If you’ve been to any vacation beach town (especially Mexico or Thailand), you might have noticed massages offered at basically every corner and every section of the beach.
After all, the ultimate relaxation on vacation is spa luxuries, like an excellent ol’ massage to release tension and stress.
And maybe we should take a few cues from these vacation spots.
With most of us running around with our stress buckets spilling over, it’s safe to say we could probably all use a 60-minute massage regularly.
So, what should you know? How can massage improve your life?
How Do You Know You Need a Massage?
Got headaches? A stiff back? Feeling stressed to the max? These all might be signs you need a session ASAP!
Most often, a massage therapist will suggest people visit for:
- Increased stress in their daily life
- Recurring or persistent headaches
- Chronic hip, back, or neck pain
- Stiff muscles and joints
- Daily anxiety
Even more, if you aren’t experiencing the above, massage is an incredible way to prevent the above from happening. It can help keep your body in tip-top shape, as well as offer an approach to balance any stress in your life (which we all inevitably face!).
Related Article: What is Reiki & Can Energy Healing Help You? What Happens During a Reiki Session?
5 Benefits of Massage
Buddha has said, “To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”
And yes, massage can absolutely be part of this strategy!
In fact, it dates back thousands of years ago. While our ancestors didn’t have the science we have now, they knew there was something to this incredible practice.
Julius Caesar incorporated massage as part of his treatment for his epilepsy. Even Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, wrote texts referencing the benefits of massage.
So, how can massage benefit you?
1. Reduce Stress
In a world where stress has been declared an epidemic, there’s never been a better time than right now to get your stress under control. Even just 10 minutes of massage can help you relax and de-stress!
Related Article: These 11 Relaxing Activities Will Refresh & Recharge Your Mind, Body and Spirit
2. Enhance Energy
Our energy is undeniably one of our greatest resources.
It helps us push through that tough workday or juggle family life alongside everything else. Yet, a survey from Zippia, a career resource platform, found that of the workers surveyed, 76% reported feeling fatigued throughout their workday.
In many cases, massage has been brought into offices or other occupational settings, helping alleviate stress and increase energy. The result? This could mean increased productivity for various companies and individuals.
If you’re in charge of human resources or the wellness sector at your organization or company, a massage day might be something you want to consider.
3. Improved Immunity
Stress isn’t just unpleasant. It also suppresses our immune function.
This means that when you’re stressed out, you’re more likely to get sick. And this can even add to your stress, creating a really uncomfortable situation.
Luckily, massage can help boost immune function. While studies are still exploring the exact mechanisms of action here, I think we can all agree that living a healthy, illness-free, and stress-free life is well worth the price!
4. Reduces Pain
Many of us sit in chairs for hours on end to make ends meet.
Yet, all of this sedentary behavior can lead to some serious aches and pains. From the common (and dreaded) back pain and neck pain to shoulder pain and more, sitting for long durations isn’t good for our body or our overall health.
Yet, regular appointments can actually help counteract this pain, even preventing it from happening altogether.
At the same time, it’s important to note that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to thwart aches and pains.
This includes eating a healthy diet, finding healthy ways to cope with stress, and participating in regular exercise. Adding a massage once a month can further take your self-care routine to a whole other level.
5. Improves Heart Health & Circulation
You might have heard: Stress doesn’t exactly work wonders for your heart.
If anything, it can actually lead to a heart attack, among other cardiovascular issues. With regular massage, you’re not just taking care of your stress levels; You’re also improving your heart health!
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. With regular exercise and maybe a few regular appointments, you can avoid becoming part of these statistics.
Control Your Stress & Health With the Power of Massage!
Even if you can’t book a massage appointment per say (We get it! Without coverage, the cost can add up!), you can purchase various self-massage products and devices, such as foam rollers, massage guns, and massage balls, to gain the benefits that massage has to offer.
How has massage enhanced your life? Tell us in the comments below!
Updated from Jan 21, 2024
Photo by Anete Lusina
