Hong Kong is hardly Antarctica during winter, but it's all relative. When the average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius drops by 10 to 12 degrees we huddle around the heater.
Cold spells here may not last as long as they do in Europe, but many Hong Kong homes and offices are not built to cope with a dip in the mercury, so the cold tends to give our bodies a bit of a shock.
But according to those in the know, improving circulation and lymphatic flow can help us fare better in the coming season.
'Massage naturally and thoroughly increases not only the circulation of blood within the tissues of the body, but also the movement of the lymphatic system,' says registered massage therapist Jenny Woolsey Harris of the Sutherland Chan Centre, a group that employs only accredited therapists and offers therapeutic treatments.
'This circulation increase gives a lovely sensation of warmth, which is especially pleasing in winter,' says Woolsey. 'Massage warms up muscles on a molecular level, dramatically decreasing the chance of injuries and muscle strains and pains.'
Massage is a sure-fire way to relax physically and mentally. Couple long winter's days with the ongoing financial crisis and a dose of escapism and calm may be the key to getting through. And despite the credit crunch, the results of a recent survey by the International Spa Association (ISPA) suggest that spas have been unaffected.
