When should you get a relaxing massage? Well, if you’re looking for other reasons aside from wanting one then read on to learn more.
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9 Reasons Why You Should Get Relaxing Massage Therapy
1. You’ve Been Really Working Hard Lately
If you’re one of the millions of hard-working career men and women sitting in desks for long hours, the chance of you developing postural stress is high.
This typically shows in the neck and shoulders, but advanced forms of postural stress can manifest in the lower back and the glutes. Blame prolonged sitting for this one.
Aside from postural stress, there’s also the risk of getting repetitive motion injuries. Performing daily repetitive tasks can harm our hands, wrists, neck, and back.
Getting a massage from time to time can alleviate these discomforts and prevent them from getting worse.
And of course, being tired and just plain drained from the business of the hustle is reason enough to visit a massages therapist to soothe your weary body.
Getting a Swedish or hot stone massage might just be what you need to release the accumulated body tension after a long, tense week in the office.
2. Your Stress Levels are Off the Charts
Aside from change, stress might just be the other constant here in the world. This sounds like quite a stretch, but you can’t deny how stress can creep its way into our lives.
Drama from work, family, or personal relationships can pile up and take its toll on us. You can either let it defeat you, or you can rise above and find ways to destress and reclaim your center.
Getting a massage is a relaxing way of hacking into your stress hormones. Research shows that massages can decrease the cortisol (stress hormones) levels in the body and boost feel-good neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.
A regular visit to the spa for a massage is worth adding to your self-care arsenal.
3. You’ve Been Getting Frequent Headaches
Frequent headaches are no fun. They can be debilitating and hinder your productivity.
A number of factors can trigger a headache, but one of the common reasons is having a tensed neck that restricts blood flow to the brain. Getting a neck massage can improve blood flow and alleviate the pain.
Research also shows that having regular massages can decrease the frequency and severity of tension-type headaches or migraines.
So next time a headache hits, your options aren’t just limited to popping a painkiller. Consider booking a massage session or slipping in a comfy bathrobe and giving yourself some nice, soothing neck and head rubs.
4. You’re Terribly Beat from a Workout
Post-workout body pain can provide some sort of an ego boost. It’s a reminder of how you kicked your last workout’s ass and how closer you are to achieving your body goals.
This is almost always the case, until you experience the kind of pain that makes you regret going to the gym. You can either pop an ibuprofen pill and potentially mess with your body chemicals, or you can leave it to a massage therapist’s healing hands.
Treating sore muscles with a massage can increase and improve circulation, alleviating the pain.
Simple use of a foam roller to self-massage the affected areas can also work, according to an International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy study, but nothing beats the magic of a masseur or masseuse’s expert touch.
5. You’ve Been Getting More Anxious Lately
Bouts of anxiety can be really distressing and crippling. Can you imagine how much worse people suffering from different forms of anxiety disorders are feeling?
There are approximately 40 million Americans with anxiety disorders, and this condition takes almost a third of the country’s total mental health expenses.
While there are available medications for patients with this disorder, it’s also worth exploring other ways of improving one’s brain chemistry. Getting a massage can decrease your stress hormones and improve symptoms of anxiety.
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6. You’ve Been Sleeping Really Badly
If your sleep hygiene hasn’t been up to par lately, you might want to get a massage. Massages promote restful sleep and can help your nightly tossing and turning sessions.
In fact, there are sleep studies showing a very strong link between weekly massages and reduced insomnia.
Sleep deprivation wouldn’t just make you lethargic, unfocused, and unproductive the next day. Many health conditions can arise from having prolonged poor sleeping habits.
7. You’re Going Through a Dry Spell
If the drought has been going on for too long, getting a massage can induce the release of oxytocin—a hormone associated with orgasm, bonding, and trust. A 2012 study reported that its participants recorded higher oxytocin levels in the bloodstream after a 15-minute massage than they did pre-treatment.
If you are open to the idea, you can also avail of sensual massages. These aren’t for everybody though.
Nonetheless, all kinds of massages can be very satisfying and fulfilling.
8. It’s That Time of The Month Again
Massage therapy can help with the pain some women undergo before and during their monthly periods. In fact, there are studies showing a link between getting a massage and the reduction of menstrual distress symptoms like depression, bloating, and water retention.
In addition to alleviating menstrual distress, hot stone massage offers a range of benefits, including improved blood circulation, stress reduction, and relaxation.
Why not add a monthly hot stone massage session to your calendar for self-care and PMS management? That’s hitting two birds with one stone!
9. You Just Want Some Relaxing Alone Time
Things can get overwhelming sometimes that the only way to reclaim a healthy state of mind is to step back and have some me-time.
There’s nothing wrong with prioritizing your well-being. If anything, we should really do this more often.
So, go take that spa vacation, alone or with your buddies, and pamper yourself like your life depends on it.
It doesn’t even have to be grand. Prep a relaxing bath, bring out your oils and your favorite RobeMart bathrobe, and schedule a home massage session for the day.
May it be a back rub from your partner, a foot massage during a pedicure, or a full-on Swedish massage at a spa, a good rubdown can be ultimately satisfying. Next time you crave for one, don’t resist, just go have a relaxing time and enjoy a long list of massage benefits.
Got any relaxing massage techniques? Share them with us in the comments section below!
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