Stress is present in everyone’s life, whether it’s from work, managing your household, or battling traffic. The body reacts to this constant stress by producing an unhealthy buildup of the “stress hormone” cortisol, which can lead to sleeplessness, headaches and even digestive problems. One of the best ways to deal with and prevent the negative effects of stress is by developing a regular self-care routine.

Although we often look at self-care tools like massages and facials as an unnecessary indulgence, regular usage of these services is actually a critical part of your overall wellness.

In honor of National Relaxation Day on August 15th, Massage Envy’s wellness professionals and partners have shared some of their best relaxation and self-care tips to help you reboot your self-care routine.

Make Self-Care a Daily Habit

” 77% of people in the United States regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress. Stress can zap our productivity and sometimes even make us sick. The irony is, that what’s causing our stress–the pace of life and the never-ending demands–are the very things that keep us from doing something about it. We’re busy taking care of business, and for many of us, self-care is one of the first things that come off our list. I think that’s a big mistake and comes with a heavy cost, which is why I dedicate time every day, to taking care of myself no matter what’s going on. The point is to make it a daily habit.”

–Joe Magnacca, CEO of Massage Envy

Make the Most of Your ‘Me-Time’

“Whenever I get a massage at Massage Envy I like to enhance my session by adding a CyMe Boost serum. These highly concentrated formulas are mixed in with the massage oil or cream and deliver skin enhancing benefits to the entire body. By adding this one small addition to my massage session I am able to take care of my skin, mind and body at the same time.”

–Beth Stiller, Chief Commercial Officer of Massage Envy

Adjust your wellness routine based on your stress level.

“If a client is going through a particularly stressful time, I like to recommend that they come in for a massage every week if possible. This will help limit the physical effects of stress since regular massages have been proven to decrease cortisol and get us back to balanced.”

–Melissa Johnson, Lead Massage Therapist, Massage Envy

Take Time to Breathe  

“Breathing seems obvious but sometimes when you’re stressed your body forgets to breathe normally. Taking a second to do some deep breathing naturally relaxes your muscles and in turn, your mind.”

–Hailey Ostrom, Professional Golfer & Massage Envy Ambassador