Summer has a funny way of speeding things up just as we’re supposed to slow down. Between travel plans, social events, and a never-ending to-do list, August often arrives with a full schedule and not enough time to breathe.
But here’s a gentle reminder: summer is also a time for rest. It’s a season that invites us to come back to our bodies, take deeper breaths, and reconnect with simple rituals that make us feel good again.
Let’s talk about one of our favourite summer tools: aromatherapy.

Why Scent Matters: The Science Behind Aromatherapy

The moment you inhale an essential oil, it travels through your olfactory system and connects directly to your brain’s limbic system—the part responsible for emotion, memory, and stress response. In other words: scent bypasses logic and speaks directly to your nervous system.
That’s why certain smells can calm you instantly, while others energise or transport you back to a childhood memory. It's not imagination—it’s chemistry.

Aromatherapy works by supporting:

• Nervous system regulation
• ​Mood enhancement and emotional balance
• Muscle recovery and tension release
• Temperature control and physical comfort (yes, even cooling down!)
  
  

During a massage, incorporating essential oils adds an extra layer of healing. The right scent can deepen your relaxation, shift your state of mind, or boost your energy—depending on what your body needs most.

Our Top Summer Essential Oils (And Why We Love Them)Here are three favourites we’re using in massage treatments this month—and how they can help:

🌿 Peppermint
Cooling and stimulating, peppermint is a summer saviour. It’s known for reducing feelings of heat, relieving headaches, and bringing clarity and alertness. We love using it on tired feet and calves after long, hot days.

🌼 Lavender
A classic for a reason. Lavender helps soothe anxiety, quiet a busy mind, and support deep rest. If your nervous system has been in overdrive, this is the oil for you. Perfect for evening massages or mums needing a moment of peace.

🍋 Lemon or Sweet Orange 
Bright, citrusy, and joyful. These oils are perfect for refreshing your senses and lifting your mood. They’re especially helpful in the mornings, during hormonal dips, or when the heat leaves you feeling sluggish.

Therapist Tips: What Your Body Might Be Trying to Tell You
We asked our massage therapists what they’re noticing in clients this summer—and what they recommend for better self-care between treatments.

​✨ Joshua: “Your body is always talking to you. Whether it’s tightness, low energy, or discomfort
​—it’s a request for care. Don’t wait for the pain to get loud. Tune in early.”​

✨ Anna: “So many of us, especially mums—hold tension in our jaws and shoulders without even
realising. One minute of deep breathing with lavender oil and consciously unclenching your
​jaw can shift your entire state.”​

✨ Christian: “Muscle recovery doesn’t just happen in the gym—it happens between sessions.
If you’re skipping sleep or staying sedentary, your body can’t repair. Daily movement and rest
​are more important than high intensity.”​

Your body and mind are deeply interconnected. Physical discomfort, tension, or pain can negatively impact your mood and mental clarity, while stress and anxiety often show up in the body as tightness, headaches, or fatigue.
Massage therapy helps bridge the gap between body and mind. By easing physical tension, it promotes relaxation and a sense of well-being. Many people find that after a massage, not only do they feel physically better, but their mind is clearer and more balanced too.
Taking care of your body is one of the best ways to support your mental health. Whether through movement, relaxation, or massage, nurturing both body and mind leads to greater overall well-being.

HOW DOES MASSAGE ASSIST WITH SNOOKER PLAYERS?

In the world of professional snooker, success often hinges on precision, focus, and mental clarity. While honing technical skills and practicing tirelessly are crucial aspects of a player's regimen, there are other key ingredients that often goes unnoticed: professional massage therapy is utilised beyond mere relaxation, massage plays a vital role in enhancing the performance of snooker players, helping them maintain peak physical and mental condition to excel on the green baize.

Here are a few words from some of the professional I've worked with and what they have to say:

"The convenience of Joshua being mobile, adds so much value to my time, it allows me to switch off from the stresses of every day life, his sessions give me a full reset. - 7 times world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.

"I have used the skill and knowledge from Joshua at North London Massage Therapy to help with my games, keeping calm and mentally being able to relax" - Alfie Burden 

"Over the years, the invaluable knowledge Joshua has passed on to me, has been able to prep me for a game. The routine and composure gives me the focus to win matches" - 2017 German masters world champion, Anthony "the sheriff" Hamilton

HOW DOES MASSAGE HELP WITH THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS?

• Relieving Muscle Tension: Hours spent at the table can lead to muscle tension and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders, arms, back and neck. Professional massage helps alleviate this tension, promoting flexibility and range of motion essential for executing precise shots.

• Preventing Injuries: Repetitive motions and awkward postures inherent in snooker can increase the risk of overuse injuries. Regular massage therapy addresses muscular imbalances and promotes proper alignment, reducing the likelihood of strains, sprains, and other injuries.

• Enhancing Circulation: Improved blood circulation facilitated by massage ensures efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles, aiding in recovery and enhancing overall endurance during extended matches.

HOW DOE MASSAGE HELP WITH THE MENTAL BENEFITS?

• Stress Reduction: The mental demands of competitive snooker can be intense, leading to heightened stress and anxiety. Massage therapy induces relaxation, reduces cortisol levels, and promotes a sense of calm, crucial for maintaining focus and composure under pressure.

• Enhancing Concentration: Clearing the mind of distractions and promoting mental clarity is essential for optimal performance on the table. Massage helps players enter a state of heightened awareness, sharpening concentration and decision-making abilities.

• Boosting Confidence: A positive mindset and self-belief are indispensable assets for snooker players competing at the highest level. Regular massage sessions provide players with a sense of well-being, confidence, and readiness to tackle challenges on the green baize.

HOW CAN MASSAGE HELP ENHANCE PERFORMANCE?

• Improved Cue Action: Relaxed muscles and enhanced flexibility translate to smoother cue action, enabling players to execute shots with precision and finesse.

• Consistency in Performance: By addressing physical and mental imbalances, massage therapy helps snooker players maintain consistency in their performance throughout long tournaments and grueling matches.

• Speedier Recovery: In the fast-paced world of professional snooker, rapid recovery between matches is crucial. Massage accelerates the elimination of metabolic waste products, reducing post-match fatigue and facilitating quicker recovery times.

The Conclusion...

The pursuit of excellence on the snooker table, professional players must harness every available tool to optimize their performance. Professional massage therapy emerges as a potent ally, offering a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being. By incorporating regular massage sessions into their training regimen, snooker players can enhance their flexibility, focus, and resilience, ultimately positioning themselves for success in tournaments and championships. As the green baize beckons, let professional massage pave the way for victory on the snooker stage.

​Caregiver fatigue or burnout can be corrected with a self-care treatment plan and a supportive network. When your child has physical or emotional special needs, you may struggle to maintain your own physical and emotional strength. When the hours of your days and nights are full of work, family responsibilities, and the specific needs of your children, there's a growing possibility that you'll experience caregiver fatigue. Here are some tips and resources to help you cope with the stress of being a caregiver.
 
Recognise the Signs
The symptoms of caregiver fatigue include exhaustion and depression. Ask yourself questions to recognize and evaluate your situation:

• How is your marriage? How long has it been since you went out together?
• How do you feel about parenting? Are you enjoying time with your children? Do you feel successful as a parent?
• Do you have friends or family who understand your family's needs? Is there anyone who can adequately care for your child?
• What is the quality of your sleep? Are you too tired to handle basic tasks without feeling rundown?

 
These questions and others can help you assess your mental and physical help. If the answers to these questions show a high level of fatigue, experts agree that it's important that you focus on self-care.
 
Prioritise Your Health
Parents of children with special needs often feel guilty about focusing on their own well-being. It's important to understand that neglecting your own health makes it harder for you to provide the safe, loving home environment you want to maintain. What are the obstacles you face in getting enough sleep, eating a nourishing diet, and getting physical exercise? Who can help you with those obstacles? What changes do you have control over?
 
Give special attention to the health of your home. If you’re feeling stressed and unfocused, a disorganized home could be part of the reason. Create a stress-free environment by organizing, decluttering, adding some indoor plants, and letting in more natural light. 

WHAT IS SELF-CARE? 
Self-care is essential to maintaining a sustainable, happy, and healthy lifestyle. Taking time out of your daily routine to relax and focus on yourself will allow you time to step back, reflect and become self-aware. Use this time to check-in with yourself and ask yourself questions such as;
 

• Are you happy?
• Are you anxious or feeling stressed out?
• What is going well in your life?
• What are you grateful for right now?
• Are you holding any tension in your muscles?

 
You’ll be surprised at how much you will discover by taking time to self-reflect and assess your mind, body, and soul. Mindfulness will help you identify if you’re stressed out and what exactly is causing this problem. So rather than always try to alleviate stress in your life, it’s time to discover the root of the problem. To make sure you invest in self-awareness and self-care, book a regular massage with North London Massage Therapy now. 
​

Millions of people do not get enough sleep to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A study in the USA by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) revealed that at least 60% of adults report having sleep problems at least several nights a week, and as many as 69% of children experiencing the same issues.
 
There are a variety of ways you can help to improve your sleep. Massage therapy can help improve sleep in two primary ways. The first is through alleviating stress. Stress is known to affect sleep, with massage reducing stress by decreasing cortisol (a hormone associated with stress). The other way that massage can help with sleep is by managing pain and tension caused by stress or injury. Pain and sleep loss can exacerbate one another, leading to a vicious cycle.
 
Another big factor is your diet. Try to avoid heavy or large meals within a couple of hours of sleeping. Stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine are proven to negatively affect your quality of sleep, as well as alcohol which plays a role in disrupting your sleep throughout the night. Exercise and physical activity are also important for sleep, especially regular physical activity throughout the week. Multiple studies have documented how moderate-to-vigorous exercise can increase sleep quality in adults.
 
Meditation and a healthy bedtime routine also play positive roles in helping you to sleep better. Meditation can help to reduce your levels of anxiety, whilst avoiding prolonged use of light-emitting screens just before bedtime can increase your brain’s production of the much-needed melatonin to aid healthy sleep.
 
It is important to take your sleep health seriously and commit to healthy habits in order to give yourself the best sleep you can. Poor quality sleep affects everything else, so it makes sense to invest in your sleep health in order to generally feel healthier.

Most of us will know that sleep is an essential part of our daily lives. However, how many of you know exactly why this is and what sleep actually does to help your body function?
Today you’re going to find out a lot more about your sleep than you may have once known!
 
On a basic and fundamental level, sleep keeps us alive. Without sleep, we would struggle increasingly to complete even the simplest tasks. Sleep is vital for maintaining good mental and physical health. Scientists often describe sleep as a recharging station for our bodies and minds, a way of recovering from any mental and physical exertion experienced in the day.
 
The majority of adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep, whilst children and adolescents need between eight to eleven hours. Children require more sleep as they are still in the process of growing physically and mentally, which sleep helps them to do.
 
Without enough sleep our brains struggle to work properly, affecting our concentration levels, thinking, and processing of memories. Some studies have shown that a consistent lack of sleep is linked to higher risk of certain health issues, including obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, poor mental health, as well as early death. Healthier sleeping habits can help to lower the risk of contracting these diseases and health conditions.
 
A hormone you may have heard of in reference to sleep is Melatonin. This hormone plays a vital role in your body’s sleep cycle. Melatonin is produced in the brain’s pineal gland and released into your blood stream. The pineal gland starts producing melatonin when it becomes dark and stops when it becomes light. This helps our bodies to synchronise with the natural sunlight hours of the day.
 
An internal ‘body clock’ manages your sleep cycle and is in control of both when you feel tired and when you feel alert and ready for the day. This internal body clock runs on a 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioural changes that happen within this 24-hour cycle. Circadian rhythms respond primarily to light and dark and affects most living things on earth.
 
We are primarily governed by our work schedules and alarm clocks to meet the demands of the society we live in. However, this comes at a cost. If you ignore your internal clock you can slip into bad habits and will find yourself out of sync with your body. This can lead to unhealthy sleep habits and an inability to fall asleep when you need to.

(To be continued...)

Exercise is not just important for your physical health. Research shows that exercise is just as important for your mental health as it is for your physical body. Exercising causes the body to produce chemicals, such as serotonin, which make you feel good. This can help people who struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
 
Exercise has also been shown to reduce feelings of low self-esteem and social withdrawal. It relieves tension and stress and is an effective way to boost your mood when you are feeling low. It is particularly important to continue exercising throughout the winter months. Shorter days = less sunlight, which means less access to natural sources of vitamin D. This can cause fatigue, something which exercise can help to combat, as well as helping you to get outside and expose yourself to that much needed vitamin D.
 
Make 2022 the year you take control of your health. And, as you now know, exercise is a great place to start looking after your body and your health.

Exercise is an extremely important part of daily life. Physical activity strengthens your heart and improves circulation. Proper circulation is important for ensuring enough blood and oxygen are continuously flowing throughout the body, allowing your organs to function at their best. This helps wounds heal faster and keep your brain sharp and active.
 
It goes without saying that your heart is a vital organ and without sufficient circulation, the heart must pump harder to get enough blood and oxygen around the body. Exercising also delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues, giving you more energy throughout the day. Without it, you may find you don’t have enough energy to carry out simple tasks.
 
More seriously, not getting enough exercise can be potentially life threatening in the long run. It can lead to heart disease, even if you do not have any other risk factors, as well as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
 
Exercising can have many positive long-lasting effects. Osteoporosis, a condition which occurs when the bones are weakened, can affect people as they age. Weight-bearing exercise, such as running, hiking and jumping, can help keep bones strong and is an important preventive measure against Osteoporosis.

(To be continued...)

Massage therapy encourages a chemical reaction to take place, as the therapist applies pressure to your muscles and increases the neuro-hormone known as serotonin. This chemical release makes you feel happier and also sparks your body’s natural use of melatonin, which actually regulates your sleep cycle (check out the blog below on sleep). So by choosing a massage as your form of self-care you can reduce your levels of stress as well as turn off your body’s fight or flight (stress) response which is probably what’s keeping you awake at night.