In our fast-paced, high-stress world, finding time to take care of yourself cannot be easy. Self-care is not always a priority, but as we all know, not taking care of ourselves has serious consequences. It’s widely accepted that stress is bad for your health and well-being. The stress hormone cortisol has been nicknamed the ‘stress hormone because of its role in responses to stressful situations. One of the best ways to reduce stress is regular self-care activities such as massage. Here, we look at why deep tissue massage is so great for you and why you should consider getting one more often than once in a blue moon.
Stress and Massage — Why is Deep Tissue Massage Good for You?
Massages have several health benefits – and can even improve your mental health. Reduced stress and anxiety – Stress is commonly thought to be what causes headaches, but it also contributes to higher blood pressure and a weakened immune system. A massage can reduce stress and anxiety and improve your mood, which can help you stay healthy. Reduced muscle pain – Muscle knots, or “trigger points,” can develop when muscles are stressed or injured. These knots can cause pain and make moving the area difficult. A massage can break up these knots, which can help prevent pain and improve the range of motion. Improved circulation – Massage can increase blood flow and promote lymphatic drainage, which can help remove toxins from your body. Improved circulation can also help fight against diabetes and heart disease.
Reduce Inflammation
One of the most significant benefits of regular deep tissue massage is that it helps reduce inflammation. When you get a massage, your body is flooded with feel-good chemicals known as endorphins, which have been linked to reduced pain and inflammation. Many diseases and health issues, from arthritis to obesity, may be caused or exacerbated by inflammation, which is why keeping it under control is so important. If you suffer from chronic pain or inflammation, massage could be helpful in your treatment plan.
Help Recover from Injury
Deep tissue massage has been proven to aid in the recovery of injuries. If you’ve ever had a sports massage, you’ll know it can be excruciating. However, the pain is a good thing. During a massage, your massage therapist will push and pull at your muscles to help them heal more quickly. This is good news for athletes because massage can speed up recovery from injuries.
Improve Range of Motion
Massage can help improve your range of motion by breaking up knots in your muscles. These knots are referred to as “trigger points” and can form when your muscles are overworked. For example, sitting at a desk all day might develop knots in your shoulders and back. When these knots form, they’re like a tourniquet for your muscles — they make it difficult to move. Massage can break up these knots, which can help improve your range of motion. This can be a massive benefit if you’re active and depend on your muscles.
Create Feel-Good Endorphins
Endorphins are neurotransmitters your body produces when you exercise, eat healthily, and even massage. There are many ways to boost your endorphin levels, and massage is one of the best. If you suffer from anxiety, stress, or chronic pain, getting a massage is a great way to boost your endorphin levels. You may even find that a massage is more effective in relieving stress than other methods you’ve tried.
Also read: Health benefits of weekly massage therapy
A relaxed state of mind
One of the best things about massage is that you don’t need to deal with a particular health issue to benefit from it. If you’re stressed out or feeling a bit run down, getting a massage can help you relax. Regular massages can be incredibly soothing and help you unwind after a long day. You may even find that massage enables you to sleep better. There’s evidence that massage may help reduce insomnia.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that massage isn’t a one-time fix — it’s something that you should be doing regularly. Massage can effectively reduce stress and anxiety, improve your overall health, and help you get a good night’s sleep. Make it a part of your self-care routine to reap all these benefits. And remember, it’s not just about getting a massage — it’s about opening yourself up to new experiences that can help you unwind and live a healthier, happier life.
