Often times, parents get caught in the hustle and bustle of daily routines: preparing meals; driving to work and school; volunteering for PTA functions; attending after school activities; explaining the why and why not of instructions given to children; reviewing homework; budgeting household finances; and more. The perpetual list goes on and on, yet parents rarely have time to stop and take a break. Imagine how much more demanding these routines can be for the single parent.

Spending long days and longer nights interacting with the family and the outside world is tough. Countless moments are surrendered to attend to the needs of everyone and everything else around you. Sleep is disrupted or dismissed. General aches and pains are often ignored. Meals are even occasionally sacrificed to arrive at a destination on time or to ensure that all the children are satisfied at the dinner table. Rarely does a parent take the time to attend to his or her own self-care.

These small sacrifices can lead to larger problems, like insomnia, anxiety disorders, chronic fatigue, poor nutrition, and muscle tension. Moreover, mental and physical ailments can effect how parents interact and care for their children. Think about the severely depressed parent who struggles to get dressed in the morning. How much more difficult must it be to care for someone else? When a parent does not feel well, the hub of the family life slows significantly. Sometimes, it stops. Taking time to listen can be the first step in the right direction. You hear your boss talking. You hear your children talking. Do you hear your body talking too?

Receiving routine massages can help parents reduce some of the negative effects of stress and strain. Massage is known to encourage relaxation and support the natural ability of the body to heal. Some of its common benefits are reduced anxiety, greater range of motion, pain reduction, increased metabolism (i.e. how the body uses energy), and detoxification. Research studies have also documented the benefits of massage for pregnancy, preterm infancy, arthritis, behavioral problems, hypertension, sexual abuse and other areas of health. When applied properly, therapeutic touch between a massage therapist and a client, or simply a parent and a child, can encourage positive, healthy effects.

Here is the best part: massage is no longer a distant dream or exclusive privilege for the wealthy. It can be accessible and affordable for almost anyone! Most chair massages are as low as $1 per minute, and full body massages can start as low as $40 per hour. These services are rendered by trade schools, independent massage therapists, chiropractors offices, spas, and other areas. Finding an option that works best for you and your budget is as simple as picking up a telephone directory, surfing the internet, obtaining a referral from your doctor, or asking your employer to start a wellness program that includes on site massage.

So, when you hear your boss talking, and you hear your children talking, be sure to hear your body talking too. Respond with a massage. It can be a wonderful sanctuary for any parent in need of solace.

Cassandra Harmon operates the massage therapy practice, BodiTalk Massage. She is a single parent and a massage therapist in the Atlanta Metro area. The challenges she has faced in raising a special needs child and undergoing her own healing journey from physical and emotional pain are being overcome with the help of massage therapy.

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