AS THE BELL TOLLS FROM THE TEMPLE OF THE BODY
COMO Shambhala lead massage therapist and trainer, Songmuang Kanpon, underscores the importance of listening to the signals from the body and imparts advice on how to heed its call for self-care.
Work, eat, sleep, repeat — it is no exaggeration to say that balancing work and family life is more difficult than ever. Striving for harmony becomes exponentially harder as workload gets heavier compounded by the increasing blurring of lines between home and workplace.
These stressors naturally lead to tension in the body. According to the Stress Pulse Survey, 62% of workers report neck pain at the end of the workday, 12% report pain in their hands and 34% report difficulty sleeping.
"The common signs or symptoms of stress are body stiffness, muscle aches, headaches, low energy, lethargy, insomnia or not sleeping well," says Songmuang Kanpon, lead massage therapist and trainer at COMO Shambhala.
Armed with a wealth of experience in body massage, Master Song shares tips on listening to the body.
IDENTIFY EXTERNAL STRESSORS
For some people, it can be difficult to identify which specific physical ailment is causing them pain. In these cases, it would be wise to first identify the external stressors.
Observable stressors might include working overtime or dealing with increased responsibilities. Once the external stressors are identified, it is easier to narrow down the existing and potential physical ailments, and therapists like Master Song are then better able to help their clients treat these pain points.
For example, if the client is experiencing general stiffness and lethargy, possibly due to long working days and poor sleeping habits, Master Song would recommend a Thai Lanna massage. This type of massage helps unblock the meridians and mobilise the joints so that the client feels more energised afterwards.
"If the client is an athlete and has muscle tension, I recommend a deep tissue massage," he adds. A restorative massage to manipulate layers of fascia and increase blood flow, relieving chronic pain and physical stress.
MIND THE HEAD AND BACK
Most of us are no strangers to working at a desk for six hours or more. This sedentary lifestyle does the body no favours. According to a 2017 University of Washington study, back and neck pain costs the United States $88 billion a year.
"For clients who spend a lot of time behind the computer, the neck and shoulder area is very often tense," notes Master Song. This tension can even trigger migraines and headaches, he adds.
As working from home has become the new normal, some people also do not have ergonomically designed workstations. Lack of proper support and poor posture are the most common causes of lower back pain.
Aside from choosing ergonomic furniture, it is helpful to engage in self-care, such as regular body massages. Specifically, for clients who want to feel more relaxed due to a tense workweek or not sleeping well, Master Song recommends the COMO Shambhala massage, which helps calm the mind and body.
“Our signature COMO Shambhala massage uses gentle, rhythmic movements and incorporates Swedish and Balinese massage techniques,” he says.
CULTIVATE HEALTHY HABITS
It is simply not enough to go for a massage every time you are in pain. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. In addition to regular massages, it is important to take care of the body by cultivating good habits, such as exercising and drinking sufficient water.
"To maintain the therapeutic effect, you need to exercise regularly to keep the body supple," explains Master Song. Running or jogging helps to build stronger bones and cardiovascular fitness, and release endorphins and serotonin in the body to improve mood.
It also helps the body to drink plenty of water immediately after the massage to flush out the toxins released during the massage, which contributes to recovery.
Harvard Medical School suggests sufficient hydration throughout the day is important to help maintain electrolyte balance, and protect the body’s organs and tissues. It also prevents fatigue, improves intestinal flora and even rejuvenates the skin.
TAKE A BREAK
If muscle pain, lack of energy, loss of appetite or dehydration are part of an everyday experience, the first thing to do is rest. A break can come in many forms. For example, it would be helpful to sleep an hour or two earlier, passing on a social engagement, or take a short five-minute stretch break in the middle of a day full of meetings.
It can be tempting to be constantly on the ball, especially when many things require attention. However, rest is not only beneficial in the short term but also crucial for success and health in the long term. According to Medical News Today, lack of sleep has been linked to poorer concentration, productivity and cognition.
If there are regular experiences of lethargy, chances are the body is giving signals to take a break. "It can be a natural signal from the body to take it easy and rest," advises Master Song.
Listening to the body and engaging in regular self-care, such as having body massages or making time to prepare a nutritious meal, are keys to a healthy and prosperous life.
In a fast-paced world like today, we often neglect the body's signals and, instead, choose to tackle the next project. However, these seemingly trivial oversights have long-term consequences.
Book a session with the lead massage therapist Songmuang Kanpon. At COMO Shambhala, our focus on holistic wellness blends contemporary science with ancient healing. Learn more about our programmes and make transformational shifts today.