few minutes each day to meditate or simply sit quietly, focusing on your breath. This can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity.

4. Protect Your Skin

Summer means more time spent outdoors, and while the sunshine can feel great, it's important to protect your skin. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 before heading outside, even on cloudy days. Don't forget to reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can provide additional protection. Remember, taking care of your skin is an essential part of overall wellness.

5. Get Plenty of Rest

While it's tempting to fill every summer day with activities, it's essential to balance this with adequate rest. Good sleep is crucial for recovery and maintaining a healthy immune system.

6. Experience Float Therapy

We're big advocates of float therapy, especially during the summer months. Floating in a sensory deprivation tank is like hitting the reset button on your body and mind. The buoyancy of the saltwater allows your body to float effortlessly, relieving physical tension and promoting deep relaxation. It's an excellent way to recover from the physical activities of summer, treat chronic pain, and reduce stress.

At Flow Spa, we're here to help you make the most of your summer. Whether you're looking to relax with a massage, detoxify in our infrared sauna, or experience the profound relaxation of float therapy, we're here to support your wellness journey.

Remember, summer is a season of abundance and growth.

So, take this time to nurture yourself, try new experiences, and find your flow.

Wishing you a summer full of relaxation and rejuvenation!

The Flow Spa Team

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Is Floating Still Good If You're Already Very Parasympathetic?

Everyone has a natural tendency towards action or inaction in how they spend the majority of their time. You probably know someone who wakes up at the crack of dawn and is go, go, go until the minute their head hits the pillow at night. And on the flip side, there are the people in your life that move slower, talk slower, and embrace the pacing of themselves. If you're more of the former, these individually probably drive you crazy at times for not being fast enough.

This comes down to dominance in sympathetic or parasympathetic strands of the nervous system. We recognize that people who run through their days need to take the time to slow down and stop occasionally to avoid the risk of burning out but what about the parasympathetic ones? Are parasympathetic-dominant activities like float therapy beneficial for them or is there such a thing as too much of a good thing?

It first helps to understand more about these underlying systems and tendencies.

What do parasympathetic and sympathetic really mean?

The central nervous system (CNS) including our brain and spinal cord runs the whole show in our body. It's like the conductor of the train engine of our body.

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are like control knobs that are dialled in from our conductor and are referred to together as the autonomic nervous system (ANS) because it was originally believed that we had no conscious control over our parasympathetic and sympathetic systems. This has been shown to not be accurate as research including that done on Wim Hof and groups of individuals instructed by him have demonstrated that they can control parts of the autonomic nervous system through breathwork.

Because of situations like this, there has been a recent scientific uprising on whether it's a misnomer to refer to these branches of the ANS as sympathetic and parasympathetic. The other reason is that the system exists on a continuum so we shouldn't think of it as all one way or the other. That's why the analogy of dials that the conductor has control over works well.

So if the idea of parasympathetic and sympathetic is not the ideal framing, what is?

The common terms we used to describe these systems are "rest and digest" for parasympathetic and "fight or flight" for sympathetic. These rhyming names can help to illustrate what's actually happening when each of these systems is engaged in a healthy and functional manner.

What we don't see, however, is what happens with the dysfunctional firing of the systems which we will turn to next.

Adaptive and Maladaptive ANS Responses

There is not only the consideration of which branch of the ANS is predominantly firing but whether it is doing so in an adaptive manner.

Many of us think of fight or flight as a bad thing, but it is an essential part of our survival and evolution. When our body goes into a heightened sympathetic state, it's because of a perceived threat. Perception is important to point out because so many of us react to things in the modern day that aren't directly threatening us which can lead to conditions of chronic stress.

Chronic stress is one of the maladaptive responses of the autonomic nervous system in which our fight or flight and rest and digest systems are no longer working together in a productive fashion.

But we can also see maladaptive responses due to natural tendencies, like being sympathetic dominant or parasympathetic dominant without practicing becoming aware of our tendencies and working to resolve our maladaptive responses.

things like numbing out for example. Many of us have reached our limits by feeling stressed and overwhelmed and have resorted to moving past fight or flight because we are depleted and into freezing or fawning. We submit to our stressors either because of the natural tendency to be more inclined to the slower approach or because of being way over our limits and frozen.

When to include more parasympathetic if you're already dominant in that state?

If you’re already in an immobile state, should you still be practicing yoga nidra, float therapy, and other techniques for increasing parasympathetic activity?

As humans, we’re meant to move and be active, so you will benefit from more active and engaging practices in your leisure time but there’s also no detriment to doing deep health-promoting treatments like floating.

There’s a vast difference between finding stillness deliberately in a healthful way and the numbing out that leads to our body wanting to be parasympathetic-dominant.

In these still activities, like floating, massages, long stretches, and restful yoga, we can explore our deeper health and build self-awareness to what’s the root cause of our maladaptive coping mechanisms.

When coping with stress, it's important to consider individual tendencies and the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity in the autonomic nervous system. While some individuals may already lean towards a parasympathetic-dominant state, it doesn't mean that practices aimed at increasing parasympathetic activity, such as yoga nidra and float therapy, are unnecessary.

Even if you're naturally more inclined towards a slower pace and tend to embrace stillness, incorporating active and engaging practices into your leisure time can still be beneficial. Movement and physical activity are essential for overall health and well-being. However, engaging in deep health-promoting treatments like floating and massages can provide additional benefits.

Being Aware Of What You Need Most

These still activities allow us to explore our deeper health and build self-awareness. They provide an opportunity to delve into the root causes of our maladaptive coping mechanisms. By intentionally finding stillness and engaging in restful practices, we can better understand and address the underlying factors contributing to stress.

It's important to note that there's a distinction between deliberately seeking stillness in a healthful way and engaging in numbing behaviours that may lead to an excessive parasympathetic response. Numbing out or submitting to stressors without addressing them can hinder our ability to effectively cope with stress. By actively participating in practices that promote relaxation and self-reflection, we can develop healthier coping mechanisms and achieve a better balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Even if you're already parasympathetic-dominant, incorporating activities that promote relaxation and self-awareness can be beneficial for stress management. These practices allow for a deeper exploration of our well-being and can help address underlying issues contributing to maladaptive coping mechanisms.

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What's The Best Form Of Cryotherapy?

Does the idea of cold water get you shivering from the thought alone?

Despite the challenge and initial shock, many people are still braving the cold for the benefits that it provides, including reducing inflammation, improving mood and mental health, and even supporting weight loss.

But as you dive into the research on the different forms of cold exposure, also known as cryotherapy, you’ll find that there’s more than one way to face your fears.

You can turn your shower to cold and step under those icy droplets, plunge your whole body into an ice bath, or enter a cryotherapy chamber that drops the air temperature with liquid nitrogen.

What’s the best way to brave the cold?

Here are a few findings from research as well as experiences from our Flow Spa clients on what they prefer.

Rain Down On Me

Many people will start on their cold water journey by taking cold showers. It’s accessible and realistic for most of us to do, at least part of the year.

Online communities for cold water afficionados often kickoff new recruits with one month cold shower challenge. Mentally this is very challenging because you have to force yourself to turn that tap to cold and stay under the icy needle points of water as they land on you. This in and of itself is a great and powerful usage of cold water. It helps to build self-confidence and comfort in facing other challenges in your life.

But taking a cold shower isn’t likely going to work as well for the other benefits of cold water immersion as you’re not getting the whole body anti-inflammatory effect of submerging yourself up to the shoulders. So it doesn’t seem as effective for improving recovery.

Depending on where you live, cold showers are also only available for about half the year because as the water supply temperature warms up in the spring and summer, the water coming out of the tap can be above 60 F and no longer very effective for deliberate cold exposure.

Do You Get 10X The Results with a Cryotherapy Chamber?

Cryotherapy chambers are marketed as being more effective than cold water immersion but are they really?

At more than 10 times the cost of a cold water immersion set up, it isn’t feasible even upon first glance to think that a cryochamber could be that much better. And research leans far in favour of cold water immersion being superior. Over 90% of the studies done on the effects of cryotherapy have looked at cold water at the mechanism for cold exposure.

Anecdotally, from our clients who have tried both cryotherapy chambers as well as ice baths, they have found the cold water to feel much more challenging, which increases the mental toughness boost from the experience, but also have felt better from their recovery from training after the cold water.

So what makes cold water that much better?

Cold Water Immersion

All of the options we’ve discussed are cold, so what’s the biggest difference that has cold water immersion reigning supreme?

It’s likely due to the better conduction of heat away from the body when immersed in cold water. The shower doesn’t cut it because you can’t get your whole body covered in cold water enough and while the air in the cryochambers gets much colder, our body creates a warm air vapour barrier against the cold air that mitigates the effect.

So having heat drawn from our body all in one encompassing effect in the cold water helps to create that anti-inflammatory effect and the challenge is much higher mentally than the other options because our body sends out the signal that we must get out. This is what creates the spike in dopamine and norepinephrine in cold water that promotes a boost in mood and mental health as well.

But because it is so cold and challenging, it can be hard to get started in doing full cold plunges, which is why there’s one more level that’s our own secret weapon to the best and most beneficial cryo experience.

Our Pick of Plunge - Contrast Both Hot and Cold Tubs

Contrast thearpy involves alternating between extremes in heat and cold. With our setup, we like to use the infrared sauna to relax into the experience and spend some time warming up before entering into the extremes. Then alternating between hot tub and cold tub will allow you to brave the cold without as much of a problem since you can immediately transfer back into the hot tub when you need to. This allows you to spend more total time in the cold than you would otherwise, extending the benefits of the anti-inflammatory effect.

The contrast also acts like an additional pump for circulation to enhance blood flow and recovery by dilating the blood vessels in the heat and constricting in the cold.

It provides the right amount of challenge for the mental toughness benefits of the cold plunge while also generating a massive boost in feel good hormones because you accomplished something tough and pushed your body through the extremes.

Book a session for yourself or challenge a friend to come in and feel the difference with you!

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What Are The Benefits of Infrared Sauna?

Using an infrared sauna has many benefits, including improved circulation, reduced stress, and a deeper, more restful sleep. When the weather is cold and you want to stay cozy and warm, there’s nothing better than relaxing with the penetrating heat of an infrared sauna. And there are a lot more benefits that come from using the sauna that you might not know about.

Improving Circulation

Using an infrared sauna can be incredibly beneficial for your health and well-being! Its ability to increase circulation helps reduce pain, inflammation, and fatigue and improves overall skin health by delivering oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. On top of this, regular infrared sauna use can help clear toxins from the body and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines for a glowing complexion. Plus, infrared heat can help to boost your immune system - keeping you feeling strong and healthy.

Reduces Stress

Using an infrared sauna can provide numerous benefits and help reduce stress and anxiety levels. This is because infrared saunas can increase dopamine levels in the body, which is the chemical associated with mood regulation.

In addition to this, infrared saunas can help the body to stimulate endorphins, which are the hormones responsible for the feeling of happiness and well-being.

Regular use of an infrared sauna can also promote relaxation of the muscles and joints, helping to reduce tension and stress in the body Incorporating an infrared sauna into a regular wellness routine can have a positive impact on physical and mental health.

Sleep Quality

Using an infrared sauna can help improve the quality of sleep by providing a gentle, relaxing heat. The sauna's warmth helps relax tight muscles, reduce tension and stress, and can even help relieve common aches and pains. By promoting the body to relax, an infrared sauna can bring a deeper, more restful sleep, allowing the body to restore and rejuvenate itself. One of the factors that signal our bodies to fall asleep fast is a drop in body temperature which can be enhanced by relaxing in a sauna in the evening to trigger deeper sleep. With regular use, an infrared sauna can help improve the quality of sleep and help provide a more restful night's sleep.

Experience The Benefits For Yourself

Using an infrared sauna has many benefits, such as improved circulation, reduced stress, and a deeper, more restful sleep. At Flow Spa, we offer sessions for individuals and 2-person sauna sessions, as well as packages for anyone looking to make sauna a regular part of their wellness routine.

You can find out more about the options we have available here:

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How To Do An Annual Review

As the last few days of the year trickle into view, it’s a time when we naturally think about what has gone on in the past year and review the time that we have spent. Has it been used wisely or are there things you wish you'd done differently?

 

Why Do A Year-End Review?


We are all driven by a sense of progress. If you’re anything like me, the end of the year becomes a time when you get the urge to reflect back on the year that has passed and look towards what the future holds in the New Year. Sure, we can just as readily set new goals on December 1 as we can on January 1, but this crossing of the threshold as we start a new year holds archetypal significance for us and the journey we follow throughout our life.

 To make sense of the bigger picture of our life story, we need to delineate chapters which is why the year-end review can help with this process.

What gets included in a year-end review is up to you based on your priorities. But if you're trying to get started with doing an annual review for the first time or find something better that works for you, here are some recommended starting points that I find most useful. 

Deep Health Review


While there are many ways to evaluate our life, one of the most impactful to me is to look through the deep health lens to get a clear picture of what our overall health and the different aspects looked like and how they have changed in the past year.
Because our health is multi-faceted, it really makes a difference to look at a deep health framework to understand what is going well in your life and what needs more work and focus to get back on track.
Doing your Deep Health review with the Deep Heath Questionnaire doesn’t just have to be done once per year. It’s also helpful to use whenever you face changes or set new goals during the year.

Complete a deep health questionnaire and compare it to past scores. Click this link to download a copy.

 

What Areas Make Up Your Life?


If you listen to any self-help guru out there, they will have their own framework for the different dimensions of your life. Like the Deep Health complete picture, these are the slices of the pie of life that we consider when evaluating the current moment of our life and the time frame we have been through.
Some systems will give you 10 sections, others 6, or maybe as little as 4. However you want to evaluate your experiences, I think somewhere between 6-8 is ideal so that you can get a full picture of things like work satisfaction, relationships, finances, and experiences, as well as deep health components like spiritual health and mental health.
Consider where you're currently at with these slices of your life. Looking at where you’ve come from over the past year will help you to appreciate the progress that you have made.

 

Review Your Calendar and Notes


If you don’t keep track of at least some of the ways you spend your time in your calendar or note-taking in a journal, now is a good time to start.
By having the thoughts and experiences of your life captured in the moment, you are keeping a much more permanent record of the stories you are creating. Anytime I feel like I haven’t had enough fun experiences or accomplished enough for myself, I scroll back through my calendar and the notes I’ve captured and can see more clearly the progress there. And so it helps you to look back through all these moments to get that overview of your year as you review it. 

  • What were the highlight moments or experiences?

  • What were some of the best things you accomplished?

  • What challenges did you face?

 

All of these questions that you can review when looking back through your notes will help you to hold yourself accountable when you think about what the next year looks like for you.

More things to take note of as you review your notes from each month this year:

  • What new places did you visit?

  • Who did you meet and what relationships did you build?

  • What new skills did you acquire?

Books You’ve Read


Another category I use when reviewing my year is to see what books I read. I used to do this out of competitiveness to see how many books I read which is why I stopped using GoodReads as consistently to track books. But GoodReads makes it so simple to rate and record any books I've read and gives me a glance at the timeline in books for the year. 

Books are an important category to review because along with any notes you’ve taken in journals or just what you’ve written down as lessons you’ve learned through the years, books tell you more about what you were curious about and wanted to learn in the past year. This is particularly true if you do read non-fiction and are trying to learn and acquire new skills with the books you choose to read.

 

Progress For What Comes Next.


No matter what you review and how you evaluate your annual review, it’s important to look at each year as a stepping stone and progress forward toward bigger goals. We will always encounter obstacles and setbacks along the way.

So as you take the time to close out the year this weekend, look back on what has happened for you in the last twelve months so that you can better prepare for where your journey takes you next.

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Managing Holiday Stress To Enjoy More This Season

Making the holidays less stressful

The holiday season is upon us once more and with it comes much holiday cheer but also many challenges.

I want to help make life as stress-free as possible so that you can rise to the challenge of those experiences that you actually want to be able to have.

Managing stress successfully is all about recognizing your own situation but there are a few considerations that'll help us all with the stress that tends to come at us around the holidays.

Watch this as a video here, or continue reading below.


Make a basic plan for the holidays

I know everyone doesn’t love being a planner and having everything in their life mapped out but a little preparation can go a long way when entering a more stressful season.

Financial Stress

Look at your gift list and space those purchases out over the next four weeks if that helps you to experience less financial strain. By planning ahead and spacing gifts out over multiple paycheques it won’t put as much pressure on you.

I go so far as automatically scheduling a savings account to drip deposits throughout the whole year so I really don’t have to think about it by the time Christmas comes around. I just look at what I have saved and create a budget for all the gifts I’m wanting to give.

Social Stress

Plan your social engagements for the holidays if you are more introverted and find that all of the interaction drains you.

While attending holiday parties may not be as negotiable, you can look ahead to incorporate more me time or recovery time in there to balance it out. Take care of yourself as well with a little more me time and attention to your deep health. With that being said, this time of year is extra special for getting together with friends and family so look at the upside of those get-togethers and cherish them.

It seems like those gatherings are becoming less frequent. And we can all use them, especially after the last few years of experiencing more social isolation.

Planning To Get More From Your Vacation

If you have a vacation coming up, taking time to plan it out for yourself or with whoever you’re travelling with can enhance the experience that you have.

Humans are funny and often don’t even take the time to appreciate the rewards of our hard efforts.

When you are sitting on the beach basking in the sun and listening to the ocean waves and you catch yourself thinking about the next thing instead of appreciating where you are at here and now, it's a part of human nature.

The lesson we can take from this is to actively plan your vacation, think about it, and talk about it so that you also get the positive feelings of something to look forward to as you make that last push at work before the holidays.

Avoid Burning Out At Work

This is a stressful time of year at work for most of us too, and to enjoy this holiday season beating burnout is important.

Join me on this free lunchtime webinar hosted by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce on how to beat burnout in the workplace.


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Does Athletic Taping Work For Recovery?

The world of sports is something amusing. Different athletes from around the world get paid millions of dollars to play competitively, and in order to do that they must prevent themselves from getting injured. From LeBron James to Lionel Messi, these athletes train and do whatever it takes to improve their performance and body.

Unfortunately, some things in life are inevitable, whether it be bruises, burns or even major injuries like dislocations or fractures, everyone at some point in their lives has gotten injured or has at least felt some type of pain before. Sports competitors usually try to prevent injuries from occurring or from getting worse by applying athletic taping. NBA players, soccer stars or volleyball athletes tend to use these special types of taping to improve their workout, rehabilitate and avoid injuries.

What is Athletic Taping:

Athletic taping is the process of applying tape directly to the skin in order to decrease swelling and pain by helping increase the amount of blood flow to the injured area.

Kinesio-type tape (KT) adjusts to the skin and accommodates movements. As you can see, there are different kinds of taping, people can use, it really just depends on what they prefer. We have all seen athletes on the court, field or pool wearing stripes of coloured tape that are not even wrapped around the limbs or muscles like an elastic support bandage.

Instead, it is a long tape is applied to the skin and sticks on, so what type of athletic taping do athletes use?

As we are talking about athletes, the taping that would be best for them is Kinesio-type taping. Physical therapists use it to treat pain from sports injuries and boost athletic performance, among other things. Sports and Medical Orthopaedists Dominic King, DO explain how KT tape is different than the others, by saying “It’s different than your standard athletic tape, which is used to immobilize a joint. Elastic therapeutic taping has the benefit of being stretchy. When you apply it to a joint, it helps to act almost like a rubber band, supporting muscles and tendons, and taking a little stress off the joints. It also can help relieve swelling in certain areas”. Most notably basketball star James Harden, who is known as a great scorer and known for staying healthy. He is always seen regularly with a sporting KT tape on his right shoulder, and even though he is not injured, he is taking the right measure to make sure that his muscles and joints are behaving the way they should.

Houston Rockets’ Head Athletic Trainer Jason Biles commented “I’ve been in the NBA now eight years, and I’ve been using it probably seven or eight years, right when I came in. I like the KT Tape specifically because it promotes a sort of natural healing response, helping with swelling reduction, encouraging optimal movement and proper movement, and the appropriate alignment of the joints. It gives the athlete great feedback of where their body is in space — we want them to be aware of if they’re in a vulnerable position, or if they’re in the proper position they can move optimally from… So, it’s the tape that we use for those things and also just to sort of encourage the movement that we would like. So, if a joint tends to want to, say, become maligned, then we can apply some tape to encourage the proper movement to achieve what the athlete needs on the court”.

James Harden uses it mostly as injury prevention and having the tape placed on his shoulders says it has helped him mentally as well “Whenever I’m sore, whether it’s my knee or my shoulder, putting the KT Tape on gets the blood flowing and circulating around my body… I’m able to go out there and play free, not really thinking about injuries. It just gives me that confidence. It gives me the confidence to go out there and not worry about getting injured. If you’re playing free and you’re confident, great things are going to happen on the court”.

Additionally, this method can help keep muscles or bones in a certain position in order to prevent an injury from occurring. For this to happen, athletes must put the athletic taping near the joints like the ankles, wrists, and hands for added support due to the elasticity of the athletic tape. It naturally returns to its original position, which alleviates some of the athlete’s muscle strain, which is one of the benefits of the tape; however, Dr. King explains that people report feeling a little more comfortable with the tape, and it seems as if it gives them some added support, and with backed up research, it also shows that people experience short-term benefit from using the tape. “For the short term it actually can help with some joints that might be painful, for a couple of hours or maybe for a day; but it doesn’t really have that type of long-term relief, where this is going to be the only thing, you’re going to need in order to take away all of your joint pain,” he says” Dr. King explains, as research indicates that Kinesio tape may help alleviate pain for individuals who suffer from persistent musculoskeletal pain, it is in no way superior to other treatments. In addition, he asserts that there is no scientific evidence that Kinesio tape can lessen disability among people who suffer from chronic pain.

Some other short-term benefits that KT taping provides are that it helps with stabilizing ankles, supporting knees, solidifying shoulders, opening elbows, supporting weak or injured muscles, improving muscle contraction, and preventing overuse.

Finally, King goes on to mention that the tape should only be used as part of a program that also includes physical therapy to treat muscle soreness as a last resort, nor are there any long-term benefits from Kinesio taping.  

Why is Athletic Taping Important?

Taping makes life easier for athletes as it can be effective for rehabilitation. Even though athletic tape can help prevent injuries brought on by exercise, accidents do still happen as it is expected to happen. Athletic tape might be the solution you need when they do. When limiting the range of motion for particular joints and muscles with conventional athletic tape, the body may heal more quickly than if the movement were unrestricted. It can also be used as a splint for sprained joints, which expedites the healing process. Traditional athletic tape can help reduce swelling by compressing the muscle, which can reduce pain and prevent further injury.

The reasons for using elastic therapeutic tape are the same but in different ways. Athletic tape reduces swelling and reduces pain by helping to increase blood flow to the injured area. The elasticity of the athletic tape can also provide the affected muscles with support. It naturally returns to its initial position, alleviating some of the athlete's muscle strain. The tape can help protect the previously injured area from re-injury and reduce pain when the athlete is well enough to resume their sport or activity.

Additionally, the athletic tape can assist in correcting any form of issues caused by injury or other conditions. A trainer can do a runner's analysis to apply the tape in the best position for their injury, which will help them fix their form and stop them from hurting themselves again. Again, Athletic Taping is more beneficial short-term than long term and shouldn’t be depended on without addressing injuries.

How can athletic taping help you?

Whether you’re a competitive athlete or just want to stay healthy, KT taping can help you to reduce injuries and feel your best.

And we offer sports taping at Flow Spa.

Flow Spa is the premier float therapy and sports recovery centre in Peterborough, Ontario.

Our centre focuses on helping people deal with stress and pain so that they can recover and feel better.

We ensure that we make our customer’s experience better than any other float centres. As a team, we provide the customer’s needs and wants and deliver phenomenal services.

Our mission is to provide the ultimate relaxing and rejuvenating experience to help you ease your stress and pain.

Flow Spa has the best tools and treatment options available: float therapy, massage therapy, reflexology, reiki, infrared saunas, cold plunges, contrast therapy, Normatec compression therapy, and health coaching.

KT Taping can be included as part of your massage therapy session. Book your appointment online and mention you want taping done or give us a call at 705-230-8575.

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Practicing Self-Compassion Is Hard

Why is it that people are fundamentally better at being compassionate and caring towards others than they are towards themselves?

What is it about self-compassion that makes most of us not very good at practicing it?

In this article we will dive into:

  • The underlying scripts from society - how we’ve learned to value other people’s opinions and compare ourselves.

  • There’s a misconception that self-compassion means complacency. We find meaning in progress because we are hard-wired that way

  • Self-compassion feels soft and vulnerable and most people avoid that.

Self-compassion is an important part of having a growth mindset and learning how to develop into your best self. But most people suck at practicing it. Why is it that we push ourselves relentlessly or tell ourselves that we could have done better with our efforts?

When was the last time that you actually let yourself feel a sense of accomplishment at something you did? And I’m not talking about a 5-second pause before starting up the next project on your list.

The skill of self-compassion is made up of three elements:

  • Self-kindness

  • Common humanity

  • Mindfulness

Self-kindness is about being generous and decent to yourself.

Common humanity is recognizing that you are a part of a greater whole of humanity. You’re not isolated in your suffering and problems.

Mindfulness is also a part of self-compassion as you need to work on being non-judgemental and consciously aware of what you’re doing, thinking, feeling, and experiencing.

This is a hard skill to develop in yourself. There’s a lot going against you that makes practicing self-compassion so hard.

But self-compassion will positively change your life and so you owe it to yourself to put in the effort to rewrite some of these invisible scripts that you tell yourself about self-compassion so that you can go further while also being appreciative of where you are at now.

Underlying scripts from society

How we’ve learned to value other peoples’ opinions and compare ourselves.

Fear of other people’s opinions or FOPO holds us back from being self-compassionate. When you’re hurting and need a day off from the gym, you find yourself watching Navy SEALS on Instagram waking up before the sun to run 100 miles and you think about how if they can do that, you shouldn’t be taking a day off.

Or when your eyes are bugging out of your head from working at a computer all day but you think about that entrepreneur online who appears to be hustling hard 24/7 and so you just keep on working through the exhaustion and digging a deeper hole for yourself.

Comparison, undoubtedly, is the thief of joy.

These underlying scripts tell us that we will be judged and criticized for doing what we feel in our hearts we need at the moment to recharge or just take care of ourselves.

We only get the picture of what people want to share of their life online though and this is why is can be such a harmful image when it seems like all go and taking no days off.

Self-compassion and complacency.

The misconception about self-compassion means complacency.

We find meaning in progress because we are hard-wired that way. Our brains are constantly seeking out the next step on our journey.

Recognizing that we are driven by dopamine is an important part of having more self-compassion. By knowing this, we can identify when we are feeling unease at sitting still or seemingly not making enough progress. And once we can recognize this, we can accept and embrace that progress looks different for everyone and sometimes the best progress comes from taking a break to recover and recharge. Or that it means pivoting to something new when what we’ve been attempting is no longer working for us.

Self-compassion feels soft and vulnerable.

Most people want to avoid vulnerability at all costs. They keep their secrets held close and don’t open up about anything to anyone.

While there are many thought leaders expressing themselves out in the world and sharing the importance of vulnerability, this is still not the default for most of us.

Have you ever been on a car ride with someone where the silence was deafening? You know that something is up with them but they’d rather stare out the window with lips held tight instead of having a conversation. You can sense it because our ability to read a situation goes far beyond just language.

One of the reasons we like to follow people like Brene Brown and Russell Brand and all those influencers online who have expressed a part of their story to the world is that it’s brave and we have a strong desire to feel the same way.

Being self-compassionate does not mean you are soft although it often means opening yourself up, at least to yourself, so that you can correctly understand what and how you are feeling.

Only through practice will you come to understand how to express yourself.

So then, with the three elements that makeup self-compassion, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, think about what you can do to work a little of these into your day.

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