After an especially busy week of work, I decided to treat myself to a Friday night hot stone massage. Usually, I only schedule massages for beach vacations. It’s a clean cut break, when I’m already in full-on relaxation mode. Yoga in the mornings, relaxing on the beach, and spa days. This was the first time I decided to sprinkle in an hour of dedicated relaxation during the regular grind. And I am so happy I did! I felt so relaxed after that I wanted to learn more. What does massage do for the body and the mind, beyond the immediate feelings of relaxation? To my surprise, I learned that getting a massage is more than a special treat to wind down, and here’s why.
Physical Massage Benefits
Massage therapy has incredible physical benefits which go beyond a moment of self-care. From relieving muscle tension to improving circulation, massage is great for your body! Here are 3 physical benefits of getting a massage.
1. Muscle Tension Relief
Through the kneading and stretching of your muscles during a massage, muscle tension can be greatly relieved. And it is relief that will last beyond the hour of your massage! This is especially helpful when knots or sore muscles are worked on.
2. Increase in Circulation
Getting a massage can actually increase your blood circulation! This has many benefits, including higher nutrient delivery, increased metabolism, and reduced inflammation. It also leads to an overall increase in the ability for your body to heal.
3. Immune System Boost
Studies have shown that regular massages can increase the activity of red blood cells, which help defend our bodies against harmful things like infection. Massage also stimulates the lymphatic system, which helps remove unwanted toxins from your body.
Mental Benefits of Massage
In addition to the amazing physical benefits massage offers, it also has many mental benefits. Getting a massage is a wonderful, dedicated moment to self-care. While it allows you to feel pampered, it can also reduce your stress levels, improve mood, and help you sleep better.
1. Reduced Stress Levels
Going to get a massage helps to put your mind at ease! Through focusing on the calming music, aromatherapy, and kneading of your muscles, massage gives your mind a break from stressful thoughts. The stroking motions that a massage therapist uses also triggers a response of relaxation in your brain, reducing cortisol levels and raising levels of endorphins.
2. Improved Mood
Resulting from feelings of relaxation and an increased level of endorphins, getting a massage can put you in a really good mood! The relaxation can help your mind feel clear and zen. The endorphins can help you feel happier and mentally lighter.
3. Improved Sleep & Relaxation
Having trouble falling asleep can be the worst! Or sometimes, you just want to relax but don’t know how to turn off your mind. Well, getting a massage can help you with both. Massages help your body reach a state of relaxation that enables you to fall asleep and maintain a better quality of sleep. After your massage, you will also likely find yourself able to enjoy a day/night of relaxation in your blissful state of mind.
Between the physical and mental benefits of massage, it is way more than a moment of pampering yourself (not that you need additional reasons to pamper yourself!) Massage has many tangible health benefits that are worth considering. Personally, massages are not something that I can incorporate into my usual routine. But when I am feeling high levels of stress over extended periods of time, it is a nice option for a self care moment to reset my body and mind. Next time you are feeling in need of a special “treat yourself” moment, I hope you will consider a massage too!