Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/77424
reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), which are drugs like Prozac. Also, follow any dosing instructions on the label. If you're still having trouble getting a good night's rest, consider your sleep environment. Make sure the room is dark and quiet. Use a white noise machine or earplugs if the space around you tends to be noisy. Avoid strenuous exercise or a loud, scary movie before bed and focus on more sedative activities. Do things to relax and unwind from your day like reading (nothing work-related, though), pet your dog or cat, or soak in a hot tub. It's time to leave the day behind and rest. Also avoid excess alcohol at night; it is a sedative, but it may disrupt sleep and cause dehydration. Our minds seem to be our biggest obstacle to going to sleep. Often when we lay in bed, with the dark and quiet, it gives our mind free reign to run rampant. We dwell on our day, worry about tomorrow, wonder if what we did was wrong, question our choices for the future, or simply lie there and do work in our heads. We ponder our to-do list or try to solve that one last problem. We have to find a way to shut off that thinker and relax. However, this is the toughest barrier to sleep because the mind can be like an unruly child. What's the solution? As I see, there are two options: shut up and sleep, or get up and work. I don't think it's bad to get out of bed and deal with things. To lie for hours thinking about something is pointless; get up and finish the paper, write stuff down, make a list for tomorrow, or check to see if you actually made the deposit in the bank. These things are just going to drive you nuts if you don't do them, so go do them and then return to bed. If it's not the worries of the day keeping you awake, just get up and distract yourself, read your book until you're tired, do a Sudoku—anything to take your mind off the work. Finally, train your brain to help you fall asleep at night. We can only think one thing at a time. So, if you are thinking about something negative or work-related, change the thought to something else. This is what counting sheep is all about; it distracts the mind from repetitive thoughts. I like to use affirmations for this. If I find something is bothering me, I'll change the thought to "I fall asleep quickly and easily" or "I awake feeling refreshed." This not only distracts you from the problem thoughts, but also programs the body. Remember the importance of the mind-body connection and the fact that you are the boss of them both. PREVENT BURNOUT We've eliminated things that are bad, added in some things that are good, and improved our sleep. What's next? Let's talk about the health of our business and how it relates to us. I've been doing massage a long time and I've seen my colleagues burn out, get injured, and just plain get sick of this profession. I've learned some things over the years that may help you have a long and healthy career. First off, make sure you schedule time for you. It's really easy to fill every open spot in your appointment book with clients, paperwork, and emails. Leave some room in that schedule to get some bodywork yourself, take a walk, or have lunch with a friend. You have to schedule yourself into your day, just the way you do with every other client. Between clients, make sure you have enough time to handle the things you need to accomplish. Is 15 minutes Check out the film The Future of Food to learn more about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and what we can do to fight them. The World According to Monsanto is another informative film; Monsanto is the largest company in the world that patents genes and produces GMOs. earn CE hours at your convenience: abmp's online education center, www.abmp.com 41