The perfect excuse for a massage

When we find ourselves in an overwhelming state of stress, our brains naturally drift towards the idea of getting a professional massage. We already know that getting a massage is a phenomenal feeling but your brain is probably picking up on something more than just the physical sensation itself. If you’ve ever gotten a professional massage in the past, your brain is probably recognizing this practice as a true source for reducing your stress levels.

In an article posted by Livestrong, we read that, “Massage can help relax tight and painful muscles, improve range of motion in the joints, enhance circulation and lower stress levels. This is important because stress is considered a risk factor for many chronic diseases, and stress can make any symptoms you have worse.”

When you start to stress out, your brain can sense it. A number of reactions will then be set off throughout the body, such as a raised heart rate, an increase in blood pressure, tightening of the muscles and decreased activity in other areas in order to conserve energy. If this feeling of stress lasts for an extended amount of time, it can mean negative consequences for the body, which is why finding ways to deal with the stress (such as massage therapy) is so important.

This article continues on to say, “Part of managing stress is taking time to shift the mind away from everyday worries and to allow the body and mind to relax. The time spent in a massage can be used to focus on relaxing the body.” So the next time that you are overwhelmed and stressed out and feel as though you can’t justify getting a professional massage, think about it more as feel-good medicine. Massage therapy is proven to have positive effects of elevating stress from your mind, muscles and overall life. As a licensed massage therapist, Awakening Wellness owner, Laura Jachim is ready to help you take the first step towards a healthier, stress-free lifestyle today.