Whether you’re in the office or working from home, sitting for long hours at a desk has long been the norm in corporate jobs. However, we humans were not made to sit, especially for extended periods, and the habit can be incredibly harmful to our long-term health.  Some researchers are so alarmed they’ve coined the expression “Sitting is the new smoking,” as research finds that excessive sitting is directly linked to 6% of the impact for heart diseases, 10% for breast cancer, and 7% of type 2 diabetes. A 2017 study showed that long periods of sitting—an average of 6.5 hours for employees ..read more

If you have a surgery coming up, it’s understandable to be preoccupied with associated appointments, filling prescriptions, pre-surgery jitters, and the ins and outs of surgical prep. That all makes it easy to overlook your sense of wellness, likely putting massage far out of your mind. But you may be surprised to learn just how beneficial a preoperative massage can be. In fact, a massage before an operation is a vital component of your recovery process afterward. Let’s explore how… The Benefits of Massage Before Surgery Massage Can Reduce Pre-Surgery Anxiety Surgery can be anxiety-inducing fo ..read more

Working out doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming. There are many fun workouts that you can fit into 30 minutes or less. These workouts are a great way to boost your energy, clear your mind, burn calories, and have some serious fun, all during your work break! Here are 7 fun workouts that you can fit into 30 minutes: Pound Fitness Pound Fitness is a full-body workout that combines drumming and cardio. It’s a fun and effective way to burn calories, tone your muscles, and improve your cardiovascular health. Pound Fitness is performed using Ripstix, which are specially designed drumsticks ..read more

At some point in your life, you’ve likely been asked to rub the aching back, tight shoulders, or tired feet of a loved one. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, that likelihood may increase significantly, so here are some professional pointers for giving a great massage at home. Positioning is Key As you start your massage, make sure that both you and the massage recipient are in comfortable body positions. Ideally, you would use a massage table with a face cradle, but if that’s not handy, make sure the recipient’s body is ergonomically supported with pillows or cushions.  If they are lay ..read more

A massage is an inherently transportive and beneficial experience—you don’t need to do much but show up for it in order to reap its many rewards. But devoting a few extra minutes of time to preparing for a massage can help facilitate an even more rewarding massage experience by setting your mind at ease and allowing you to be fully immersed in the experience. Here’s how to set the stage for your best-ever massage experience. 1. Book a Top Quality Therapist Booking with Zeel? We take care of this for you, so you can skip to the next step! Credentials: Most states in the U.S. require a massage ..read more

The holiday season has come to a close, which can bring a welcome reprieve from the suits, ties, little black dresses, sparkly accouterments, and especially uncomfortable shoes that go along with holiday dress-up season. As you rub your aching feet, you may be wondering, What happened to the nice slender feet of my youth…and why the heck does my big toe hurt so much?? Friend, you may be dealing with a bunion. What is a Bunion? Bunions are bony bumps that develop on the side of the foot, typically at the base of the big toe joint—namely, the first metatarsophalangeal joint—often causing pain, i ..read more

If you’re trying to shed pounds, the formula is pretty simple: You need to burn more calories than you consume, thereby creating a caloric deficit. And while diet can play a dominant role in this equation, choosing the right workouts can make a world of difference, too. And with so many different types of exercise to choose from, it can be tough to know which ones are the best for your goals.  If you have even an occasional workout routine, chances are you’re doing at least one of the two most common types of exercise: cardio workouts and strength training. But which is more effective in ..read more

Are you an athlete, gym buff, working mom, stressed-out dad, wellness junkie, desk jockey, dancer, golfer, road warrior, or back pain sufferer? Do you have a daily relationship with your Peloton? Or a nightly struggle getting to sleep? If you’re any of these things—or you just need to make time for yourself—dear reader, you need regular massage. And the Zeel Massage Membership was made for you. How Does the Zeel Massage Membership Work? Zeel’s Massage Membership is a wellness subscription for one 60-minute massage per month at an exclusive discount—up to 25% off our standard rat ..read more

Reflexology is a practice often associated with massage. One can find it offered as a distinct modality, or as an add-on to a regular massage…but what is reflexology exactly? Reflexology, sometimes referred to as “zone therapy,” is a bodywork practice that involves applying specific pressure on certain reflex points or zones of the foot, hand, or ear. The hands, feet, and ears reflect an image of the body and applying pressure to specific points causes a change in part of the body targeted.  The mechanism at work during a reflexology session is unknown. Some reflexologists posit that the ..read more

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but the holiday season is a notorious stress-stravaganza for many of us. The dizzying array of demands—from gifting expectations to travel logistics to managing family while also staying on top of work—can feel like a vice grip on an otherwise festive season. Left unchecked, stress can snowball well beyond a jingle bummer and lead to serious conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune diseases. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to managing stress at home, at work, during travel, and all the moments in ..read more