Stress is a part of everyone’s lives in one way or another. All of us experience it at one point.
However, when stress starts affecting our livelihood, it becomes detrimental to our health.
The best way to reduce stress is by engaging in activities that would relax us.
Massage therapy helps in combating stress and reducing the negative effects of stress on the
mind and body. It has been proven that just ten minutes of massage helps a person feel
relaxed and less stressed.
There are various mood enhancing benefits of massage therapy that make a person feel
calmer and reduces anxiety.
What are the symptoms of stress?
While stress is a fight or flight response, but if it is switched on for too long, it can be
detrimental to your health.
Some drastic symptoms of stress are
Tachycardia
Shortness of breath
Palpitations of the heart
Excessive sweating
Knots in the stomach
Anxiety, depression, and irritability
Sleeplessness and insomnia
How does massage help with stress?
Relaxation Response
Massage triggers the relaxation response and can slow down the body. It makes the body
calm from a heightened state of anxiety. Methodic kneading and touching the body eases up
the body, making it feel relaxed. This is ignited by serotonin, which is a relaxation hormone.
Serotonin helps in stabilizing our mood and helps with basic functions like eating, digestion
and sleeping.
Muscular Tension
Stress tightens up the muscles and makes them become more tense. With the help of massage
therapy, the muscles come back to a relaxed state and chronic pain is alleviated. The high-
tension levels can shorten the muscles and restrict movement, leading to pain. Massage
relieves this tension by increasing the elasticity of the tissues and by stimulating the PNS.
Muscles become warm and loose through massage therapy that involves rubbing, stroking,
stretching and trigger point therapy. However, more than one massage therapy is needed that
can be booked online to see considerable results.
Reduces Blood Pressure
Massage improved blood pressure and helps improving the circulation of blood in the body.
It helps in calming the sympathetic nervous system, which if not cam, raises the blood
pressure. Relaxation massage and aromatherapy, both reduce blood pressure and affect the
heart rate positively, returning the body to its natural and healthier form.
Better Sleep
Since massage has a direct effect on the body’s serotonin, it can also help in releasing
melatonin, which is a sleep hormone. Pressure on the muscles of the neck, back and shoulders
triggers the production of melatonin. It is even triggered when pressure is applied to the legs
and feet, affecting sleep patterns. Massage therapy also reduces cortisol, which is a stress
hormone, relaxing a person better and helping them fall asleep.
Mental Health
Massage therapy regulates the mood, improving an individual’s mental health by promoting
and stimulation psychological help. This is through nerves, hormones, and receptors. A
massage in Brussels can bring therapeutic relief, improving the client’s overall mood and
wellbeing. Stimulation of the nerve reduces the level of cortisol, making our bodies feel more
relaxed.