What actually happens to muscle when it’s massaged?

11 brave (a.k.a. crazy) men agreed to exercise to exhaustion, then allow biopsies of their quadriceps * muscles for analysis, just so we could find out. (Yikes!)

* Quadriceps - a.k.a. Vastus Lateralis - a.k.a. thigh muscles

The first biopsy was taken at rest. 

After exercising till exhaustion (an hour +) a 10 minute massage was provided for only one leg. A second biopsy was then taken on both quadriceps. 

The men then rested for a 2-1/2 hour period of recovery, at which point a third biopsy was taken - again from both legs.

As you probably know, when we exercise, small microscopic tears occur in muscle fibers. The repair of those tears is actually what forms thickness and growth. However, before that happens, those tiny micro tears cause inflammation, soreness and/or pain. It takes time for the healing process to happen. 

That said, based on this study, it takes less time when you incorporate Massage!

“Massage can suppress inflammation and enhance cell recovery”

Massage was found to reduce inflammation by reducing the production of pain-related pro-inflammatory cytokines.  The repair of cells was also assisted due to the stimulation of mitochondria  - which convert glucose into the energy essential for cell function and repair. 

Side Note: Anti-inflammatory drugs reduce swelling, but may actually retard healing. 

Bottom line ~

Massage Promotes Overall Good Health 😀

Visit Nancy at www.humankneads.com for more Massage Therapy info. 

Nightmares

I wish I could sleep better. Longer. Geez... some nights, at all! Insomnia seems to be my lot in life. 

Of course, like everyone, I’ve researched the standards: What to eat. What not to eat. When to eat... The same for drinking. And let’s not forget exercise. When. For how long. What type... ugh. So much to go through, just to get a decent nights rest.

Then this little tidbit found its way to my in box. 

Did You Know That Sleeping In A Cold Room Increases The Chances Of Having A Nightmare

(No, actually, I didn’t... and uh, the article picture alone, could give nightmares...)

Curiosity piqued - and somewhat wanting to get that image out of my head - I dug a little deeper. 

WebMD indeed points out, that too cold, or too hot, will cause your body to struggle to achieve a happy temperature. 

Around 67-68 degrees, tends to work best. Any warmer or colder could lead to restlessness, which affects REM. (Rapid Eye Movement - a.k.a. the stage of sleep in which you dream - a.k.a. Hello insomnia and nightmares!)

To add further insult to this situation, women tend to have more nightmares than men. This is due to changes in body temperature, thanks to monthly cycles. 

Time to adjust my thermostat accordingly.  😜

Our Hands Speak Volumes

“The longer our ring finger is compared to our index - the more testosterone we absorb in the womb.” 

High levels of testosterone slows the growth of the index finger. 

Wow... According to 4 Things Finger Length Can Reveal About You, researchers are now looking into the connection of finger length and academic success, education level, income predictors, monogamy, anxiety, depression, ADHD, Tourette’s and autism. 

Have a Hearty Valentine's Day 💝

A few fun facts in honor of Valentine's Day. 

At every stage of life, your heart is about the size of the fist you make when you close your hand. 

💜

Next time you have a tennis ball - grab it. Try to pop it. Really try... Can you? 

Did you know that your heart pump’s with enough power to pop a tennis ball... every time it beats!

💕💞💗

Or that, every day, the heart creates enough energy to drive a truck 20 miles. In a lifetime, that is equivalent to driving to the moon and back. So, when you tell some one you love them “to the moon and back” you’re essentially saying you will love them with all the blood your heart pumps your whole life.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I hope your heart is filled with lots of love!!

💘💖💝 

Mind Control Miracles

Confidence is the best placebo, one we have access to at all times. 

No surprise - our thoughts, our own beliefs are powerful and can, literally, empower us. They can enhance overall abilities, athletic performance, aid with pain relief, ease anxiety, depression, and various diseases. (Particularly those susceptible to the influence of placebo.) 

Read more about it here -> The Science Behind Miracles. 

It sounds almost too good to be true, and gives me pause when thinking about faith healers, prayer, suggestibility and the power of positivity, miracles, hypnosis, sugar pills... all of which have huge placebo effects.

As Henry Ford said, “If you think you can, or you think you can’t - you’re right.”

"The brain influences the rest of the body"

Are you harnessing your Jedi mind power?

What suggestions are you feeding your brain?

Do they help create and support the reality you want?

“I don’t think the power of the mind is limitless. But I do think we don’t yet know where those limits are.” ~ Alia Crum (As stated in ‘Suggestible You’)

What do you believe? 

Keep that 'Monkey Mind' Busy

Time for a little mental trickery. 

The Dali Lama says to focus on your breathing. 

This helps keep the 'monkey mind' busy. 

If you have anxiety, take deep breaths in sync with this gif: 

https://31.media.tumblr.com/b1406ea40336dc68e5404b380c391d96/tumblr_nsj9tcMOgY1qkv5xlo1_500.gif

Inhale in....

...and exhale out.... ahhhhh.

We Are All Being Replaced

My, my, my.... give each of us enough time and we will all be replaced! 

Well, at least our cells will. 

Thankfully, what I'm referring to, is the fact that our body continually replaces worn out cells with fresh cells. Head over to "Here's how often your body parts get replaced in your lifetime" to learn more.