Technologically-advanced devices can be hard to figure out if tech isn’t your thing. And, unfortunately, that fear of being overwhelmed by technology can steer you away from using tools that would make your life infinitely better. Some people see anything with an LCD remote and think, “Not for me. I remember last year’s ‘Surround Sound Incident’ all too well…”

Rather than having tech-anxiety, it’s important to understand that there are two types of device users: Tech-Intuitive and Research-Savvy.

Tech-Intuitive

Tech-Intuitive Users tend to integrate ever-evolving technology into their daily lives. They can easily navigate and operate most devices, because they’re engaged with the process of tech evolution. It should come as no surprise that these types of users can use any Human Touch massage chair with ease. They easily navigate through auto-massage programs, like “Energize” or “Relax,” or create their own massage program and save it for future use. More likely than not, they find it enjoyable to explore the different capabilities of each massage chair and may even try a different massage each time they sit in one.

Research Savvy

Research-Savvy Users are folks who generally read through owner’s manuals or quick guides to navigate technology. As Gretchen Rubin, New York Times #1 best-selling author of The Happiness Project, says about instruction manuals, “Why should I expect to operate something without learning anything about it?”

Some people seem to think that reading the directions is discrediting, but we all learn how to do things differently. Human Touch user manuals are easy to understand, come in multiple languages, and get you from the Power Button to a Zero-Gravity Massage in a few easy steps.

In order to demonstrate a new user experience, we had a tester try out a few different massage chairs using their owner’s manuals to help navigate the various functions. Here is what he said:

iJOY® Active 2.0 Massage Chair

“This chair seemed pretty straight forward. I was easily able to recline back and get started in an auto-massage program that I liked, since there were minimal buttons to navigate through. I didn’t really feel the need to use the owner’s manual, but it was nice that I could flip through the massage benefits it listed while I relaxed in the chair.” 

Bali Massage Chair

“The Quick Start options were easy to navigate through on the remote, and once I was more confident with the other options, I moved into Auto Immersion section on the remote control. These options ended up being pretty user friendly because they had descriptions of each different technique right there for me to read. I wasn’t sure how to adjust the calf width, but it showed an easy-to-understand diagram in the owner’s manual. I really liked that the owner’s manual also listed out intensity levels for the different Auto Immersion Programs, and descriptions of each of the Targeted Techniques. This made it easy to figure out which massage selection was best for me.”

ZeroG® 5.0 Massage Chair

“At first, I was a little overwhelmed by the remote control, since it has a lot of buttons and even has buttons on the side of it. However, this ended up being a really user-friendly remote due to the BodyMap PRO feature. It had a diagram of the human body, and I simply pressed a button wherever I wanted to feel relief. Everything else was really self-explanatory and I was able to select the massage intensity, recline position, and leg extension just by pressing one or two buttons. I actually enjoyed reading the manual because it talked about massage benefits, and it also clearly explained every button on the remote.”

NOVO Massage Chair

“I started this one in Demo mode just to get the feel of it, and really loved how it cradles you like a rocking chair while you’re getting massaged. The remote was really simple to navigate, and I tried a few different auto-massage programs until I found one that I liked the best. The great thing about all of these chairs is that I can try out one style of massage and if I don’t like it, I can switch to something else right then and there. Once my massage was finished, the chair put itself right back into a regular seated position and turned itself off. It was great.”

We’re all at different expertise levels when it comes to technology, but there’s no reason to be intimidated by it. The great thing about Human Touch massage chairs is that you can navigate technology through the way it makes you feel, and try out the different settings to fit your own unique needs. If you still struggle to understand something, you can always call the Customer Experience department to answer your questions and get you on the right track.

So, whether you’re Tech-Intuitive or Research Savvy, it’s easy to Feel Your Best. For more information on our Human Touch massage chairs, call our Customer Experience team at (800) 355-2762, or go to https://www.humantouch.com/.

Human Touch®, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they will be sharing several new products at the 2017 Spring High Point Market on April 22nd-26th. This must-see event is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, and brings in more than 75,000 people to their semi-annual events.

The Human Touch showroom will be located in suite 300 on the 3rd Floor of the Furniture Plaza, where they will be showcasing their new ZeroG® 3.0 massage chair. This new addition to their zero-gravity recliner collection provides a remarkable full-body massage using a Smart 3D FlexGlide® massage engine to simulate the expert techniques of massage professionals. Additional features of the ZeroG 3.0 massage chair include adjustable intensity 3D massage, a single-touch Go To Zero® button for easy neutral-posture seating, four targeted muscle benefit massage techniques, and a fully-encompassing and extendable foot and calf massager with under-foot rollers.

Additional products to be shown in the Human Touch showroom include:

*The NEW Novo XT massage chair, which increases oxygen-rich blood to tired, sore muscles in order to restore a natural sense of well-being. The Novo XT's distinctive unibody design follows a unique L-track that massages the entire back, from the top of the shoulders all the way down to the glutes, and its space-saving design requires only 2" of wall clearance in order to pivot seamlessly from the upright to the reclined position.


The Novo XT also features full-body stretch, Bluetooth speakers, lumbar heat, cloud touch acupressure, zero-gravity massage and an extending foot-and-calf massager. With 34 auto wellness programs and an easy-to-use LCD controller, the Novo XT massage chair is endorsed by the World Federation of Chiropractic as an optimal way to improve spinal health and relieve overall stress. Novo XT upholstery options include Black, Red, Gray, Cream, or Brown SofHyde.

*Three of Human Touch's bestselling Perfect Chair recliners will be presented in the showroom, including the Omni-Motion Classic (PC-610), Omni-Motion Silhouette (PC-600), and Classic Manual Plus (PC-420). Each of these Perfect Chair options feature extended armrests, adjustable lumbar support, and are fully customizable with premium leather, top-grain leather, and SofHyde upholstery options, as well as a variety of solid wood-based finishes. Additional upgrades of Memory Foam PLUS and Jade Heat offer enhanced comfort and health benefits, and the many accessory options allow the chair to be customize to the user's preference.


Inspired by NASA, each Perfect Chair places the body into a doctor-recommended, neutral-gravity position -- with the feet above the heart -- to alleviate pain and stress from the neck and vertebrae, which is caused by earth's gravitational pull on the body. This provides improved relaxation, reduced stress and better sleep quality, among other important benefits. It is this advanced design that earned the Perfect Chair Omni-Motion Classic (PC-610) a nomination for the prestigious 2016 Pinnacle Awards, which celebrate the form and function, innovation, consumer benefit, and the retailer/manufacturer benefits of today's most influential furniture designs. It was also the recipient of a 2016 Design Journal Awards for Design Excellence (ADEX), the largest and most prestigious awards program for the architectural and design industry.

"We're really looking forward to the Spring High Point Market," said Peter Theran, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Human Touch. "Our ever-expanding line of zero-gravity recliners is always a crowd favorite, and we can't wait to share our new ZeroG 3.0 massage chair with visitors to our showroom. We're also thrilled to return with our Novo XT, which was a huge success at the Fall show. Attendees have come to expect that our showroom is the best place to find wellness solutions that not only make people feel better, but enhance the style of any room décor. This year they will continue to find just that."

About Human Touch

Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for more than 35 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today's hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.

Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they will be sharing two new wellness solutions at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, March 18-21. This marks the second year that Human Touch will be exhibiting at the show, and the sold out event is expected to draw more than 62,000 attendees from over 125 countries. Human Touch will be exhibiting in Booth L12759 with two new wellness solutions, as well as several of their best-selling products.

Featured products on display in the Human Touch booth will include:

*  The NEW Novo XT massage chair, which increases oxygen-rich blood to tired, sore muscles in order to restore a natural sense of well-being. The Novo XT’s distinctive unibody design follows a unique 3D L-track that massages the entire back, from the top of the shoulders all the way down to the glutes, and its space-saving design requires only 2” of wall clearance in order to pivot seamlessly from the upright to the reclined position.

The Novo XT also features full-body stretch, Bluetooth speakers, lumbar heat, cloud touch acupressure, zero-gravity massage and an extending foot-and-calf massager. With 34 auto wellness programs and an easy-to-use LCD controller, the Novo XT massage chair is endorsed by the World Federation of Chiropractic as an optimal way to improve spinal health and relieve overall stress. Novo XT upholstery options include Black, Red, Gray, Cream, or Brown SofHyde. The Novo XT will also be displayed in the New Product Showcase onsite at the show.  

*  The NEW iJoy Foot massager incorporates a life-like foot massage that delivers the very latest in massage technology. The patented robotic mechanism uses powerful under-foot rollers and two auto-massage program options to rejuvenate tired feet, forcing blood away from the feet and toward the core of the body to improve circulation. This portable, easy-to-use foot massager incorporates reflexology, a popular holistic and complementary therapy that benefits and improves general health as well as relieving stress and pain in other parts of the body. The iJoy Foot will also be displayed in the New Product Showcase onsite at the show.

*  The iJoy Foot massager pairs perfectly with any color of the iJoy Active 2.0 massage chair, making this compact option a great way to experience a full-body massage. The iJoy Active 2.0 uses FlexGlide® orbital massage to replicate the techniques used by massage professionals to relax and recharge your body. It offers three intelligently designed, invigorating auto-massage programs, as well as three massage technique options. An accessible strap provides easy recline, and the tethered remote control ensures that your perfect massage is close at hand. The iJoy Active 2.0 features a compact, sleek design and is available in Espresso or Bone SofHyde upholstery. 

*  The Reflex4 Foot and Calf massager uses patented Figure-Eight® Technology to circulate blood from the feet toward the core of the body, allowing fresh nutrients to re-enter the calves and feet for greater healing and soothing comfort. It features adjustable tilt and a CirQlation® massage that delivers the very latest in three-dimensional, robotic technology. An on-board control console allows you to select from two auto-massage programs, and adjustable tilt enables you to find the perfect angle for optimized comfort.

*  The Reflex6 Premium Foot and Calf massageroffers a relaxing and soothing massage, sure to elevate your state of comfort. In addition to many of the same features of the Reflex4 Foot and Calf massager, the Reflex6 offers patented Warm Air® Technology and foot vibration settings to further relax the calves and feet for a penetrating massage. Removable and washable Easy Sleeves® also allow you to simply unzip the sleeve inserts and throw them into the wash for a refreshing massage experience, every time.

“We’re excited to introduce our newest massage solutions at this year’s International Home and Housewares Show,” said Peter Theran, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Human Touch. “In addition to some of our most popular existing products, we will be debuting our most advanced massage chair yet - the Novo XT. This revolutionary wellness solution is different than anything else on the market, both in unique aesthetics and in cutting-edge technology. It will be showcased in our booth alongside our new iJoy Foot massager, which offers a portable and convenient massage solution that can be used in any home or office location.”

I’ve owned 3 Human Touch massage chairs over the past 30 years, and I believe that these chairs have saved my life.

I’ve worked as a contractor for my entire life, which has led me to a variety of back problems. In the early 1980’s I was diagnosed with Asbestosis, which is a lung disease that results from the inhalation of asbestos particles. In 1982 I had surgery to remove one of my lungs. This surgery left me with only 60% usage of my other lung because of the growing scar tissue over the asbestos, which means that I have a limited oxygen flow throughout my body. My doctors gave me 2-4 years to live.

After visiting the chiropractor for years, and finding comfort in both the adjustments as well as the accompanying massage therapy, my wife and I decided to purchase a massage chair for our home. We wanted something that would not only be physically effective, but also would look good in our family room. We did not want a big, bulky chair that would look like a spaceship!

We researched Human Touch and found that the reviews were really great, so we bought a chair from a local furniture store. In the mid-80’s, $5,000 was a lot of money to spend on a chair. People thought we were crazy for spending that kind of money, but once we compared what we COULD have spent on chiropractic massage care and related medical costs, we knew it was worth the investment.

We had our first Human Touch massage chair for 20 years, during which it was used several times per day, before it finally gave out. We bought a new chair at Relax the Back, and had that until the very end of its warranty, which was when the airbags stopped working properly. Human Touch sent a technician out to our house, and we were told that they would take the chair back to headquarters to repair it. Within one week, they decided to just go ahead and replace the whole chair with a brand new (and improved model) massage chair. We were thrilled.

Recently, we reached out to Human Touch to see if we could get another massage chair replacement. After sending them an email, we received a call from their Operations Manager, Mr. Brian McAneny, who called on his way home from work. He invited us to come out to the headquarters the following day to try out some massage chairs, which I felt was very accommodating as it allowed us to experience and peruse the chairs that would meet my requirements. After trying out a few of their massage chairs, we decided to get the AcuTouch 9500x model, which is the updated version of the chair I’d been using for the past 20 years. My wife also really liked the Reflex6 Foot and Calf massager, and we purchased one of those as well. We were so grateful for all the time that Mr. McAneny gave to us during this whole experience.

I use my Human Touch massage chair 2-3 times per day, and it helps to ease the pain caused by the scar tissue in my back and rib cage. Since my diagnosis and surgery, I have been taking supplements and taking care of myself better by doing using my massage chair- and I believe that these actions have saved my life- enabling me to function at a much higher level and extend my life. Since my oxygen flow is limited, my blood flow is increasingly important as it distributes oxygen throughout my body. Using my massage chair increases my blood flow, and using the foot and calf massager in my massage chair has greatly improved the circulation in my calves and feet. My wife and I have shared this experience with our friends, as well as hospice nurses, over the years- and many of them have purchased their own massage chairs as a result of seeing how life-changing it has been for me.  We can’t thank you enough for everything that your massage chairs have done to improve our lives.

Thank you,

Ray Orlando
California

One of the questions that I get asked pretty constantly is how I am able to keep surfing most everyday at my semi mature station in life. In other words, “How does a geezer like you stay out there all the time?” I should preface this to say that it is normally other geezers who are asking this question. When you are young you don’t even think about it, you just do it and there are little or no physical consequences. Geeze, I remember being able to surf all day, like 10 hours, and then woof down a half gallon of ice cream before heading to the dance. Hahaha, ok I just realized that sounded just like the “and I walked ten miles through the snow to get to school and didn’t even have a pair of shoes to wear,” kinda thing. But, you get the idea. When you are 20 your body just keeps going and you don’t think about it. When you get a bit older you start to get sore, your body aches, you get tired and you start feeling like it might be a good idea to “take a recovery break today.” I see guys missing really good days because they are sore and their body just hurts too much to give it another go. This is something I try to avoid as I hate missing good days. At my age you don’t want to miss anything, I mean ya just never know.

So, here is my little guide on how to keep an older surfing body in tune so that you can surf as much as possible without pain. First off, don’t let yourself get fat like I am because it makes it that much harder on yourself. I must like it to be hard because I stay fat, but I really do not recommend it. One key to staying in the water is to pace yourself time wise in the water within what you feel good with. Sometimes it is not so much how long you surf but more how hard you surf while you are out there. If you go out and sit there for 2 hours and only ride a few waves, socializing and trying to pick up babes, it’s not as much of a workout as if you surf hard for one hour, riding a ton of waves and going for it. Know your threshold as far as endurance. It is when you push past it that your body really gets angry and you pay the price afterwards. When you start getting noodle armed it’s time to go in.

Secondly, it is super important to stay hydrated. Make sure you drink some water before you surf and have some on hand after you get out. Even though you are in the water your body needs fluids. This is especially true when surfing in the tropics or warm climates. Coffee, cokes, beer and all that stuff does not hydrate you, just the opposite. Drink a lot of water or some sort of hydrating drink like Gatorade etc. This is very important to muscle recovery. If you get a lot of cramps it never hurts to take a pinch of salt here and there too.

I am a firm believer in massage and I think the older you get the more important it is to help your body come back from strenuous activity, like surfing. It also helps get your body ready for it, much like stretching and yoga. A massage a day can work wonders on keeping you surfing. Of course for most people getting a massage everyday is impossible, either for the expense or just the time it takes out of your day or night. Years ago I got one of those great massage chairs that you sometimes see in stores and like to sit in and wish you had one at home. It is a HUMAN TOUCH massage chair that is made by a company called; you guessed it, Human Touch, out of Long Beach. It feels like a real person and it is fabulous. A few minutes in the morning just before I paddle out to loosen me up a bit, a short sesson after surfing and 15 or 20 minutes in the evening is a perfect massage chair daily regime. I can’t even come close to telling you how great this is for my old geezer body and I strongly recommend one.

If you want to stay in the water as much as possible and you are middle aged or older you might want to consider my little suggestions here. If you feel good you keep the stoke. And if you have the stoke then you paddle out. Simple deal.

Deciding to purchase a Human Touch wellness solution is an easy decision, but transporting it home can be daunting. Some of our massage chairs weigh over 275 lbs., which might not be quite what you’re benching at the gym. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to ship your chair to your home or office so that you can start enjoying it.

Threshold Plus Delivery

With the Threshold Plus Delivery option, your chair will be shipped to its final destination by two trained service providers. Prior to delivery, these experts will let you know when to expect them within a 4-hour window, in which they will unload the packaged chair just inside of your preferred building entrance or doorway for you. Many of our products are already assembled, but a few of them take some minor assembly to attach pad sets or headrests. Assembly is not included with this delivery option.

White Glove Delivery

With lighter chairs, Threshold Plus Delivery might be the best solution for you. However, with some of the larger massage chairs, you may want to consider taking advantage of our White Glove Delivery option. With this delivery system, our team will not only bring the chair to your home or business, but carry it into whichever room you prefer (within the first level of the building). They will then unpack the product for you, fully assemble it, and connect it with the nearest power source. If there is any debris or packing materials left over from the unboxing process, they will tidy up the area for you so that you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy your new wellness solution.

As an added bonus- White Glove Delivery is offered as a free service with all Ascent Series massage chairs, as well as a number of other elite massage chairs. You can also take advantage of White Glove Delivery with any of our other wellness products for an additional charge. 

By: Dr. James Rouse, Naturopathic Physician and
Human Touch Wellness Council Member

Full disclosure and absolute vulnerability here…have you ever been too tired to keep running but at the same time you felt too scared to stop? I know in my heart that you and I most always have the most powerful and sincerest of intentions to allow for the space of grace to envelope us on demand. Yup, every day we assemble our “to do” list and maybe, just maybe, we courageously insert our self-care towards the end of that long list as an “honorable mention” in the hopes that we may just make it happen. 

Then life happens.

No doubt, we are living under the influence of “not enough-ness”. Not enough time, energy, mindfulness and presence. At the end of our daily decathlon we often times find ourselves feeling like we may let ourselves down… again. From there, we can go to the familiar place of finding all the reasons why we missed ourselves… again. Or, we can courageously choose to begin again, right here and now with a self-love, self-care intervention: wellness at the speed of life.

“Oh my, this sounds a bit self-indulgent… a little too self-absorbed…” I get it. How dare you place your SELF at the top of your “to do” list?

How dare you not?

Your ability to rise up each day and create a life you love - one that is awake, present, balanced and fully open to the highest expression of you is fully dependent on your ability to - openly and with enthusiasm - love yourself well-all day long.

Here’s some fun food for thought:

Massage Anywhere: planes, trains and automobiles. Make your commute a moving massage meditation. You will arrive more peaceful, balanced and ready to rock your success. Got lunch? Feed your mind and body the blessing of moving from stressed to blessed… the courageous move from being the human doing to re-claim the human being is done with your Human Touch iJoy Massage Anywhere. Make room for your afternoon delight. As stress hormones love to rise up with each and every email, voicemail and social media engagement, you can lower the drama and raise the positivity while you marinate in massage from your desk, meeting, soccer-mom-dad bleacher seat. All good. Always. 

If you’re on the fence as to whether or not you can make the move to the greener pastures of peace, positivity and all out contagion, let me leave you with this: as you make your way into each day living under the influence of your self-care love affair the world will be watching. “They” will follow your lead, you will be a change agent, you will be the leader of the revolution- and you thought this was all about you. Rise and shine wellness warrior!

By Laura Gaskill, Houzz
Photo By: Gabriel Holland Interior Design, original photo on Houzz

So often we look forward to the weekend, but once it arrives, it gets swallowed up by errands and chores — and before we know it, it’s over. That hardly seems fair! If you’re ready to reclaim your weekend, begin by shifting your thinking and consider your weekend a “mini retreat” — a well-deserved opportunity to rest and recharge. And while not every weekend lends itself to this relaxed approach, even when life throws you a super-packed weekend, pulling even a few ideas from the list that follows can help slow things down enough that you can catch your breath and savor the abundance around you.

Gabriel Holland Interior Design, original photo on Houzz

Morning Ideas

Start your weekend off right by savoring your first cup of coffee (take it outdoors if the weather is agreeable) and using this moment to simply breathe and relax, without feeling the need to check your phone or fire up the laptop. Instead, pick up an old school pencil and paper and make a list of things you would love to do and (equally important) things you don’t want to do over the weekend. Really dreading the weekly cleanup session? Consider calling in a cleaning service, even if these chores are something you usually do yourself. If you must clean, plan to set a timer and get it out of the way as quickly as possible.

Scoop up armfuls of blooms. What could be more cheerful than flowers all around the house? If spring is blossoming where you live, all you may need to do is walk out to your garden and start snipping away. If it’s still cold (or you don’t have a garden) stop by a market, farmstead or flower shop and treat yourself to some beautiful blooms. Once you get home, trim the stems a bit (a fresh cut makes it easier for the flowers to drink water) and place them in vases of fresh water immediately. But don’t stop there — even if you bought just one bouquet, you can get more out of it by pulling out a few blooms to fill bud vases. Place a bud vase beside your bed, on the bathroom sink and in the kitchen to spread good cheer throughout your home.

Take a neighborhood stroll or bike ride. How much have you really explored your neighborhood? Take a walk (bundle up if you need to) or bike ride if it’s a lovely day, and set out to discover something new. Your eventual destination could be your local farmer’s market or a favorite neighborhood cafe or shop, or you could simply wander and explore, taking inspiration from the houses and gardens you pass.

Dafne Vijande, original photo on Houzz

Set up your own spa-like accoutrements. When you come in from your walk or bike ride, refresh yourself by making a pitcher of fancy water with slices of lemon, orange or cucumber and sprigs of a fresh herb like mint. Pour yourself a tall glass and sip it while paging through your favorite coffee table book.

Refresh your living space. If decorating is your cup of tea, put on some music and spend some time restyling your living room. There’s no need to buy a thing — just challenge yourself to be creative and work with what you have. Sometimes moving things from room to room, putting up some new art (you can always pull from your stack of family photos) or pulling a few textiles out of hiding are all that’s needed to give a space a fresh look. Of course, if shopping is on your agenda, it’s your weekend to do what you like — but consider checking out a small, local shop or flea market instead of hitting the big stores, as you never know what treasures you’ll come across (and it’s surprisingly satisfying to stay close to home).

Related: Trending Decorating Ideas for the Bedroom

Invite friends over for tea. When was the last time you got together with a few friends just to chat and catch up? Having tea together is a lovely, low-pressure way to host a gathering, since all you really need is a selection of tea and enough cups to go around! Teatime treats are always nice, but they can be simple — good cookies from a box along with a bowl of berries is totally fine. No need to bake scones from scratch (unless you want to). 

Sand Design, original photo on Houzz

Afternoon Ideas

Think of the transition from morning to afternoon as a natural time to pause and “reset” your day. If something came up in the morning — soccer practice, errands — make this your chance to reboot your weekend and intentionally choose to relax and enjoy the rest of the day.

Picnic in the backyard. Whether you stopped by the farmer’s market on your morning stroll or are using what you have on hand, keep lunch simple and fresh. Think crostini with tapenade, crunchy veggies sprinkled with a bit of flaky salt, a prepared whole grain salad and a bowl of berries for dessert. If the weather is good, why not pack up your lunch and head out to the backyard? Everything tastes better in the fresh air! And if it’s rainy or cold, simply relocate your picnic to the dining table, and warm up with the addition of hot soup and mugs of tea.

Sneak away for an afternoon soak. Taking a leisurely bath in the afternoon feels luxurious, improves the spirits and helps release any lingering tension from a long week. If you have fragrant essential oils or fancy bath products you’ve been saving, now’s your chance to use them.

B Jane Gardens, original photo on Houzz

Read, journal and daydream. Whether it’s a sunny window or a backyard hammock, choose the best seat in the house for getting lost in a good book. Take along a journal and pens in case you get inspired to write down your thoughts — and if you’re not sure what to journal about, making a “things I’m grateful for” list is always a winner.

Kindle an old flame. Did you always love photography, art or poetry? Whatever your passion, take a little time-out to explore what sparked your interest in the first place. Pull out your old sketchbook and draw for 10 minutes; take a neighborhood walk with your camera; write a poem on the first scrap of paper you find — it doesn’t have to take up much time to feed your old flame, and it’s worth every second.

Kristy Noble Photography, original photo on Houzz

Evening Ideas

Unlike on a weeknight — when you’re probably already tired from your workday — after a day of rest, relaxation and creativity you should be feeling renewed and ready to have some fun. Make an official start to your evening hours by putting away the to-do list and setting aside your devices.

Put on your favorite music. Music, more than just about anything else, has the power to quickly shift our mood — so put on an album that lifts your spirits. If you have records, play DJ and curate a stack of albums to play throughout the evening. If you’d rather let someone else do the curating for you, try one of the many new online music streaming services … or invite a friend with great taste in music to come over!

Shabby Chic Style Dining Room, original photo on Houzz

Plan a vacation-inspired dinner. Whether it’s impeccably fresh fish in the Caribbean, tender Maryland crab cakes, a lobster roll within view of the beach in Maine or a warm and comforting meal in a tiny Italian trattoria, on vacation, dinner is often an event — something to really look forward to and savor. Whether you decide to cook or order in, choose something for dinner that captures the excitement of being away. Set the mood with music, candles and good friends or family to share the experience with.

Serve aperitifs or digestifs outdoors. So often it’s the little things that elevate everyday life into something special. One way to do that around the nightly meal is to change the venue before or after dinner (or both). Serve aperitifs (before-dinner drinks) and small nibbles in the garden before the meal, or head out onto the patio after dinner for a digestif surrounded by candles and strands of lights.

David Wood, CEO of Human Touch and Relax The Back, in front of the new building in Long Beach.
Photo credit: Business Journal's Larry Duncan

LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Human Touch®, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they — along with Relax the Back® Corporation, franchisor of back and neck specialty retail stores — have moved their corporate headquarters to a newly-constructed office building in Long Beach, California. Both companies are subsidiaries of Interactive Health, Inc. and will operate out of this new industrial building, located at 4600 East Conant Street, Long Beach CA 90808.  The building features 110,940 square feet of office and warehouse space with new systems and amenities to suit each company’s growing business needs. This relocation will keep the Interactive Health corporate headquarters within the city of Long Beach; a city to which they’ve held a longstanding commitment for growth over the past 38 years.  

“It’s been fantastic to welcome both Human Touch and Relax The Back into this new, state-of-the-art building,” said David Wood, CEO, Human Touch and Relax The Back. “These two companies have enjoyed a close relationship for more than 20 years, and with this new shared space we will be able to engage one another on a deeper level to advance our commitment to high-quality wellness and back-care solutions.”

The new corporate headquarters was officially completed in July 2017, and was built to custom specifications to provide work spaces that are modern, energy-efficient, and comfortable.  The two-story building hosts multiple creative, open-concept work spaces, as well as two glass-walled meeting spaces, contemporary-designed offices, 12 dock high doors, and a large product showroom. Employees will also be able to enjoy several lounge areas, a spacious kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, an exercise room with bicycle- and treadmill-desks, and a recreational area with both a ping pong and a pool table. This building is part of a 263 acre master planned development, and is also equipped with water-conservational upgrades, ESFR fire-safety sprinklers, and close access to both the Long Beach Airport and the Port of Long Beach.

Phone and fax numbers for both companies will remain the same.

For any additional inquiries regarding this new corporate location, please email marketing@humantouch.com

About Human Touch

Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for more than 38 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today’s hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.

About Relax The Back

Relax The Back is North America's largest specialty retailer of products that relieve and prevent back and neck pain with almost 100 franchised stores in the U.S. and Canada. Back Care Consultants are trained in ergonomics and spinal health to properly assess each client's needs. They provide back care education and products to improve spinal health and increase comfort throughout the day and night. Relax The Back straddles the boundary between health care and retail working with many medical professionals who refer their patients to us to help solve their postural challenges. Find information about the company and its products at www.relaxtheback.com.

There isn’t any way to possibly say thank you properly to Human Touch so in lieu of that I would like to share my experience of what a difference this has made in my life. My story was heard by a member of their wonderful company and I was blessed with the most amazing gift of the Human Touch ZeroG to help me on my journey to remission.

I have Systemic Lupus Erythematous which is more commonly known as SLE and is the most serious form of Lupus. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body because the immune system mistakes the body's own tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them. What this means is that by virtue it can affect the skin, mouth, brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, muscles……any body part you can think of, Lupus can attack.

I was diagnosed more than 20 years ago and after a few difficult years I lived for the most part free of Lupus, at least from the debilitating kind of symptoms and damage. About two years ago the disease went into a fully active status and took what had been a very active lifestyle and brought it to an abrupt halt. I currently take more than 50 pills daily, go for monthly infusions at the hospital, see multiple specialists, and holistic care is part of the regimen as well. The initial diagnosis was Lupus of the brain with neurological involvement. What this meant for me was extreme fatigue, fevers daily, rashes,  balance issues, and muscle cramping that feels like I have 100 “Charley Horses” all happening at once. There is no cure and at times it feels like I am most certainly living inside the impossible. 

Then I met my chair. This is where healing happens every day for me. The first time I saw it I was shopping for a new recliner with my family at a local furniture store and I sat in it just to wait for the salesperson. I immediately started crying, almost to the point of sobbing. The instant relief was something that words can’t describe. These tears were tears of joy!

It would be impossible to say that I have a favorite setting because it’s not uncommon for me to use several of them every single day. The foot and calf massager is a must with every session. And I always “Go To Zero” before I choose my massage. My typical day involves 3 visits to the chair.  One to get me going in the morning, one to keep me going mid-afternoon and one to calm before bed. I tend to tuck myself in when I’m in the chair.  I like to have a small pillow on each side and have a blanket over me so that I’m cocooned in it. The quest for wellness takes an emotional toll as well and I’m not stretching it to say that being in this chair feels like a mom’s hug. I love this chair! So much so that my extended family went on vacation together recently and the chair traveled with us!!

When I first began using it I thought of all the sick people I know that could benefit from it and what I found is there is no single person without an ailment whether it’s physical or emotional that this chair wouldn’t benefit. I was paying $80 every other week for a therapeutic massage. After I started using the chair I no longer needed to make the appointment because my chair can do so much more and it doesn’t get tired! I am a portrait photographer and I run my business out of my home. Because of this my clients often come and stay for quite a while. My favorite thing is to nestle them into it and watch them beg me to never go home!  

I am grateful to the entrepreneur that believed enough in the quality of life to see this to fruition and the team that supported the venture. This chair has quite literally saved my pride, doubled my daily potential both professionally and personally, and given me a quiet retreat when I'm unwell. It is my personal slice of heaven on earth. 

-Becky H., Michigan