By Paola Bassanese
There’s plenty of reasons to have massage therapy: it’s a great way to keep both your body and mind healthy and stress-free.
Relaxation: possibly the most common reason to seek a massage. Lowering stress and anxiety, or just simply for the sheer opportunity to let go for an hour and forget about your to do list and worries. Relaxation is not just pampering – it goes beyond that to achieve a sense of peace and balance. How often do we get the chance to completely recharge our batteries without going on holiday?
Better sleep: studies found that massage can help regulate your sleep so if you suffer from insomnia it is well worth investing in regular massage treatments. In a 2009 study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice it was found that massage can lower anxiety levels and improve sleep in people suffering from general anxiety disorder.
Feel nurtured: if you are feeling low or have self-esteem issues, having a massage can make you feel better about yourself. When we are newborn babies we receive our mother’s undivided attention; as adults, we rarely receive the same amount of doting attention. A massage therapist will give you undivided attention for the entire duration of the treatment – just the fact that the therapist works continuously on the body without interruptions builds a connection. The feeling of being nurtured can act as a gesture of reassurance that we feel worthy and lovable.
Increased body awareness: you start getting to know your body better. You start becoming aware not only of the areas of your body that have tension and need work, but also of how the human body is a magnificent machine that performs a myriad of functions without you needing to control them. Breathing, heart rate, reflexes are just a few examples of involuntary functions that the body performs perfectly. Let’s not forget that massage is also a natural painkiller as demonstrated by a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2011.
Be in the moment: you know the saying “time flies when you are having fun”? One hour on the massage table feels like five minutes because time becomes irrelevant. A massage creates the space for you to be yourself and become more aware of your feelings.
Isn’t it time you booked a massage?
Email paola@energya.co.uk or call 07803961669 to book an appointment.
See also the article I wrote for MassageSchool on the 5 Most Common Reasons to Get a Massage.