Do you make time in your day to be active? Making time for some physical activity is a necessary part of managing stress even if it is only a few minutes per day. Luckily, I did get to go to the gym for some interval training. I haven’t been able to exercise that much because detoxing from Lyme disease makes me so tired and weak sometimes. But thankfully each day is getting better and better as long as I make time to rest.
Being Active to Reduce Stress
One of the most important factors in managing stress is being active. This doesn’t mean you have to work out for 2 hours per day because really who has time for that! To be honest, intense workouts are really not that good for you. In other words, exercise is still considered stress on your body. As we get older, we need to change our workouts to meet our body’s needs.
Pick one physical activity you enjoy and start slowly.
For example, it could be as simple as going for a walk. Being in nature is extremely relaxing for the nervous system and will boost your mood as well. Let’s just say if I go without working out for too long I am extremely moody. Just ask my family 😉 Let’s face it… I am a crabby Cancer sign and in my 40’s so yes I NEED to move to help improve my mood swings!
For most of us, understanding health and disease is a puzzle. There are so many moving parts to figure out the best ways to age gracefully, stay healthy, and avoid or manage a disease. I am here to help and keep it simple for you!
The first of the Five Aspects of Whole Healthâ„¢ I am going to share with you is the PHYSICAL component. This aspect is made of the physical body which consists of systems, organs, and tissues which are all fully interdependent. The physical body is integrated through the function of our central nervous system which consists of our brain and spinal nerves. OK don’t fall asleep yet!
It is good to have a basic understanding of how our bodies work to know how to keep it going and live life to the fullest. Simply put, the nervous system allows our brain to communicate with the rest of our body. Keep that in mind. It is pretty amazing how it all works!
So be nice to your body and make it a goal to engage in some physical activity daily to stimulate that nervous system. I promise your body will thank you for it 🙂
xo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
Your journey in life will be filled with ups and downs. First, you should know that I am a big believer in EVERYTHING happens for a reason. I am positive that most negative experiences somehow turn out for the best and something good comes out of it. For all of you, half glass full thinkers listen for a minute. Believe me, I honestly am one of you but have learned to see the positive. This is not easy by any means and takes a lot of practice and extra help! I still struggle with this daily. It comes with the territory of having an Anxiety disorder. But there is HOPE!
Years of chronic pain and illness led me to my purpose and passion in life. I am a Jersey girl but have lived in Connecticut for 20 plus years. Leaving New Jersey was hard but I enjoyed going to college in Connecticut. After college, I switched gears and moved to Connecticut which is about 90 minutes from where I grew up. My path wasn’t clear coming out of college but I did know that I wanted to affect people positively.
My Journey
Soon after I graduated from college, I suffered from a low back injury and struggled with back problems for a long time. At one point, I had to take time off from work. The doctors and physical therapists couldn’t really help me and told me I had to live with the pain. This was extremely frustrating and increased my anxiety and depression. Honestly, I think I had some sort of anxiety most of my life but having chronic pain definitely drew it out even more. I was tired of not being able to participate in the activities I loved especially working out. After some time, I was stuck in an emotional eating pattern and started gaining weight.
The Turning Point
Feeling hopeless and discouraged with the traditional medical community, I needed to do something different. So I ended up going to a chiropractor and for orthopedic massage and that was the turning point. It took a while but I began to feel better physically. The emotional toll took a little longer to recover from. During this time, I met a bunch of great people who helped me. I learned that our emotions and thoughts play a huge role in our health and wellness.
I still have occasional pain and suffer from anxiety but it does not rule my life anymore. Besides that, I have Fibromyalgia, digestive issues, chronic fatigue, and also have battled with Lyme disease. It has not been an easy road but sticking to a healthy lifestyle helps a lot. Also, I generally eat a healthy diet and work out regularly. I am a spiritual person and have a daily prayer and gratitude practice and say affirmations which help me combat negative thinking. Above all, I can relate to anyone who has chronic health issues. You are not alone and it will get better!
Getting Back on Track
Once I started to feel better, I decided it was time to give back and find my purpose. I was working in the Human Resources field for a while and it just wasn’t making me happy. So I went back to school at 32 years old and became a Licensed Massage Therapist. After some time, I left my HR job and began to work at a wellness center with chiropractors and physical therapists. This experience gave me excellent training along with the hundreds of hours of continuing education I have taken over the years.
Because I wanted to make an even bigger impact, I went back to school again and became a certified Whole Health Educatorâ„¢ and Wellness Coach. Listen, it’s not so easy after 40 to be in school but it is possible and I am so happy I did it. It is NEVER too late to go after your dreams!! It’s clear now that all of the negative things that have happened helped guide me to find my purpose in life. Once again… Everything happens for a reason!
My Private Journey
Spending time with family and friends is my favorite activity outside of work. I was single on and off throughout my 20’s and 30’s which had its own challenges. At the age of 40, I met the love of my life, his 2 amazing children, and an adorable german shorthaired pointer. Being a “bonus” mom has helped me realize the more important things in life and also has challenges at times as well. My family still lives in New Jersey and New York and I have a twin brother, 2 older sisters, 3 nieces, and a nephew who I adore. My family is a great support system.
Traveling and exploring new places are my favorite things to do. The beach is my happy place! I love music and am a big country music fan among other genres. I love sports and am a New York Mets and Giants fan even when they are bad! At the top of my bucket list is a trip to Italy and Sicily because I am Italian and enjoy learning about my heritage. I hope to blog about that one day! Photography is one of the hobbies that I hope to learn more about in the future. Part of my journey is my love of learning new things and attempting to become the best version of myself.
For over 15 years, I have practiced Massage Therapy and I specialize in pain and stress management. My practice is located in a cozy town in southern Connecticut and I am blessed to take care of a group of very special people.
There is a lot more to my journey that I will share along the way. Subscribe below to receive updates and posts directly to your inbox. Until next time, keep your head up and be grateful for the little things.
xoxo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
Welcome to my brand new Lifestyle Blog! A new journey has begun. Will you join me? I am starting a blog about Lifestyle, Mental Health, Stress, and Chronic Pain. Stay tuned for my first official blog post about who I am and what I do and my purpose in life. Everyone needs support and connection especially when you are going through tough times. Believe me, I have been there, and guess what… I survived! My goal is to reach a large audience and share my professional and personal experiences.
About My Lifestyle Blog
Firstly, I hope to shine some light on how to manage stress realistically. There are ways to live with chronic pain and stress without curling up in bed and avoiding life. For example, I will draw from my education and training being a Massage Therapist and Wellness Coach. Also, you will hear about my own struggles with anxiety and pain.
The struggle is very real and not always easy and we can feel all alone at times. However, we are not meant to deal with life on our own. I am telling you today that you are not alone. Battling with health issues including anxiety and Fibromyalgia gives me an understanding of what it’s like to live with chronic illness. Between that knowledge and my experience in my career, I am able to relate. I get it!
This blog will cover many different lifestyle topics. In addition, look forward to interviews with healthcare professionals and review of books, wellness products, services, and even some travel content.
Let’s move forward together with lots of humor, a splash of tough love, and just straight up down to earth coaching and encouragement. Join my self-care community and let’s get to know each other!
xo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
