The rainy season has now arrived in earnest here in the Kanto region.
Around this time of year,
• A heavy head
• A sluggish body
• Fatigue that is hard to shake
• A low, unrefreshed mood
• Trouble staying focused
are the kinds of discomfort many people notice.
It is said that the balance of the autonomic nervous system may be behind these issues.
The Autonomic Nervous System and the Rainy Season
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that automatically regulates breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, sleep and more.
Our bodies stay in a steady state while adapting to changes in the outside environment, such as temperature and air pressure.
During the rainy season, however, low pressure and shifting humidity continue day after day, so the body is constantly working to adapt.
As a result, the autonomic nervous system is placed under greater strain, which is thought to lead to
• A heavy feeling in the head
• Lethargy
• Stiff neck and shoulders
• Reduced concentration
and similar issues.
In addition, long stretches of rainy days can mean less physical activity and more time spent at home, which may be another reason our condition tends to slip.
It May Not Just Be Your Body; Your Brain May Be Tired, Too
Today we are surrounded by information from smartphones, social media, email, chat and more.
Even when we have time to rest our bodies, we often have surprisingly little time to rest our brains.
The brain makes up only about 2% of body weight, yet it is said to use about 20% of the body’s total energy.
For this reason, ongoing work, relationships and information processing can often leave the brain even more tired than the body.
During the rainy season in particular, the added strain on the autonomic nervous system can bring fatigue you normally would not notice to the surface.
Looking After Your Condition in the Rainy Season
At this time of year,
• Adding light stretching or a walk
• Soaking in a bath instead of just showering
• Making sure you get enough sleep
• Setting aside time away from your smartphone
These kinds of conscious recovery habits are important.
Many people also use dry head spa as a way to refresh and look after their condition.
Taking unhurried time while caring for the head, neck and shoulders can also be a chance to reset both mind and body.
Recovery, the La HEAD Way
At La HEAD, we believe it is important not only to “rest once you are tired,” but also to “reset before fatigue builds up too much.”
Your performance at work, in household tasks and in your hobbies depends greatly on the condition of your brain as well as your body.
That is why people today may need to consciously make time to relax and time to think about nothing at all.
Drawing on many years of hands-on experience and knowledge of the body gained at an osteopathic clinic, La HEAD treats not only the head but also the neck, shoulders, back of the head and arms.
Our guests have told us:
“My head feels clear.”
“My vision seems sharper.”
“My body feels lighter.”
“I was able to relax deeply for the first time in a long while.”
These are some of the impressions guests share with us.
Precisely because the rainy season is a time when discomfort comes easily, why not make some time to check in with your own condition?