Even at the best of times, daily life can be anywhere from difficult to downright stressful. Add in the uncertainty and worry caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s no wonder many of us feel especially stressed out or anxious these days. As the months linger on and the weather worsens, you may feel as though your mental health is starting to suffer, too.

With a reliable COVID-19 vaccine likely still several months away, you can help alleviate the stress of living through a pandemic with regular massage therapy treatments. There is much more to it than just relaxing your sore muscles. Here’s how regular massage can improve your mental health in these troubling times.

Massage therapy reduces stress hormones and relieves depression:

Massage therapy helps reduce some of the stress and tension that accumulates in our muscles during periods of high pressure or elevated anxiety. Besides making your body feel better, regular massage can also reduce cortisol levels, a hormone our bodies release when we feel stressed out or anxious.

Massage has also been linked with increased oxytocin levels, sometimes known as the cuddle hormone because it’s commonly released when we experience human touch, usually from a loved one. However, research has shown that the human contact experienced during a massage has the same effect, helping to diminish feelings of loneliness and the sense of disconnection.

Massage can help you sleep better:

Ever find yourself tossing and turning at night as troubling thoughts race through your tired brain? Then when morning comes, you’re not properly rested and ready to face another tough day. That night, when you really need to sleep, the vicious cycle starts all over again.

Massage can help raise serotonin levels, a natural chemical that contributes to a sense of well-being and happiness, and dopamine, which affects mood. Both can also have an impact on the quality of our sleep. A deep, relaxing massage can help your body unwind and get the rest you need to improve your mood and restore your mental health.

Women meditating in the middle of the forest
Taking care of yourself is important during stressful times.
Massage offers an oasis of calm away from the rest of the world:

At Massage Experts, every effort is made to help you detach from the ‘real world’ and embrace relaxation. Soft music, soft lighting, and a calming atmosphere all combine to create an oasis of wellness; a place where you can’t be reached by e-mail or bothered by calls. Even if it’s just for an hour, the opportunity to unplug and briefly leave our troubles behind can make a big difference to our mental health, improving our ability to concentrate and focus.

We all need something to look forward to, especially in a World where our ‘normal’ has been turned upside down by such a surreal virus. A regular massage appointment might be the escape you need and an opportunity for you to recharge and feel better about yourself.

If you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, or insomnia, be sure to tell your Registered Massage Therapist what you’re experiencing. That way, they will be able to tailor your treatments to improve your physical health and your mental health and well-being as well Massage Experts offers a special first visit rate to help welcome you to their clinic. Click BOOK NOW to find the clinic closest to you.

 

Thank you for visiting the Feel Better Blog. Blogs and videos showcased within this page have been written by your local Massage Experts team members, who have made reasonable efforts to present accurate information. Massage Experts Franchising Ltd. and its affiliates cannot be responsible for any of the results experienced from following the information provided. This information is not medical advice and hence should be treated as being for “informational purposes only.” Any statements or claims made on these blogs reflect the individual author’s opinions. They do not represent the specific views or policies of Massage Experts Franchising Ltd. and its affiliated locations. If you have any questions regarding your specific condition, please book a visit with your local Massage Experts team or contact your family physician.