Black
Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone – time to recheck that
holiday gift list! What can you give that won’t end up in the back of a
closet or forgotten about? Look at your list with your own values,
resources and priorities in mind. A sustainable choice to avoid plastics
and landfills may resonate. The gift of an experience or adventure may
be more your style. Whether you shop with your feet or your fingers,
here are FIVE ideas to get you going.
The Gift of Learning: gift a class, lessons or memberships: cooking, herb gardening, knitting, photography, golfing, yoga or sky diving or skiing lessons.
Something Handmade: create or build something unique: home-cooked, garden-grown, hand-painted, hand-crafted or collected.
Give an Experience: Tickets to the theater, concert, movie, zoo, theme park, sporting event, museum, or maybe a boat tour
Gifts That Last: a musical instrument, a board game, a planting kit, tools for gardens or crafts, gear for sports or hobbies.
The Gift of Time: play that board game you gave, help with the planting kit, offer to babysit or pet-sit (or grandparent sit!)
While
gift cards are always good; thoughtful, personal gifts, or fun
experiences or adventures may be more meaningful – for you and for them.
And just in case, save your receipts.
Great Stocking Stuffers, office gifts, teachers, Secret Santa, Hostess (never go empty-handed) Gifts.
Reindeer Relaxers – $100 •
Package of five (5) 15-minute Healthy Retreat chair massage gift certificates – use one at a time, or combine for a longer massage! Save $25.
Santa Samplers $65 – Our Most Popular Package •
Santa Samplers include: One Mini-Vacation – 25 minute chair massage for back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands, One Healthy Retreat – 15 minute chair massage for back, neck and shoulders and One QuickBREAK – 10 minute chair massage for back and neck. Save $15.
Massage Passport Packages •
Get 11 Chair Massage Gift Certificates for the price of ten (10). Passport packages make nice individual gifts. Break your package open and you have 11 gifts! Great for a dedicated teacher, inspiring coaches, the karate sensei, your pool guy, your awesome yoga instructor, your co-worker, your “what do i give the boss” boss, your life-saving mechanic, your talented hairdresser and oh, yeah – keep one for you!
INDIVIDUAL GIFT CERTIFICATES range from $20-35 •
ALL TAKE 5 MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATES CAN BE REDEEMED IN ALL ORLANDO AREA WHOLE FOODS MARKET LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS INFUSION TEA IN COLLEGE PARK.
Short on time? Order by phone – 407 896-6740
(Allow 2-3 business days for processing & mailing)
Hurricanes are serious business, but sometimes it’s important to take a look at the lighter side. If you’ve battled for toilet paper, waiting in long gas lines, buttoned and boarded up, done power shopping before a hurricane, you know what we mean. We show up and we get her done. Here are some hurricane “looks” that remind us it’s important to keep calm and carry on and don’t forget to smile. From Radar Tees to Designs of Recycled debris, there are moments to enjoy.
Each parent (or legal guardian) who purchases a regular Take 5 Chair Massage in August receives a free 5-minute Kids* Massage Coupon. For larger families, additional “kid” coupons available for purchase $5 each.
Kid Coupons are available in all Orlando Take 5 locations through August 31, 2019. Please note: kids under 16 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian while receiving massage. Ask your massage therapist for details.
Have you ever wondered how moms do what they do? We have. How do they nurture a family, run a household, pursue a career, teach and mold minds, monitor behavior, juggle relationships PLUS provide a bunch of free ride-shares?
Parenthood is hard. The daily mashup of work, love, and focus exceeds those of any full-time, lifelong, demanding job. A recent study found that moms work an average of 98 hours per week, with an average of only 17 minutes a day of free time for themselves. That works out to just under 2 hours a week available for self-care. The daily multi-tasking, juggling everyone’s schedules, and adjusting to shifting priorities contributes to stress, tension, over-exertion, and overwhelm. We notice how often moms (and dads) find their way into our massage chairs seeking relief from stress, fatigue, tension, headaches and/or backaches. The necessity of self-care, time-out, relaxation and rest for moms (and dads) can’t be overemphasized; nor can the importance of gratitude and appreciation for all they do, be over-stated.
Trees
shelter us, shade us, clean our air, enhance landscapes, provide
habitat for wildlife and invite us to gather. Areas with trees have less
violence and less pollution, while conserving energy and increasing
property values. Memories are created in the shade of trees: on lawns,
parks and other green spaces. Although sentimental about the trees of
our youth, it’s important to choose trees native
to our area. Florida’s native trees provide habitat for local wildlife,
have a better chance of survival and enhance our eco-system.
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. (Chinese proverb)
In Florida, we love shade! The City of Orlando holds the title: “Longest Running Active Tree City USA” in Florida. Currently, our explosive growth and development threatens our landscapes and canopies. Some of us are bummed about the loss of the beautiful, mature trees which lined the I-4 corridor. While there are plans to replant, it will take years to re-establish the landscapes and canopies. As Arbor Day approaches (Friday, April 26th), consider working together to create more public and private green spaces in our lawns, parks and city scapes. Some cities/communities offer free tree planting programs (City of Orlando link). Search for your area: enter your specific location and “free trees.” You might be surprised by what’s available.
If we told you that adopting 9 simple lifestyle habits could dramatically extend your life; would you change your lifestyle? In 2004, a group of researchers teamed up with National Geographic to scout out pockets of longevity worldwide. Their 5 designated “Blue Zones” are virtually disease-free, as well as geographically and ethnically diverse. In each location, large numbers of residents live to 100 or older. Here are the identified common lifestyle characteristics.
9 Lifestyle Elements Centenarians Share Worldwide
Plant-based diets – some meat, vegetarians have a head start here
1 glass of wine a day w/ friends at meals (4 of the 5 groups)
Belong to strong social networks (often faith-based)
“Hara hachi bu” Japanese for eat until you are 80% full
Routines that reduce stress – we’re fond of massage for this one
“Ikigal/ plan de vida” – maintain a sense of purpose for your life
Put loved ones first
Hang with the Right Tribe (others with similar health behaviors)
Dive in, do some research. While some cities and communities are working to incorporate longevity lifestyles into their communities, you could take a do-it-yourself approach. The 9 key lifestyle habits are a great match for Florida year round outdoor living: walking, gardening, swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, bird-watching, biking etc. Live long and prosper!
Managing your emotions can save your heart! A belief held by many – experienced by some – is now being validated in scientific and medical research. Many who find their way into our massage chairs share some of their frustrations, and disappointments, as well as their physical challenges and needs. And the simple fact is that worry, fear, anger and sorrow cause stress, anxiety and even pain. Stress triggers a cascade of chemicals – such as adrenaline and cortisol – which raise blood pressure, heart rate and ultimately affect the health of your heart.
There are many natural ways to reduce your stress levels. Massage, as you may know, helps lower both your stress levels and your blood pressure. Exercise, being in nature, meditation, practicing yoga, hanging out with friends, laughing, talk therapy and support groups also help to decrease stress and anxiety. As stress and anxiety are cumulative, so are the benefits of self-awareness and self-care. Practice self-care and seek a health professional if your stress levels begin to affect your health.
“Beyond all ideas of right and wrong there is a field, I will meet you there” Rumi
Journaling is a wonderful way to start your year. It’s even good for your health. Clean pages beckon (instead of blink) ready to capture your musings, sort feelings and goals, and create something new. Like a composer who wakes to write down notes that came in sleep, your journal awaits. When you a have a place to write your intuitions, ideas for art, books, projects and dreams, more will come.
Helpers. Many tools can inspire: friends, books, blogs and articles. A nice niche, comfy chair or sunny spot to write helps with inspiration.
Materials. Journals can be lovely sheets of fine paper or simple notebooks. A pen that pleases you, flows well onto paper is an asset, not a necessity. Browse in a bookstore, many journals and notebooks are on sale this time of year.
Prompts. If the writing doesn’t flow, use “prompts” to get started. A favorite quote, an image, a random observation will work. Use a beautiful object, an act of kindness, music, a frustration, a question with no answer, an overheard conversation, a memory. I usually find a strong image or quote to start an article.
Give your creative self a place and time to share. Affirm,
resolve, doodle, press flowers, sketch, include photos and momentos. Record happy and sad moments, wins and
losses. See it’s really all yours. Handle with care, no preconceptions, no
judgment, no rights or wrongs.
