Massage Therapy & The Winter Blues

We all know there are so many benefits to receiving a massage:

  • INCREASED CIRCULATION

  • RELIEF OF SORE MUSCLES

  • ELIMINATE TOXINS

  • PAIN REDUCTION

  • IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY

  • FEELS AMAZING!

What you may not have been aware of is the effectiveness of Massage Therapy in curbing seasonal challenges such as mood changes, decreased energy & lack of sleep.

In an article written by the American Massage Therapy Association HERE we learn about how adding regular trips to your massage therapist can significantly increase our moods this winter.

“As we approach the colder, darker months, massage therapy may be an effective method of deflecting common seasonal challenges,” said Jeff Smoot, 2015 President of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). “Massage benefits the way our bodies react to negative influences, whether that’s weather, anxieties or disorders.”

We have all felt the effects of the “winter blues” at some point in our lives. When the days get dark earlier, the weather gets cold and we start feeling more lethargic we can absolutely benefit from an energy boost - massage can do just that. Research has shown that massage aids blood flow, and so delivering oxygen to all the body's cells, which we need for energy. Massage can boost your lymph system, meaning your body can detoxify itself more effectively. Massage also helps you sleep better! It does this by helping you to relax. Regular massage sessions have been found to decrease depression and anxiety levels and improve sleep quality - This could be because they trigger the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can help you feel calm.

If these reasons alone didn’t convince you to schedule your next massage, how about…it just feels AMAZING! As soon as your skin's nerve cells feel pressure, they signal the brain to release those “feel good” chemicals called endorphins, which boost your mood and give you a natural high.

So, better sleep, more energy and an increase in mood - all great reasons to stave off those blues and sign up for regular massage during these cold, dark months!

Maria Pappasmassage and winter, winterblues, massage and depression/anxiety