April 2017

In This Issue:

Season of New Beginnings

Massage for Back Pain

April Made Fresh Facial

National Humor Month

BLMC & Community Events

2

2

Spring Flowers and

what they mean

~Tulip: Declaration of love

~Hydrangea: Gratitude

Spring...the season of New Beginnings

We are well into the “new” year when we say goodbye to the dark and cold

of winter and welcome the sun’s warmth of spring. While winter symbolical-

ly represents endings and closure-a natural period of dormancy, spring rep-

resents awakenings and birth-a period of growth.

As the natural transition of winter into spring occurs, we begin to give

thought to the earth coming to life again-we embrace the longer days and

warmer temperatures with a joy in our hearts and a ‘spring’ in our step. We

begin to experience a feeling of renewal...a fresh start. Which is why spring

cleaning our homes has become a tradition. A ritual of purging and airing

out of the things we no longer want or need to get a clean start into the new

season. .

Spring, then, is perhaps the perfect time to begin a cleaning of our lives too-

a time to reset our lifestyle, get organized, rid ourselves of the mental

“clutter” we have accumulated, dust of old talents and hobbies or plant

seeds that will all us to blossom and grow.

If you are feeling you have fallen of the resolution bandwagon of the new

year, try revisiting those resolutions with a fresh new look in this season of

new beginnings.

Feel Better. Live Better.

~Daffodil: Eternal life,

joy & happiness

~Daisy: Innocence & purity

~Lilac: Confidence & youthful

innocence

~Cattail: Peacefulness &

prosperity

Soon the flowers will be in bloom,

each flower has a meaning behind

it. Here are a few you may see

blooming this spring and what they

represent

April is National Humor Month!

Founded in 1976 by author and humorist Lar-

ry Wilde, the original idea was to h increase

public awareness of the therapeutic and re-

storative values of laughter.

Studies show that laughter can actually im-prove our health. The truth is, laughter changes us both physiologically and psycho-logically. Like exercise, it boosts the heart rate and increases blood flow, so we breathe fast-er and bring more oxygen to the body’s tis-sues. Our facial muscles stretch and we actu-ally burn calories when we’re laughing. Addi-tionally, laughter improves our mood - you can not feel sad or angry when you our laugh-ing. Here are a few ways laughter can help us ~ laughter Reduces Stress ~ laughter Can Reduce Pain ~ laughter Strengthens the Immune System ~ laughter Helps the Heart ~ laughter Relaxes the Whole Body ~ laughter Helps You Recharge

Like yawning, laughter is contagious-and

when you laugh, people are drawn to you so

you have the opportunity to have a positive

effect on those around you. And as if all this

wasn’t enough, laughter is free, there is a

never ending supply, it’s fat and calorie free

and you can have as much as you like.

Treat yourself to a good belly laugh everyday

this month and notice the difference in how

you feel. Nothing to laugh at? Don’t worry you

can fake it and still get all the benefits.

LAUGH

Benefits of Massage for Back Pain

From stress relief to skin rejuvenation, the benefits of massage are extensive. When it comes to managing back pain, however, there are some specific bene-fits massage therapy can offer.

- Improves circulation. With increased circulation comes faster recovery time for sore, overworked muscle tissues. - Increases the release of endorphins. Endorphins are our natural painkillers every time you have a massage, it increase the release of endorphins. This can only help in managing pain. - Facilitates relaxation. When you relax, your muscles relax, thereby calming the pain. - Improves movement. Range of motion and flexibility both get a boost with massage.

When to See a Doctor

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), back-pain sufferers should see a doctor if they have: - Numbness or tingling. - Pain, accompanied by weakness, fever, numbness in the legs, weight loss not caused by diet, or trouble urinating. - Pain after a fall or injury. - Severe pain that does not improve with rest.

massagetherapy.com

Aprils Made Fresh Facial

Gelin’ with Melon

Fruit with benefits!

“Melons are some of the best natural sources of antioxidants,” says Dawn Gallagher, author of Nature’s Beauty Secrets.

Melon is loaded with vitamins A&C and lycopene which help your body fight free radicles that cause cell damage leading to the signs of aging

Benefits of Melon ~hydrates and rejuvenates the skin ~regeneration of skin ~anti-aging benefits ~treatment of eczema and other skin problems

4

4

Better Living Massage Center & Spa 1017 US 23 North Alpena, MI 49707 989-356-2221 betterlivingmassagecenterandspa.com Email: rose@betterlivingmassagecenterandspa.com

April 29 BLMC&SPA Rummage / Craft Sale

Come out and find great deals on lots of miscellaneous items. Halloween & Christmas Decorations, unique items, books, clothes, craft items & more Want to participate? You can rent a table for $10 for the day and set up your stuff. Crafters welcome! Call 356-2221 to reserve a table

May 6 Pelvic Floor RefresHER!!

Ladies…this event is for you. Wynne Tezak P.T. will be teaching us how to strengthen the pelvic floor. This is a fun and interactive class, and will include a Q & A session as well as a wine tasting from Thunder Bay Winery and hors’ d’oeuvres. Class fee is $25 Space is limited. Reservations and advanced payment required.

May 13 Kids DIY Mother’s Day Gift Workshop

Kids aged 5 – 10 can join us for an afternoon of making homemade spa items for their Moms. Kids must be accompanied by an adult for the entire class. Class fee $25/child and includes all supplies and craft materials. Adults accompanying the child may participate as well with an additional $25 fee. Advanced Payment required. Limited to 12 children.

Community Events

Looking for places to go and things to do in our community?

Check out these sites.

http://www.visitalpena.com/events/

http://www.americantowns.com/mi/alpena/events

WOW I’m going!

Sounds Fun!