Could you use a massage? A lifestyle quiz

We’ll admit it right now: no matter how you score on this quiz, we’re going to say that you could certainly use a massage because everyone can benefit from a massage. The purpose of this quiz isn’t just to let you know you could use a massage, however. It’s also to help you uncover some of the lifestyle factors that might be contributing to unhealthy body habits- or to let you know what you’re doing right! We’ll also analyze the ways in which massage can benefit you according to your lifestyle analysis.


I would describe myself as mostly:

A.Sedentary by choice. I don’t move if I can help it, and there’s nothing I hate more than exercise.

B. Sedentary out of necessity. My job doesn’t allow me to get much exercise, and after work, I don’t have the time, although I wish I could do more. Maybe someday I’ll be able to make exercise a part of my life.

C. Active by choice. I love to be active whenever I can, and I’m in pretty good shape.

D. Active out of necessity. I have a physical job and or a physical family, so I’m always moving, but I don’t particularly enjoy it. I wish I could spend more time relaxing, but at least I’m physically fit.

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2. At this moment, I can perceive tension:
A.nowhere.
B. everywhere.
C. In a few typical places: my neck, lower back, or legs.
D. In my neck, back legs, joints, but it feels more like pain. I ache all over!

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3. This is how I feel about my job:

A.It pays the bills for now, but I don’t plan to be in this field forever.
B. Love it, love it, love it! It’s my dream job.
C. Whenever I wake up in the morning and think about going to work, I get the most oppressive feeling and immediately feel stressed- but once I’m there, it’s not always so bad.
D. If I could possibly get by with quitting, I would do so in second- and boy would I love to tell off my boss!

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4. My personal relationships are mostly:

A.Pretty satisfactory. I have lots of friends, although I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking too personally to them. I get along well with most members of my family.
B.All give and no take. I’m the one everyone comes to with their problems, but I don’t feel comfortable taking my problems to anyone. I’m supposed to be the rock.
C. Very fulfilling. I have a few very close friends who are always willing to listen my family is supportive and loving. I feel emotionally rich when I think about my friends and family.
D. Horrible. I often feel isolated. People aren’t comfortable confiding in me, and I don’t feel like I can confide in anyone. I have acquaintance but I wouldn’t call them friends. People probably have no idea how lonely I’m because I would never reveal my feelings.

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5. When I’m happy, my body:

A.Usually feels great. Feeling healthy and in-shape makes me feel happy.
B. Is the last thing on my mind! I’m happiest when I’m not thinking about my body- in fact, thinking too much about it is sure to bring me down!
C. Takes the day off. I’m happiest when I’m completely relaxing, pampering myself, taking it easy.
D. Is happy? Happiness sounds vaguely familiar… I think the last time I was really happy was when I was a kid. Back then, I was really “in” my body, but now my body is foreign and uncomfortable to me.

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6. When I’m stressed, my body:

A.Tenses up in a few characteristic places, like my shoulders or my neck.
B. Gets restless, telling me it needs to exercise to blow off steam.
C. Gets sick.
D. Wants nothing more than to curl up and go to sleep.

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7. I probably touch other people:

A.Multiple times per day. I have a very affectionate family.
B. Several times per day. I kiss my partner good-bye and hug my kids before and after school. I shake hands or give little hugs to close friends when I happen to see them.
C. Rarely. Touching makes me uncomfortable.
D. Once or twice a day in fairly formal manner, such as a handshake, a congratulatory slap on the back, ruffling the hair of a cute kid. But these days, you cant be too careful- touching can get you in trouble!

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8. strength- wise, I consider myself:

A.Basically a big wimp, but most of the time, I don’t mind too much.
B. Pretty darned buff!
C. I think I used to have muscles somewhere.
D. About average, I guess. Not so weak that I feel impaired in any way, but I don’t lift weights or anything.

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9. When I look in the mirror, I usually think:

“A. One of these days, I’m taking down all these mirrors so I don’t have to inflict this kind of suffering on myself!”
B. “hmm, no movie star, but pretty good, considering!”
C. Remember when fonzie on happy days looked in the mirror to comb his hair, then put the comp away because he realized how perfect he already looked? That’s me, baby!
D. How on earth did I get to look so (old) (fat) (grey) (wrinkled) (dumpy)?

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10. If I could go back in time and change one thing about my life, I would:

A.Have chosen a career that makes a whole lot more money. I never have enough and its my main source of stress.
B. Take a risk to achieve my dreams. I’ve taken the easy and safe route most of my life, and I feel I’ve missed out on a lot of excitement and opportunity.
C. Find my soul mate. My personal relationships aren’t very fulfilling.
D. Start the whole thing over again because I did it all wrong.
E. Keep my past completely intact. I’ve had a good life, and I don’t have any serious regrets.

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SCORING: give yourself the appropriate number of points according to your answers: