Spending months in lockdown has taken its toll on both our bodies and our minds. Many of us have spent more time sitting down, had trouble sleeping, and have even changed our eating habits. Now that restrictions are beginning to ease, it’s a good time to start prioritising both our mental and physical health. There are a number of ways we can do this, including the basics such as eating a balanced diet, moving our bodies and drinking plenty of water. But there are some other ways to look after ourselves which we may not have considered, including getting a massage. When you think of massages, you probably think of them as luxury treats that you get once in a blue moon. But they can be surprisingly affordable, and they do us the world of good too.
They Make You Feel Relaxed
If you’ve had a massage, you’ll recognise this feeling. It’s a feeling that many of us have craved in the last few months. After a good massage, your body and your mind are left in a blissfully calm state. It feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders, literally and metaphorically. This is in part because of the environment you’re in. Even just entering the room is enough to make you feel relaxed — the dimmed lights, the soothing sounds, the scents from the essential oils. But it isn’t just the calming setting that makes massages so relaxing. When we are massaged, our body releases hormones which aid relaxation, such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. Massages can also reduce the effect that stress has on our bodies. When we are stressed, our body takes the burden and our muscle tension increases, especially in our neck, back and shoulders. A massage reduces this tension, as the practitioner stretches and loosens the knots in your muscles. This is why massages leave you feeling a lot lighter and more flexible.
They’re Good For Depression
Since massages are good for the mind as well as the body, they can help with symptoms of depression. Although massages cannot completely cure your depression, they can significantly reduce the symptoms. They work well alongside the majority of medications and treatments too. As we’ve already discussed, massages trigger the release of the ‘happy hormone’ dopamine. People with depression tend to have low levels of dopamine in the body, so the release of this hormone is crucial to improving their mental wellbeing. Massages are a great way to combat the physical symptoms of depression too. When suffering from the illness, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to look after your body. This can lead to aching muscles and severe exhaustion. Having a massage soothes these aches and pains, leaving your body completely refreshed. Massages also decrease feelings of fatigue and exhaustion, by increasing our blood circulation. So if your depression leaves you struggling with low energy, a massage is the perfect way to give your body a well-needed boost.
They Can Help With Sleep Issues
Not only do massages reduce levels of fatigue, but they can be a great way to get a good night’s sleep too. This is especially helpful at the minute since so many of us have struggled with keeping a healthy sleep schedule over the past few months. Since massages aid relaxation, they can improve your quantity of sleep. If you ever lie awake at night, going through all of your worries one by one, this will be great for you. They can also improve your quality of sleep too. After a massage, you’re likely to spend more time in deep sleep. This is the most important sleep stage, as this is the stage where the body heals itself and the most energy is created. So if you suffer from insomnia, or if you just want a really good night’s sleep, a massage could be just what you need.
They Boost Your Immune System
Having a good immune system is so valuable, now more than ever. There are a number of things you can do to improve your immune system, such as sleep well, stay hydrated and consume foods high in probiotics. But you may not be aware of how much a massage can impact your immune system. It does this by increasing our blood circulation and flushing our bodies of toxins. Studies have also found that getting regular massages increases our bodies’ ability to kill certain cells and fight against diseases. This is in part due to the impact that massages have on white blood cells. They increase the number of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell which helps the body fight viruses and diseases.
Massages During the Pandemic
You might be sold on the idea of massages, but are unsure of the protocol whilst social distancing measures are still in place. Massages, and a range of other body treatments were allowed to resume on 13th July, with additional precautions put in place. If you want to go for a massage, make sure to bring PPE and be prepared for the experience to be rather different from what you would normally expect. If you are high risk, or you just don’t feel comfortable with receiving a massage yet, you could always try a self-massage. Although it may not be up to the same standard as a massage from a professional, it can still be a great way to make yourself feel better both mentally and physically. And we could all do with this at the minute.
Written by Siobhan Kelly
Siobhan is a recent Sociology graduate, with a passion for writing. Her degree has given her experience researching a range of topics relating to the Sociology of both physical and mental health. She has a particular interest in understanding the effect that body image has on mental health.
