Before I started developing our wellness centre last year, I did some massage training at a wonderful place in the beautiful Welsh Borders. I enjoyed it so much that I will definitely go back there and have an overnighter somewhere close and book in as a client for a couple of treatments now that I’m not going away this year (will leave details at the end of the blog in case you would like to take a mini break and try it for yourself). Anyway, it was at that point I became aware that therapists, who clearly love what they do, seem to radiate an aura of peacefulness that makes you feel better just being in their company.

I asked Mai, our Thai Therapist, about this and she explained that while giving that ultimate touch therapy, the massage, there is a cross transference of wellbeing between the masseur and the client. She says that giving 4 maybe 5 massages a day perfectly balances her state of wellbeing. I know this to be true of Reiki practitioners as well.

The flip side of this is that many more people have stressful jobs, such as doctors and nurses, or work in an environment where they are constantly absorbing client anxiety, such as dentists and driving test examiners. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), early warning signs of job stress include:

• Headaches
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Short temper
• Job dissatisfaction
• Low morale

These symptoms interfere with an employee’s sense of well-being and can result in poor health behaviours, such as not eating or eating too much. Moreover, sustained exposure to stressful working conditions can result in a variety of long term health problems, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Psychological disorders
• Workplace injury

Research shows that amongst other things, three of the commonest ways to combat stress and release negative energy are having a support network (not everyone has and sometimes it’s not enough), self care, and taking regular exercise. We can’t take care of the latter, but we can provide  expert emotional support (Lemon Tree Therapy) and physical therapy (Erika and Mai) to help restore wellbeing.

And so I continue to shamelessly steal my little bit of “feel good” from the therapists when I see them. And when that’s not enough, for example when my stress levels are high or the old back and creaking joints need a bit of attention, then I book myself in for a proper treatment and then can I properly appreciate the Garden Therapy Room as a client. The sounds of nature, the gentle spa music, the aroma of the oils, the warmth, the lovely therapists and their expert soothing hands… and if I’m lucky and the weather’s bad, the gentle rhythm of the rain on the roof… all combining to give that ultimate wellbeing therapy.

See full details at https://cabelo-tettenhall.com/wellness/

Debbie Hughes @Pretty Vintage Holistics & Spiritual Therapies
The Old Co-op
Ellesmere Road
St Martins
SY11 3AZ

I will be booking in for the Face the World facial, which is a choreographed massage to a gorgeous soundtrack, together with a reflexology treatment, but go to her website and see what else she offers. As I say about our therapists’ treatments, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

01691 778012
https://www.prettyvintageholistics.co.uk/