The business of stress relief

Whether you're working part-time, full-time, or overtime, it's nice to have one less item on that to-do list. Local businesses have taken the cue and now offer services to help relieve the stress of everyday life.

Monica McLain, owner and massage therapist at Time Well Spent in Cape Girardeau, offers chair massages right in the workplace. While some people pay individually for the service, others receive them as a treat from their employers.

"If employees are healthy and not stressed to the max, their productivity will increase and the company will see a higher profit," McLain explains. It's also good for employees to get out of their regular work environment and take a break once a week or month, especially if they're looking forward to the massage, says McLain.

According to McLain, a 10 to 15 minute massage will help lower the heart rate and blood pressure, relax a tight neck and back, lower anxiety, enhance concentration and productivity, and create an overall healthy work environment. Employees will feel revitalized and see an immediate result in their neck, shoulders and lower back.

McLain will bring her massage chair and soothing music to the office, set up in an empty conference room, dim the lights, and give the massages while employees are still fully clothed. She adds that she's seen a growing demand for this type of service in the last few years as people are becoming more educated about massage therapy and the importance of relieving stress. At Time Well Spent, located on North Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, McLain also offers body scrubs and wraps to detox, exfoliate and hydrate the skin; reflexology and spa reflexology; and ear candling.

Comfort Keepers will help with anything from laundry to meal preparation to grocery shopping. The only requirement is a minimum of two hours per week, says owner Sherry James. The business is based in Cape Girardeau but serves people from Ste. Genevieve County down to the Missouri Bootheel.

Comfort Keepers serves all types of people, but is especially helpful to the elderly and disabled, or to their caregivers. James says that the best way for caretakers to "maintain their sanity" is by having time to themselves.

"People tell me how wonderful this is, they don't know what they would do without us," says James. She adds that, according to the AARP, 6,000 people are turning 65 each day, and in another three years, 10,000 people will turn 65 each day. Eighty to 85 percent of them will want to stay in their own home.

"There's a need for this service because people are aging. We're trying to help these people the best we can," says James, who was inspired to do this after caring for her own grandmother for 10 years. "I would have benefited by having another person to help with companionship and taking her to the beauty shop. I saw a great need to help the primary caregiver, so I bought the business."

Other businesses, like Broadway Prescription Shop, offer free delivery within Cape Girardeau city limits. Ken's Cape Cleaners will also pick up and drop off dry cleaning orders at no extra charge.

Relieving stress at work

Monica McLain, owner and massage therapist at Time Well Spent in Cape Girardeau, offers her ideas on relieving stress at work.

1. Take a short break to stretch or do yoga poses.

2. To calm and relax both mind and body, practice deep breathing techniques, or belly breathing, throughout the day. Breathe in deep through the nose, then exhale slowly through the nose.

3. Consider aromatherapy. McLain recommends oils or candles in calming scents like eucalyptus or spearmint. Lavendar is soothing, too, but use this one carefully — it could make you sleepy.

4. Take a short break to go outside, even if it's a cold day. The fresh air will awaken and rejuvenate you, says McLain.

5. Leave the office during lunch and take a 20-minute walk. You'll come back feeling refreshed and ready to focus.