23 Sep Five Reasons to Book a Massage Right Now
While massage is certainly relaxing and decadent, it’s also a life-changing treatment with numerous mental and physical benefits. But don’t take our word for it—yet. Here are five reasons you should book a massage right now.
TO RELIEVE STRESS
Let’s get real, laying down anywhere and closing your eyes for 60 minutes is likely to work wonders for your stress levels. But add in a Licensed Massage Technician (and a touch of aromatherapy), and you’ve got science backing up your newly serene state. A study at the University of Miami School of Medicine found that massage therapy decreases cortisol, a.k.a. the stress hormone. And on a non-chemical level, massage has been shown to relax tense muscles through physical manipulation and promote deeper and easier breathing by lengthening the muscles surrounding the ribcage. Say it with us: “Ahhhhh.”
TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
Hey there, it’s cortisol again. In addition to generally make you feel frazzled, fatigued, and unhappy, elevated levels of cortisol have been shown to interfere with learning and memory, lower immune function, increase weight gain, and raise cholesterol levels. Taking that into consideration, massage is hardly an indulgence—it’s a proactive step you can take to look after your health and well-being.
TO RECOVER FROM INJURIES
Massage improves circulation—which means your muscles get a figurative upgrade to first class when it comes to deliveries of oxygen and nutrients. This influx of the good stuff helps your muscles rebuild at an accelerated rate, making massage ideal for those attempting to heal injuries of all varieties. (That includes that chronic back pain that came all those hours slumped over your keyboard.) The physical act of massage also helps reduce local inflammation.
TO BOOST YOUR GLOW
The circulation-enhancing effects of massage don’t just affect your interior—they also show up in your newly radiant skin. Enhanced blood flow delivers moistures and nutrients to skin and removes undesirable waste products, resulting in healthier color and tone. Massage can also temporarily minimize the appearance of cellulite by compressing fat cells (although it unfortunately doesn’t serve as a permanent solution).
TO SMILE MORE
Massage promotes the release of serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter that most notably contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness, but helps regulate sleep cycles and improve your focus and will power. Adorably, a study performed on babies of depressed mothers found that massaging infants for just 15 minutes twice a week boosted their serotonin levels by 34%. Massage also amps up your levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to your brain’s reward system. That means that even on a chemical level, treating yourself to a massage has the same ahh-inducing effects as a glass of red wine or major workout.
While some effects of massage are immediate, many of the most valuable results are cumulative and can be achieved by committing to making massage a regular part of your life. (We know, twist your arm.) At Trios, each of our massages is customized to meet your specific needs, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. Check out our offerings—and then give us a call to find out what we recommend for you!
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