Massages Feel Nice, BUT What's A True Benefit?

Think about this:

According to a 2018 American Psychological Association survey, 45% of people lie awake in bed at night all because of stress.

I wasn't surprised at all. I would say that every other client that comes in to see me, says they're stressed: work stress, family stress, physical health stress, etc. etc. etc.

Now some of you may be surprised by that number, but why?

Try this:

Take a minute and write down all of the items you might worry or stress about in one day.

I'll do it as well...

(Insert Jeopardy theme)

Honestly...I just filled a whole page.

When we get stressed we affect our inner being.

Scientifically, we release hormones called adrenaline and cortisol (aka the dreaded stress hormones) which puts our bodies into that “fight or flight” response. You know exactly what happens next: your heart starts to pound, your blood pressure rises, your muscles tighten (especially in the upper traps and neck), and most importantly your MOOD changes.

I don’t know how you manage stress, but when I get stressed out, it takes quite some time to calm myself back down. That might be a few minutes, to possibly over an hour.

Now here's the fun part.

Remember those hormones that get released when you're anxious or stressed out?

Yes, the "stress hormones."

Well, when you receive a massage, the stress hormone levels are reduced. This aids in the release of the “feel good” transmitters called dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins.

And guess what they do?

These endorphins affect your mood by decreasing stress and depression. It’s a win-win!

Of course, I'm not saying you should get a massage every time you feel stressed out, but there are some simple massage techniques that I will focus on in my next blog.

So if you're one of my clients who tells me, "my husband doesn't know how to massage," or "my wife hates touching my feet," stay tuned, because anyone can give a massage as long as you know these simple techniques.

In closing, next time you're feeling stressed out, think about how that's affecting you inside and out.

You are an amazing person, and you need to hear that more than you do!

Take (self) care!

If you’re interested in more information or would like to make an appointment, contact me at massagetherapybykate@yahoo.com