5 Reasons Massages Aren't Just For Pampering Yourself
Many
people believe that going to a massage therapist is just a way to
pamper or indulge yourself. This is why so many of us wait to have one;
we treat it as a way to reward ourselves for special occasions, like
birthdays or vacations. The truth is, the benefits of receiving a
therapeutic massage run much deeper than the superficial "feeling good" — which seems like a good enough reason, in my mind!
There are endless positive benefits to receiving a massage, but here are just a few:
1. Receiving a massage can alleviate chronic pain.
This
may seem obvious, but there are many people out there who live with
chronic back, shoulder and neck issues. Massages can reduce the causes
of this pain, which can be a healthier and more holistic approach than
reaching for synthetic drugs or other forms of pain relief.
2. Massages promote better sleep.
Many
people struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep. When we get a
massage, it not only reduces tension in the muscles, but it can also
change our hormone levels in such a way that allows for more profound relaxation
to arise. Massage therapy has been linked to increased delta waves in
the brain, which are connected to deeper, more restful sleep.
3. Massage therapy may relieve mild depression.
Massage
therapy has been touted for releasing the tension, stress and anxiety
that is often accompanied with mild depression. It's believed that
receiving physical touch can change our bio-chemisty and lower our
cortisol levels, our bodies stress hormone. If our cortisol levels are
too high on a regular basis it can lead to all kinds of imbalance in our
system, including feelings of depression. Massage therapy can be a
beautiful, natural way to regulate these hormones levels thus creating a
more relaxed, improved state in our overall mental and physical
wellbeing.
4. Getting a massage is a great way to boost your immunity.
When
we're stressed and anxious all the time, it's harder for our bodies to
fight off and defend against the pathogens we're exposed to every single
day. Even a light, gentle touch can allow the lymphatic system to drain
and release waste like bacteria and viruses from the body more
efficiently, increasing our chances to fight off the germs we come in
contact with as a part of our everyday lives.
5. Self massages can ease your financial concerns.
If
you're someone who finds that taking the time to schedule a massage on a
more regular basis is a challenge, or you feel hindered by the cost,
you can always try self massages. Begin by finding the right oil — I
like using sesame or coconut oil.
You can add a few drops of high quality therapeutic grade essential oil
to it, like lavender (this part isn't necessary but adds a lot to the
experience). I'll have my health coaching and massage clients begin
practicing this by focusing on the major joints in the body first. You
can begin by gently rubbing the oil into your neck area, shoulders,
elbows and wrists. Then continue by moving to your hips, knees and
ankles. If that's all you have time for, that's still going to be of
great benefit to you and will naturally lubricate these often neglected
areas of the body.
So the next time you're
thinking about getting a massage, remember that the experience runs much
deeper than just pampering yourself. Having a massage can be seen as a
great tool for improving your overall health, and it's a step in the
direction for increasing your own capability to enhance and practice
exceptional self care.
