I am addicted to massages. I cannot deny that. I do know that I am not alone in this regard. Countless of people around the world would get a massage as much as they can, barring cost issues. Perhaps the main reason that people yearn for massages is relaxation. There is no doubt that one cannot help but feel relaxed after an hour’s worth of muscle kneading and pounding. But, did you know that there is a host of other reasons that regular massage sessions are good for you?
These are the best reasons to get a massage regularly.
1. Set those endorphins free!
Endorphins are much talked about these days. They’re basically chemicals released in the brain. They are actually natural painkillers, and when released, they make us feel good over all. Other specific effects of endorphins are changes in appetite, a feeling of euphoria, and even the release of sex hormones. The bottom line is that endorphins are good for us!
So what do endorphins have to do with massages? The fact is that whenever you get a massage, the pressure exerted on the skin triggers your nervous system. In turn, this stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain. No wonder you feel much better after a massage!
2. Help lower your blood pressure.
Getting massages on a regular basis has been shown to have a positive effect on blood pressure problems. There are actually special kinds of massages that are targeted towards stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which results in regulating your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure. Needless to say, you should not consider this as your primary mode of treatment if you have serious health problems. Consult your doctor to see how this alternative form of treatment can help your condition.
3. Work on your posture.
Sit up straight! Don’t slouch! Watch your posture!
You probably heard those commands so many times as you were growing up – I know I did! My mother was a stickler for posture, and yet I didn’t really pay much attention – much to my dismay. These days, though, you can look to massage therapy to help you improve your posture. There are special programs which are designed to ‘train’ muscles to maintain the correct position. Muscles support our skeletal system, and are integral to proper posture.
4. Strengthen your immune system.
Believe it or not, massages can help boost your immune system. How so? The reason lies in one key advantage of regular massages: stress relief. We all experience stress in our daily lives. No matter what kind of job you have, what lifestyle you live, there will always be a certain amount of stress in your life.
Stress can become manifested in bodily malfunctions. If not dealt with properly, or if it is not released, stress can cause you to become physically ill one way or another.
This is where the benefits of massages come into the picture. Massages are a great way to release stress, and when received on a regular basis, help manage stress levels efficiently. Without high stress levels, your immune system will be much better, and you can ward off common diseases much more easily.
5. Hasten the recovery process.
Whether you got injured playing sports, you just had a surgery, or you just had a bout with the flu, massages can help you get back on your feet more quickly. The reason is that massages improve the circulation of blood. When you have more efficient blood circulation, oxygen and other nutrients are distributed throughout the body better. This mere fact helps in repairing tissue that needs repaired and helps in hastening the recovery process in general.
6. Get rid of toxins faster.
The human body takes in amazing amounts of toxins on a daily basis. We may not mean to do so, but it happens. The good thing is that our systems were designed in such a way as to efficiently get rid of these toxins. There are times, however, when our bodies cannot keep up with the amount of toxins. Lymphatic massage is quite helpful during these times. This kind of massage targets the lymph nodes, which are basically our purifiers. With a lymphatic massage, we give the lymph nodes a helping hand in flushing out toxins from the body.
7. Sleep better.
If you do not have any major health issues, there still is a very good reason to get a massage: to help fall asleep and to help experience quality sleep. The idea goes back to the basic concept behind getting a massage: to feel good and relax. At night, if sleep seems to elude you, perhaps you simply need to de-stress the events of the day away. A simple one-hour massage can make you feel relaxed enough to fall away into dreamland.