From the list of many things we miss from our pre-pandemic lives, hugging is at the top. I don’t think many people will disagree with this statement. We humans crave physical touch. We don’t only miss hugs, we actually need them. Physical touch calms our nervous system and makes us feel safe. Luckily in this lockdown life, massage is still allowed. Here you will read 6 reasons why you should book one.
Skin hunger
Craving physical touch is also called skin hunger, or touch deprivation. It occurs when a person experiences little to no touch from other living beings. Sadly, for many of us, this is the reality right now. One of the ways we are able to get our dose of touch, is through a massage. Massage is used in all cultures to evoke feelings of deep relaxation and reduced anxiety. Read on to learn why we should take a massage more regularly besides the obvious: that it feels amazing!
Hello ‘love’ hormone, goodbye stress
Our skin is full of millions of receptors that are linked to our nervous system. When these receptors are stimulated during a massage, they lead to a release of hormones in our brain. One of them is called oxytocin, also called the ‘love’ hormone. oxytocin can lower the levels of cortisol. When we are stressed, our body produces the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. The result is an increase in heart rate and energy as part of the fight-or-flight response. It is our body’s way of preparing itself for potentially dangerous situations. There is nothing wrong with those hormones as such, they even are necessary. Normally, once the threat is over, our hormones return to its normal levels. However, when we are constantly under stress, this response doesn’t always turn off. Long-time exposure to stress hormones have a negative impact on almost all of our body’s processes.
Here are some examples of health issues that can happen:
- High blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
These are to only to name a few. Getting a massage regularly helps to decrease the level of those hormones to its natural levels. Hello happiness, goodbye stress.
Better mood
Oxytocin is one of four chemicals in our brain that shape our level of happiness. Besides Oxytocin there is dopamine, endorphin and serotonin. Together they are called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters constantly move through our nervous system. They send out signals back and forth between the brain and our body to tell us how we feel.
Endorphins
Endorphins are responsible for relieving anxiety and are often released when we feel pain. It is said it is even similar to morphine. Pretty amazing, that body of ours. When endorphins are released in our body the respiration and heart rate slows down, which evokes feelings of deep relaxation. Did you ever had that woozy feeling after a massage? As you can guess now, that was because of endorphins.
Serotonin
Serotonin gives a sense of well-being and also prevents depression and feelings of loneliness. This hormone is also linked to sleep, mood regulation, appetite and digestion. Synthesized in the brain and the intestines, it is theorized that low serotonin levels contribute to depression and anxiety.
Dopamine
Dopamine is associated with the reward centers of the brain. This neurotransmitter makes you feel giddy when you fall in love. Dopamine gives you that boost after you complete a task. Low levels of this hormone is connected to lack of motivation, low energy and an inability to focus.
As you can see these neurotransmitters promote feelings of well-being and happiness. Which result in a better overall mood. Besides the benefits mentally, there are also heaps of benefits physically.
Immune system boost
As well as reducing the levels of stress hormones, massages have other chemical benefits. Recent studies show is that massage increase blood levels of lymphocytes. A Lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system of our body. They help to attack invading bacteria, viruses and toxins. They play a key role in our body’s immune response. Also, by reducing stress hormones and lowering blood pressure the body is better able to target its immune response and protect our body against disease or infection more efficiently.
Get it flowing
Massage helps to increase the circulation of blood in the body, making room for more oxygen-rich blood. Fatigue, muscle knots, cold hands and cold feet are all related to poor circulation. During a massage the flow of blood is stimulated which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells and to eliminate metabolic waste. If you want to read more about it you can do it here. The extra flow of blood also helps to loosen those annoying knots in your muscles. The stimulation of blood around your muscles increases flexibility and range of motion and can decrease localized inflammation. It helps speed up the healing process after an injury. Basically, by opening up the body, the flow of everything from oxygen and nutrients to hormones, makes the body happier and healthier.
Let it go
If you have done yoga, you know the bliss of a good old Savasana. Savasana is the end pose of every yoga class. The moment to relax and let go. You will also know that it can be quite hard to actually let go. We are so used to be always switched on. A Massage can help you do this. Not only for five minutes (in Savasana) but for an extended period of time. This surrender into just being and receiving can feel amazing. True relaxation. You essentially do nothing and yet gain so much. Are you ready to book your massage?
Better posture
The last reason why you should do a massage more regularly is about posture. We modern day humans spend so much time sitting. This results in weakness in the low back and glutes. Our body’s are not made for sitting so much. A massage can counteract the imbalance that is caused from sitting. As a yoga teacher and massage therapist I see a lot of people struggling with good posture. Besides sitting there are other ways we harm our body. For example: hunched shoulders, looking down while walking and slouching on the couch. All this resulting in poor posture, pain in our back and neck. Massage helps muscles relax and loosen, allowing your body to position itself in a natural, pain-free posture.
To sum it up…
There are many benefits from getting a massage besides the obvious feeling of relaxation. It isn’t only a short term good feeling but having a massage regularly will make your body and mind feeling much better all the time. Want to know more? Go to the massage page on my website. Thanks for reading!
