| The widely known stress reducing benefits of | | | | close proximity to others can be a challenge when |
| therapeutic massage are spurring a movement | | | | trying to stay healthy. A depressed immune |
| among learning institutions throughout the U.S. to | | | | system leaves students at an increased |
| provide students with access to chair massage, | | | | vulnerability for contracting bacterial and viral |
| especially during exam weeks. Students at high | | | | infections, which can cause missed classes and |
| schools and universities are being treated to chair | | | | other serious concerns. Massage has been |
| massages, full body massages and other | | | | proven to support immune system function by |
| relaxation techniques as part of an ongoing effort | | | | aiding the lymphatic system in removing toxins |
| to educate young people about the benefits of | | | | from the body. The increased circulation that |
| stress management. | | | | massage provides helps to deliver nutrients to |
| Exam weeks are notoriously stressful for | | | | muscles and tissues, keeping the body healthy |
| students, as the exam generally comprises a | | | | and working efficiently. |
| significant percentage of the course grade. It is | | | | Insomnia is also a common problem among |
| not uncommon to spend full nights studying, and | | | | students. Many students try to stay alert by |
| this can cause a loss of mental focus as well as | | | | consuming large quantities of caffeine or other |
| exhaustion. Extensive research has proven that | | | | substances during prolonged periods of studying. |
| massage is effective for calming feelings of | | | | This disrupts normal sleep patterns, leading to loss |
| anxiety and reducing stress. Massage can also | | | | of mental focus, feelings of anxiety and physical |
| improve mental clarity and stimulate creativity, | | | | exhaustion. Massage has been proven to be |
| which can be helpful when taking exams. | | | | effective in treating insomnia by activating the |
| Stress levels among young people are reportedly | | | | relaxation response and improving circulation. |
| at an all-time high. Increased levels of stress are | | | | Massage also reduces anxiety, which is a major |
| believed to be a major factor in the onset of | | | | factor in developing insomnia. |
| depression, which can interfere with studies and | | | | Students all over the country have been taking |
| have more severe consequences if left | | | | advantage of the benefits of massage when it is |
| untreated. Many learning institutions are offering | | | | made available to them. Many have reported |
| massage therapy to students as either a | | | | that a short massage has an immediate impact |
| complimentary service or at a reduced rate in | | | | on their stress level and that the positive effects |
| order to help them control their stress in a | | | | last well after the massage is over. |
| non-destructive manner. | | | | Administrators are taking note and are increasing |
| The negative effects of stress on the immune | | | | offerings of massage and other relaxation |
| system have also been extensively studied and | | | | techniques to keep students physically and |
| documented. Living in close quarters and being in | | | | emotionally well cared for. |