For most, getting a massage is a luxury they look forward to. This is mainly a consequence of today’s fast-paced lifestyle. People are simply too busy juggling their roles, and very few make time for some self-care. This, in turn, only increases everyday stress, which can lead to a number of health-related consequences. Stroke, heart disease, and diabetes, among other things, all have links to stress.
So if you are one of these chronically-stressed individuals, perhaps it’s time to pause, take a step back, and make time for some self-care. You can achieve this by engaging in a relaxing treat, such as a massage. What’s more, combined with stress-relief massage oil, massage is one of the most effective ways of managing stress; but that’s not all.
Take a look at the following list of benefits we put together to show why you need to get a massage today.
Everybody knows about the relaxing benefits of massage. It can not only melt the tenseness away but also make you feel better. It has also been found to help treat anxiety and depression as massage helps significantly (as much as 53 percent) reduce the level of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the body, while also increasing serotonin and dopamine levels.
Stress, fatigue, and poor sleep can sometimes trigger migraine headaches. Studies have shown that massage therapy helps alleviate headache, including migraine, and leads to better quality sleep overall. It has also been noted that the beneficial effects of massage therapy can last for as long as three weeks. So you need not endure those headaches; just go get a massage.
High blood pressure is a precursor of stroke and heart disease. One study published in the journal Biological Research for Nursing found that at least three 10-minute back massages a week can help lower blood pressure compared to spending the same time just relaxing or doing nothing.
People usually go for massages to reduce pain, and for good reason. The benefits of massage therapy have already been extensively studied in terms of backache. It has been proven that, aside from reducing the need to take painkillers by 36 percent, it is also more effective for back pain relief than alternative therapies like spinal modification and acupuncture.
Sports enthusiasts, athletes, and people engaged in physically taxing work can stress their hips, limbs, and knees. However, massage can help with maintaining or restoring range of motion as well as flexibility. During a massage, the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues are targeted and stimulated to produce and retain natural lubricants that make smooth, fluid movements possible. This effect is further enhanced with the use of stress relief massage oil during each session.
Truthfully speaking, massage should never be treated like a luxury.
It should form part of your self-care routine – something that you should always make time for.
The above benefits mentioned do not even begin to cover all of the benefits of massage. But they should be enough to make you want to get one right away.