Relieve Stress, Boost Your Immune System

It's no secret that this year has taken a toll on our stress levels, both individually and collectively.

When chronic stress builds, the effects tend to show up in every area of our lives, straining our relationships, energy levels, physical health, work performance, and beyond. Essentially, it puts us in survival mode - which isn't a place from which we can lead and nurture others very effectively, or have compassion for ourselves or our loved ones during these trying times.

Now more than ever, we must put on our own oxygen masks first, especially when it comes to buffering our immune systems against the detrimental effects of stress.  At Hudson Healing Arts. we remain dedicated to helping you find balance and greater harmony in body, mind, and spirit through a variety of healing modalities (both remote and in-person sessions are currently available).

Without further ado, here are a few ways we can help ease stress and guide you back to your highest self...

Acupuncture
There's  a common misconception that you need a specific physical reason to get acupuncture; for instance, to sleep better or ease migraines. However, there are hundreds of acupuncture points that can be stimulated for a desired effect on your energy flow (such as reconnecting with joy). Acupuncture is amazing for general stress relief - this holistic health technique lowers cortisol levels, calms the nervous system, lowers blood pressure, and releases endorphins - and all you need to do to reap the benefits is lie down!

Feldenkrais Method
The Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education might sound intimidating, but its goal is simple: to help you move better and feel better. Through gentle movement and directed attention, Feldenkrais practitioners help you to improve function and breathing, facilitate ease of movement, and decrease pain and tension.

With this ease of breathing and reduction of muscular tension comes a deep release form the chronic stress that so many of us store in our bodies. Feldenkrais lessons also develop your ability to bring yourself out of "fight or flight" mode to consciously relax. For more on how deep breathing boosts our immune system, check out this wonderful article from Smithsonian Magazine.

Bach Flower Remedies
Bach Flower Remedies are an all-natural source of stress relief; powerful enough to restore emotional balance, and gentle enough for kids, pets, and even babies. One reason they're uniquely effective os that while they address the issue at hand, they also clear room for the next layer to surface - allowing you to slowly balance out the root cause of your distress at your own pace. At HHA, we call this "peeling the onion"! THere's no shortage of remedies to choose from for any given emotional state, from loneliness to uncertainty to general burnout. Plus, these flower essences are safe for everyone since they don't interact with medicatons, supplements, or any foods.

AshWork Energy Clearing
Sometimes, it can feel pretty tiring to revisit a challenging experience or problem repeatedly. AshWork is a new paradigm for energy clearing and stress relief where there's minimal talking involved. It's not focused directly at the issue, but on the energy surrounding it . Afterwards, it's common to feel lighter, relieved, happier, and more at ease with yourself and the world around you.

Reiki
Wherever you are emotionally, Reiki is brilliant at helping to restore a sense of balance. If you're feeling gown or weary, it will give you a boost; if you're agitated or operating on overdrive, it works to calm you. It's very easy for our emotions and experiences to get 'stuck', and Reiki's main purpose is to relieve stuck energy, allowing the natural flow to be restored. It's unique to each individual's personal sense of balance.

We're currently offering distance Reiki sessions, and it's important to note that they are just as effective as what you may be used to in-person. The Reason? When there's an intention set to make a connection with the energy, it flows. You don't need to be in the same room as a person to affect their energy; in fact, we send and transmit energy signals all the time. For more detail about how distance sessions work, check out our previous blog post here.

Hypnosis
We may think we're always operating form out conscious mind, but there's an   enormous amount of work going on beyond our conscious awareness. In fact, the subconscious works just like the Wizard of Oz, pulling its little levers behind the curtain. Often, the outdated messages and beliefs are running the show - and the beauty of hypnosis is that it goes directly to the subconscious to address those patterns and behaviors, tapping into your intuition to offer an entirely new perspective.

While we can't go back and change certain experiences, we can reframe them through hypnosis...and it turn, we can feel empowered and wiser, even richer, for situations that previously caused us great distress. It's pretty incredible what can happen when you go straight to the source!

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Finally, because the last thing we want is to add to your stress during your pursuit for stress relief, here's a glimpse into the measures we've taken at HHA to create the safest possible environment:

*  Masks are required for both practitioners and clients, with no exceptions.
*  Each client will receive a temperature check prior to the start of the session.
* Each client is required to wash their hands upon arrival, and hand sanitizers/paper towels are readily available in every area of our space.
*  Surfaces are disinfected between all client sessions and disposable coverings are used on the massage tables.
*  For those who aren't familiar with the layout of HHA, our two treatment rooms )and welcome space) are large enoiugh to be socially distant without discomfort. We're also located in a quiet building where you generally don't see other people, which cuts down on exposure.
*  Currently, only one client is scheduled at a time. When yoyu come to HHA, the only other person in our space will be the practitioner.
*  All practitioners are keeping up to date on CDC coronavirus guidelines for safety.
*  We're fortunate to be located in a beautiful historic building with windows that open, so there's a flow of fresh air.