Even though January is the true start of the Western calendar, we think of September as a time for a fresh start, even (or especially) if we’re no longer in school. It has been ingrained in our minds for 18+ years of schooling that fall is the “beginning of the year.” In the spirit of new beginnings and back to school season, consider establishing some healthy goals and tweaks to your overall wellness routine this autumn.
One of our favorite methods of maximizing healthy habits (though admittedly we’re a bit biased) is Zeel’s in-home massage membership. This wellness subscription gives you one massage per month at a deeply discounted rate (up to 30% off regular rates), as well as a luxe welcome gift if you join at the Member Plus level. The best part? You can book as many massages as you’d like at that same member price, and even share your massage credits with family and friends.
Here are 15 ways to make the most of your Zeel massage membership this fall.
Stay accountable
Maybe you’re training for a 5K the morning of Thanksgiving. Or perhaps you’re joining a 30-day fitness challenge like this contest from the Bachelor’s Chase McNary. Keeping a consistent wellness routine is crucial in the fall — especially when things get busy at work and your healthy summer habits fall by the wayside. Schedule a massage as a post-workout reward. Not only will the scheduled massage session promote flexibility, endurance, and after-workout healing, it will motivate you to exercise in order to receive your massage bonus.
Shed belly fat
Nothing will take the place of diet and exercise if you want a toned body, but one additional weapon you can keep in your fitness arsenal is regular massage therapy. Yup, you read that right. The human body stores fat – specifically around the stomach area – when you have high levels of cortisol and stress levels. A New York Times study reported that deep tissue and light Swedish massage can lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol, thereby decreasing the chances of your body storing extra belly fat. Keep your beach bod through the holiday season and beyond.
Get better sleep
Now that summer is over and your workload is kicking into high gear, chances are your sleep patterns are out of whack. How can you ease yourself into hibernation season? Regular massages have been proven to promote more restful sleep by resetting your circadian rhythm. Get an in-home sleep massage before bed at least once a month and lull yourself into a peaceful slumber. On November 5 when the clocks fall back, you’ll be able to make the most of that extra hour.
Take back your nights and weekends
Summer Fridays are over. The kids are back in school. And when you look at a calendar, it feels like every weekend is booked solid through the end of the year. You deserve some “me” time to recuperate. Reclaim the weekend, and treat yourself to a relaxing massage at home. Fun fact: The majority of Zeel in-home massages are booked on Saturdays and Sundays, and nearly 70% of massage bookings occur after 5pm. And since there’s no such thing as “surge pricing” in the Zeel therapist network, you can book when it’s best for your schedule – 365 days a year, anytime between 8am and midnight.
Ease Q4 stress
Pulling late nights and weekends at the office? Sounds like you need to massage away some tension. If you’re frazzled at work, it’s possible that neck and back pain from sitting at a desk all day is one of the causes. Massage therapy can treat those symptoms instantly. We can’t promise it’ll lighten the workload, but getting a regular massage has been proven to reduce stress and improve morale in the workplace. Give yourself the productivity boost you deserve.
Save money for holiday shopping
One of the perks of a monthly subscription is getting a discount on something you’re already doing regularly. Zeel’s massage subscription is a great value. If you’re a massage enthusiast, and tend to get a massage once a month or more, it’s a no-brainer to reduce that recurring cost by 15-25%. This saves you some dough as you sock away savings for holiday shopping season.
Automate your Christmas gifts
Did you know you can share your Zeel membership as a gift for family and friends? There are three ways to take advantage of this member benefit.
- Share your member discount with anyone in your location. Book an in-home massage for your wife, husband, sibling or best friend.
- If for some reason you didn’t use your massage credit by the end of the month, you can give that entire credit to someone else. Order through your own Zeel account so they’ll never know the massage was discounted – you’ll just look really generous.
- Put your unused member credits toward a Zeel gift certificate. Your credits never expire, and they roll over into the next month if you don’t use them, so you could be racking up quite a hefty present.
De-stress during family visits
The holiday season means having family over – which isn’t always a joyously stress-free event. Especially when the in-laws start talking politics. The key to your sanity may involve sneaking off for an hour to get an in-home massage. Because you’re a Zeel member, you’re already entitled to one 60-minute massage per month, built in. Save this credit for when you need it most, and go into battle dinner stress-free. If you’re hosting a particularly stressed-out family member, consider giving them the massage credit to calm them down (see previous section).
Embrace the great indoors
We New Yorkers aren’t the only ones who dread the annual deep freeze. Many residents of the Tri-State Area and dozens of other U.S. cities harbor an aversion to the cold. It’s in our blood – why do you think birds migrate south? As the air starts to get chillier this season, don’t sulk inside. Embrace the winter weather and adopt some new indoor activities – like cozying up by the fire, warming your soul with a hot chocolate, cooking, or hosting a DIY spa day. Zeel has your back for all your in-home relaxation needs. (So hygge!)
Refresh your body and mind
The brain is a powerful engine. Changes in mental health can directly affect your physical health, and vice versa. With World Mental Health Day taking place on October 10th, and National Massage Therapy Awareness Month throughout October, what better reason to focus energy on improving both physical and mental wellness? Regular massages help reduce stress and improve mood, which will send feel-good signals to the rest of your body. Massage also helps remedy physical pains and stiffness in the back, neck, and arms – leading to a happier mind. It’s a win-win.
Celebrate game day
For many, fall means football – fantasy leagues, Sunday Ticket, and cheering on your team with close friends (or rivals). You might not be able to throw a ball, but you can get a massage like a pro athlete. Did you know you can get the same sports massage trusted by some of the NFL’s finest, delivered to your home? Zeel members have access to all the core massage modalities that we offer nationwide, including sports massage, Swedish and deep tissue, at the same low member price. So if you want to live vicariously through your favorite player’s training regimen – or if you pulled a muscle from high-fiving too hard – consider a Zeel sports massage at halftime.
Reward yourself for doing the hardest job in the world
Those who have kids or are soon-to-be parents already know this: parenting is tough. You deserve a break. With September being the most popular month to give birth, there is a strong demand for prenatal massage around this time of year. Luckily, pregnancy massage is available 365 days a year to Zeel members, with start times as early as 8am and as late as 10:30pm. Plus, after your baby is born, massage can be a mom’s secret weapon – helping with postpartum recovery, kid-carrying back injuries, and the everyday stresses of parenting.
Cure seasonal depression
Is the change of seasons making you feel sluggish? Does your sciatica act up this time of year? Or is the lack of sunlight when you leave the office simply making you not-so-chipper? Not to get too spiritual on you, but the autumnal equinox can have very real effects on the body. If you’re feeling thrown off this September 22nd, a regular massage might just be the cure for your inevitable seasonal depression.
Take a mini-vacation, on demand
As fall activities ramp up, and the days get shorter, it can feel like life is getting exponentially hectic. Whether it’s the holiday season stressing you out, managing the elaborate schedules of your offspring, or the end-of-year rush to the finish line, it’s important to take time to relax. Stop. Breathe. And give yourself a one-hour vacation from the daily grind, in your own home. Better yet, do it every month at the member price.
Become a Zeel Member.
