When it comes to relaxation, there’s nothing quite like going for a full body massage. Other than perhaps cozying up by the fire, or having a lovely hot bath. However, massage therapy is so much more than just a relaxing thing to do. It has so many great healthcare and therapeutic benefits for your entire body – inside and out.
Massage therapy isn’t the cheapest of therapies to have, however, it is well worth the money. Here’s why…
Types Of Massage
There are so many different types of massage therapy available to you and me at most spa’s and therapy centres.
- Swedish Massage – A very gentle form of massage. Great for those new to massage therapy.
- Sports Massage – Not a relaxing massage. Used to help get rid of muscle pain.
- Full Body Massage – A massage for your entire body. Generally a very relaxing experience.
- Indian Head Massage – Massage focused solely on the head and neck.
- Hot Stone Massage – Great for people who have muscle pain and tension. Improves blood flow to the muscles.
- Aromatherapy – Massage using essential oils for emotional healing.
- Reflexology – Focuses on pressure points in your feet, hands, and ears.
- Deep Tissue Massage – Great if you have chronic muscle pain.
- Shiatsu Massage – A relaxing massage to relieve stress.
- Thai Massage – An active form of massage.
- Prenatal Massage – For women to have a safe massage while pregnant.
Hopefully this summary will help you decide which massage therapy might be for you depending on your needs. Each massage will last between 30 – 60 minutes, or occasionally up to 90 minutes. You will have the option how dressed or undressed you want to be. However, the more skin on show, the easier it will be for your therapist to do your massage. You will generally be lying on a bed with a towel covering any parts not being massaged at that time. For example, for a full body massage, your therapist will make their way around your body, covering up any areas they aren’t working on.
So, what are the benefits of massage, and is it really worth the money?
Relieves Anxiety
Studies have revealed that a simple massage can significantly help to reduce symptoms of anxiety. If you have the constant feeling of brain fog, it might be that you’re actually feeling anxious.
Your body has two separate nervous systems – the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system. Your the sympathetic nervous system controls your fight of flight response to a situation. Whereas your parasympathetic nervous system is what keeps you calm. During a massage, your parasympathetic response is heightened, making you feel more calm and relaxed. This in turn helps to lower your feelings of anxiousness.
Studies have shown those who regularly have massage therapy over a longer period of time decrease their overall feeling of anxiousness. Some even remain anxiety free from anywhere between 6 months to 2 years.
Better Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping or suffer from a form of insomnia? Did you know massage therapy can actually help you get a better night sleep. People sleep better when there is less activity in their nervous system. For example, if your brain is alert and buzzing with information, you can’t relax because your nervous system isn’t resting.
When you get a massage, your nervous system slows down due to the pressure being placed throughout your body via the massage. In turn, when you begin to get a better, deeper night sleep, this enables your body to relax. Meaning any aches, pains, or anxiety leaves your body, giving you a better night sleep.
Helps To Fights Fatigue
When you have a bad night sleep it can make you feel drained, fatigued and even unwell for the rest of the day. Fatigue generally occurs when you don’t get enough sleep, although there are other factors that could cause this as well.
You could be tossing and turning all night because your body just won’t relax and switch itself off. A massage could help you fight this feeling of restlessness and fatigue by helping you to feel more relaxed. When you feel less fatigued, you’ll have a much clearer focus and less of that brain fog feeling.
Boosts Focus
Do you have trouble staying present for more than 10 minutes in a meeting, or while talking to friends? Did you know by having a massage could actually help improve your attention span, reduce your brain fog, and your ability to focus.
Did you know that in order for your brain to focus on tasks, your heart rate needs to be lowered. For example, if you’re nervous, excited or even scared, it’s likely you’ll find concentrating much harder.
Back in caveman times, the feeling of being on edge when nervous or scared was necessary. Likelihood was, you were probably about to be eaten by a lion or something. However these days, these primal signals and feelings are no longer needed in the same way. It’s very unlikely when you’re feeling nervous these days it’s because a lion is in your camp!
By having a relaxing massage, you will be lowering your heart rate, enabling your body to relax and feel at peace. Therefore helping you to focus more and have less of that brain fog feeling.
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