SHINING ON
Hot vs. Cold: Why Both Have Benefits for Your Body
At the Detox Den, we’re all about helping your body reset, recharge, and feel its best. Two of our favorite tools for that are sauna heat and the cold plunge. Each one does something different for your body, and when you combine them, the results can be even better. Let’s break it down.
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When you step into the sauna, the heat works wonders:
Relaxes your muscles – warmth helps release tension and stiffness.
Boosts circulation – your heart rate increases, moving fresh blood and oxygen throughout your body.
Sweat = detox – your body naturally pushes out built-up waste through your skin.
Stress relief – the heat calms your nervous system, leaving you relaxed.
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Taking the plunge might feel shocking at first, but the benefits are worth it:
Reduces inflammation – cold water calms sore muscles and joints.
Speeds recovery – athletes use it to bounce back quicker after workouts.
Wakes up your body – the cold gives you a natural energy boost.
Boosts immunity – some studies suggest cold exposure can strengthen your defenses.
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Now, here’s where it gets exciting — when you switch between hot and cold, your body gets a whole new level of benefits:
Circulation boost – the hot makes your blood vessels expand, the cold makes them contract. Going back and forth pumps your blood like a workout for your circulatory system.
Faster recovery – muscles and joints recover more quickly from the alternating temps.
Mental clarity – the contrast sharpens your focus and leaves you feeling energized but calm.
Stress reset – the combination helps balance your nervous system, which can improve sleep and overall well-being.
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Traditional saunas heat the air around you, which then warms your body. Infrared saunas work differently — they use light waves to heat your body directly, from the inside out.
That difference matters because:
Deeper penetration – infrared warms your muscles and joints more directly.
Lower temperature, same benefits – since your body absorbs the heat, the air doesn’t need to be as hot, making it easier to stay in longer.
Extra detox support – the deeper heat encourages a stronger sweat, which helps your body flush out waste.
Gentle but powerful – it feels less overwhelming than a super-hot traditional sauna, but you still get all the benefits (and more).
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Everyone’s body is different, so listen to how you feel — but here are some general guidelines:
Sauna (Infrared or Traditional):
Most people stay 15–30 minutes. With infrared, you might feel comfortable staying in a little longer since it’s a gentler heat.Cold Plunge:
Start small — even 1–2 minutes is great when you’re new. As you get used to it, aim for 2–5 minutes.Switching Between Them:
A common flow is 15 minutes sauna → 2–3 minutes plunge → repeat if desired. Even one round leaves you feeling amazing.
Quick Note: What Are Light Waves?
When we say “light waves,” we’re just talking about forms of energy that travel in waves — like sunlight. Some kinds of light we can see (like colors of the rainbow), and some we can’t see. Infrared light is invisible to the eye, but you can feel it as heat.
That’s why an infrared sauna feels warm without needing the air to get super hot — the invisible light waves gently warm your body directly.
Self-care should never be an afterthought. Explore our memberships, join the Den family, and give yourself the gift of feeling balanced, refreshed, and renewed — every single month!
Is Your Purse Causing You Pain?
is your bag causing you pain?
learn how massage can help
Carrying a bag on the shoulder causes contraction and overuse of the muscles, usually in the trapezius. The depression of the opposite shoulder causes curvature in the mid spine. Along with the spinal misalignment, the consistent contraction causes a major distortion in ones posture.
Massage therapy helps relax the overworked muscles and by breaking up the knots, realigning, muscularly, the shoulders, neck and back.
In between massage sessions, here are somethings one can do to decrease the tension:
clean out your bag regularly to decrease the weight
ditch the bag from time to time
choose a bag with two straps, like a bookbag, to evenly distribute the weight.
switch to a messenger bag or a bag with wider straps
alternate shoulders
Call Shine On Massage to re-align that posture!
910.508.9383
Valentine's Day Specials! Deals So Sweet, You'll Love Them!
There’s only one week away from Valentines Day!
Do you have a special gift for your loved one yet?
Here are some deals that are so sweet, you’ll <3 them!
60 min. Shine On Massage
3 for $180
90 min. Shine On Massage
3 for $270
60 min. Couples Massage
3 for $390
90 min. Couples Massage
3 for $550
Book your massage in advance and receive complimentary
bubbly, roses & sweets
2/12 - 2/16
Just a Reminder - Why Shine On is the Best!
We just waned to give a friendly reminder of what we include every time anyone books a massage with us
Hot Stones
They are always provided on the back & they help loosen muscles.
Hot Towels
Given on back and feet & it elevates relaxation with the warmth.
Aromatherapy
The diffuser is always running & whiffs of peppermint are provided throughout.
Cupping
Offered upon request & is beneficial due to a vacuum effect, drawing toxins out.
Be Your Best YOU With Massage
New Year - New You
There is always something promising about the freshness of another January. It is the New Year and things feel good. We want to encourage the feeling of goodness and abundance with a reminder of just how wonderful massage is for you and for everyone.
Here is some advice from us:
Massage helps reduce the appearance of cellulite
Lymphatic flow allows the body to flush toxins, decreasing chances of illness
Increased blood flow helps the muscles to be more pliable, increasing sense of well-being and decreasing chances of injury
Massage helps lower blood pressure (If your family stressed you out over the holidays)
It is also a natural release of serotonin and dopamine making massage an anti-depressant
This is how you can be your best you. Why wait when when you have the answer to becoming a vibrant, positive, and a flexible being.
Call us at 910.508.9383 or click the “Book an Appointment” tab above.
We love you all & Happy New Year!
Shine On
Need a Christmas Gift? No Worries, we got you!
Give the gift of relaxation this holiday season with Shine On Massage.
We have come up with a couple deals that will sure knock Santa’s Socks off.
Get two separate Couples Massage Sessions for 60 minutes for only $250. (Save $50)
Get (2) Shine On Massages for only $120. (Save $30)
The Deal lasts until Christmas Eve.
We can wax seal them and even mail them if you need. We can also overnight it.
Call 910.508.9383 or go to
https://squareup.com/gift/2JRKQXK84TVS9/order to buy an e-gift Card.
Happy Holidays!
Black Friday Deals!
Hello you lovely people!
We are super happy to be announcing our Black Friday Deals that will last from Monday, November 19th to Saturday, November 24th!
They make great gifts for not only your loved ones, but you too! Treat yo Self!
Muscle Tension Caused By Trapped Emotions
Do you ever wonder where you feel your feelings and why? Check out this blog to find out!
Muscle Tension Caused By Trapped Emotions
Emotions are often an overlooked element in overall muscle tension. Usually, stress is the main word used when describing ones tension but it is a general term. Below describes what and where it means to feel your feelings. Check it out!
1. Shoulder Tension = Burdens and Responsibilities
When we feel weighed down by the stress of life, we tend to accumulate these feelings within our shoulders. Ever heard the expression “carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders”? Shoulder tension seems to be intimately linked to social and emotional responsibilities, including unconsciously carrying the burden of other people’s pain. As such, many empaths, healers, and caretakers struggle with chronic shoulder muscle tension.
2. Neck Tension = Fear and Repressed Self-Expression
Neck tension is often connected to throat chakra issues such as the inability to communicate clearly or be your authentic self around others. Fear and anxiety are also frequently stored in this area, particularly as a physical response to danger (as the neck is a vulnerable area) or strange environments. Neck muscle tension is also related to trust issues.
3. Upper Back = Grief, Sorrow, and Sadness
Unexpressed and unreleased sadness tends to build up within the upper back region. As this area is close to the heart, it is also where emotions connected to heartbreak and loss are stored. For instance, if you carry around grief regarding a loved one or your family at large, you will likely feel tense in this area.
4. Middle Back = Insecurity and Powerlessness
Healing traditions such as reflexology link middle back pain to feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and insecurity. If you’re feeling unsupported by other people or life, you probably carry tension here.
5. Lower Back = Guilt, Shame, and Unworthiness
Lower back issues often correlate with feelings of low self-worth and lack of self-acceptance. Feelings such as guilt, shame, and even sexual inadequacy or trauma can be stored here as well.
6. Stomach = Inability to Process Emotions
The expression “I can’t stomach it” appropriately describes stomach muscle tension. If your stomach feels stiff or sore, you might struggle to process both negative (and even positive) emotions.
7. Inner Thighs = Fear of Vulnerability
Are you nervous and untrusting around other people? If you struggle with social anxiety, you might also have inner thigh pain. Because our legs are biologically programmed to run when we first spot danger, fear towards others is often stored here.
8. Outer Thighs = Frustration and Impatience
How fast do you live life? The more quickly and mindlessly you live, the more likely you have frustrated and impatient energy stored in your outer thigh muscles. Our jobs and personal lives can also contribute greatly to muscle tension in this area.
9. Buttocks = Anger and Rage
How often do you have to deal with people who are a “pain in the bum”? Anger and suppressed rage are often stored in the buttocks. Pay attention next time you feel your head boil: is your but tensing up as well?
Now since you have that knowledge, here is how to heal and release those trapped emotions:
Allow yourself to “feel it to heal it.” One of the easiest ways to let go of muscle tension is to actively feel and let go of emotions when they come. Of course, this is not always possible, so at the end of every day, make sure you allow yourself the space to feel the emotions you’ve had through the day. Feeling these emotions might involve crying, punching or screaming into a pillow, or any other form of catharsis.
Adopt an attitude of non-judgement. When we judge our emotions as something “bad” or “wrong,” we actually deepen our suffering and solidify the tension within our muscles. Instead, simply realize that an emotion is an emotion. It doesn’t need to mean anything about you unless you let it.
Be gentle with yourself. Muscle tension tends to add to our negative inner voices which cause us even more tension. To break this cycle of the body feeding the mind and the mind feeding the body, be kind towards yourself. Treat yourself as you would a child or best friend. This practice is a simple but profound way to relax.
Stretch your muscles. Do simple stretches or try yoga to relax your muscles. Even just five minutes a day is beneficial.
Breathe deeply. Shallow breathing causes a restriction in air, blood flow, toxin removal, and increased anxiety. Deep breathing stimulates the vagus nerve which calms the mind.
Get a massage. Book with us at Shine On. Online booking is available or call us at (910)508-9383. Complementary Hot Towels, Hot Stones, and Aromatherapy with every session,
Meditate. Meditation is a great way to become more present and conscious of muscle tension as it arises.
Sources:
https://lonerwolf.com/muscle-tension/
Shine On & Shining On
We are hoping to return to Wilmington by Tuesday since I-40 has been closed until Monday.
There has been a lot of damage in Wilmington - Wrightsville Beach is under 2 feet of water, there are multiple trees down and the power is still out.
We will continue to keep everyone posted.
Shine On!
Stay Safe For Hurricane Florence
With Hurricane Florence slowly approaching, all we can do hope that the damage is low, the flooding subsides, and power is restored.
Cameron and Layla have since evacuated to Raleigh.
Shine On will keep you posted on upcoming post- hurricane deals!
Stay Safe & Shine On!