How do you take care of yourself when you're feeling stressed out? If getting a massage is not on your list of stress-busting habits, it really should be! Massage therapy is incredibly useful for relieving stress. Here are some of the ways that massage therapy helps lower stress levels.
Serotonin Release
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel relaxed and at ease. When you're stressed out, your serotonin levels may be lower than is ideal. By manipulating your muscles, massages can trigger the release of serotonin. You'll feel relieved as soon as you walk out of the massage, and the boost in serotonin should last a few days, helping to keep your stress levels lower. Some massage therapists use essential oils to impart some aromatherapy as you get the massage. This can help boost serotonin release. Oils like lavender and vanilla are particularly relaxing.
Less Tension on Nerves
When your muscles are really knotted and tight, there tends to be excess strain and pressure on some of your nerves. This is especially a problem when the tightness is in your back. It can actually put pressure on spinal nerves and on nerves that come directly off your spine. Over time, muscle tension in your back can even pull your spine out of alignment, which is something a chiropractor will need to fix for you. In the meantime, though, a massage will relieve the tension on your nerves, which will help you feel relaxed and de-stressed.
Better Sleep
You probably can't sleep well when your muscles are tight and sore. And when you don't sleep well, your stress levels just continue to climb higher and higher. After a massage, though, you should be able to drift off to sleep more comfortably. A few good nights of sleep should leave you feeling far more relaxed and at ease. And once you start sleeping better, you usually continue to sleep better for quite a while.
Increased Ability to Exercise
Exercise is a great stress reliever, but you probably don't feel like exercising when your muscles are tight and sore. After a massage, though, your muscles should be looser, so you're more able to exercise. Even just walking around the block or going for a swim can help ease stress, especially if you're not in pain while doing so!
As you can see, massage therapy is an excellent stress reliever that works in various ways. Schedule a massage with a local massage therapist today.
Share23 June 2021
Going for a first-time massage can be a little intimidating. With so many types of massages available, how do you know what kind you would enjoy the most and what would be most beneficial to you? I can remember my first massage and how I felt walking into the spa for it. I was worried that I was going to do something inappropriate or not get the type of massage that I pictured myself getting. Since then, I have gone for weekly massages and have had every type of massage available to me at the spa that I visit. Read on to learn all about what to expect during your first massage and a short description of each type of massage.