Massage Helps Minimize Jet Lag

There were many highlights in my trip to Italy -- the food of course, the museums, the Italian hospitality, the amazing architecture and landscape, the spas…

But I can’t say I enjoyed the jet lag. They say it takes one day for each time zone you’ve crossed (more or less depending if you’re heading West or East) to adjust back to your new or regular time zone.

Symptoms of Jet Lag:

Symptoms of jet lag include: digestive disorders, disorientation, disrupted sleep, fatigue, grogginess, headache, inability to concentrate, insomnia, irregular sleep patterns, irritability and mild depression.

Recovery:

A certain amount of jet lag is unavoidable while traveling great distances by airplane because your body's natural rhythms have become out of sync with local time, but as a massage therapist, I recommend getting a massage to minimize the amount of time it takes to recover. It certainly helped me.

Benefits of Massage:

Improved sleep is one of the benefits of massage therapy and jet lag is considered a sleep disorder. Don’t we instinctively rub someone’s shoulders to help them relax or gently stroke the head or backs of babies to coax them back to sleep? Isn’t therapeutic touch what massage is all about?

Many people have said they’ve slept well after receiving a relaxing massage and some people even fall asleep in the middle of a treatment – I know I nodded off in an Italian spa while I was getting a pedicure! I think it was during the foot massage.

So if you’re experiencing jet leg like I did recently, get a massage. It can help you get a better night’s sleep and get over your jet lag sooner.

My spa service in Italy.

My hubby and I are back from our second year wedding anniversary vacation in Italy.  

We had the best time and split the two weeks between four days in Florence, six nights on a farm in rural Tuscany and ended with four days in Rome!  There were so many highlights in the trip; the food of course, the museums, the Italian hospitality and after all the sight seeing, a much needed luxurious pedicure.

When I travel I like to check out spas and receive a massage or spa service, so when it rained one day, I dragged my hubby into The Four Seasons in Florence to look at their spa and book a treatment.

Let me say, I was reminded again of the value of massage and spa services! I hear it all the time from my clients so when I a receive a service it really strikes a chord.

Here’s what the pedicure included:

The luxury pedicure commences with a grapefruit and tea tree emollient foot soak, followed by a sugar crystal exfoliation. The feet are then nourished with a cream that is rich in avocado and vitamins A and E, resulting in a refreshing sensation of lightness and hydration. The experience concludes with an application of polish.

The pedicure was pure bliss and I drifted off during the foot massage.

Pedicures don’t just help your feet look and feel better; when combined with a reflexology foot massage, pedicures can improve your circulation, lessen stress, and reduce pain. Pedicures also relieve uneven pressure on your bottom of your feet caused by callous build up. Dead skin is removed allowing your skin to breathe more efficiently. Aromatherapy like grapefruit, orange, lemon, tea tree or peppermint adds to the experience too as it uplifts the spirit and energizes you. Finally, as the cuticles and nails are cleaned, pedicures protect against fungus's and bacteria. So there you have it, the benefits go far beyond pretty toes.

They looked after my hubby too and suggested he relax in the quiet area. They gave him tea and a book to read so I could relax some more, guilt free!

Helen relaxing after her pedicure-Four Seasons Florence ,Italy.