What You Should Know about the Effects of Stress

Do you need an excuse to take a day of pampering? How about your health? While going to a spa or even just to a salon such as those at http://g2ospasalon.com/ can be viewed as an extravagance, they can actually have health benefits for certain people. This is because a spa is often centered on placing the body in a state of relaxation, whether it is through massage, steam therapy, acupuncture, or more. In some cases, these practices can help relieve your body of stress.

What Is Stress?

Stress is a natural response of the body to changes in the environment. It is all around us, and is generally a very useful response. When working positively, stress can be motivational, keeping people alert and awake. It may be used to keep up the drive to finally finish that project on time, or to avoid dangerous situations. One person may handle stress differently from the next, and it can be experienced emotionally, physically, or mentally. But too much stress for too long can be detrimental to your health.

Negative Stress

Stress can affect your body in a number of different ways. Physically, stress tends to contribute to headaches, upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, weight gain or loss, and insomnia. It can also worsen symptoms of pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and diabetes. Symptoms of stress can also lead to more severe conditions, such as heart disease or stroke. Mentally, besides a lack of sleep, stress can cause trouble with concentration and memory. Emotionally, stress can contribute to symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Relaxation Benefits

So what can a visit to a spa do for stress? The various techniques used to help relax the body can often relieve many of the symptoms of stress, such as pain-causing tension. Massage, for example, can be used to ease tension from muscles, stimulating oxygen and blood flow, and reducing anxiety. Besides making you feel better, many spas may provide services to help you look better too. Body scrubs can be both relaxing and effective at removing dead skin cells to help promote new, healthy skin growth. You can visit a website such as http://g2ospasalon.com/ to learn more about the available services from a spa.