Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Stressful situations may also lead to anxiety or depression.
Massage therapy has been scientifically proven to reduce stress. This occurs by releasing endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine - all positive hormones.
Top 4 Benefits of Massage for Stress Relief
1. Relaxes Tense Muscles
Massage therapy can help you unwind, whether your stress is brought on by work, family, sports, or other life events. Not only will it lower your heart rate and blood pressure but it will also loosen muscles while increasing the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine from your body - natural feel-good chemicals!
Nerve compression can also reduce nerve compression, freeing the brain to focus on transmitting messages and operating efficiently. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system - the opposite of sympathetic, which causes your "fight or flight" response - which helps calm you down physically and psychologically.
Massage may also reduce pain caused by muscle spasms and knots caused by a build-up of waste products in the muscle. The kneading, stroking motion of massage breaks down these knots and adhesions within the muscle, allowing its fibers to realign themselves.
2. Boosts Your Mood
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn't have to be out of control and lead to health issues like anxiety or depression. Receiving a massage helps combat these effects by stimulating your natural "happy" hormones - serotonin and dopamine - by inducing relaxation in your muscles.
Massage therapy helps regulate neurotransmitters, decreasing levels of stress-related hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. As a result, massage therapy has been known to alleviate symptoms related to anxiety.
Massage has also been proven to increase the production of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes happiness and pleasure. Furthermore, it stimulates serotonin and dopamine in your brain - hormones responsible for helping you cope with stress.
Massage therapy has also been known to boost moods in cancer patients and pregnant women, reset your sleep cycle, and boost energy levels.
3. Helps You Sleep Better
Stress is a frequent contributor to sleep issues. This could be due to various issues like work or school stress, chronic pain, and emotional problems.
Massage helps relieve stress by lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, it boosts the release of feel-good hormones such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine.
These hormones have been known to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as lower cortisol levels. Furthermore, they stimulate your body's production of melatonin which regulates sleep cycles.
Receiving regular massages is an excellent way to promote overall well-being, and it may be especially beneficial for those struggling with insomnia. Studies have demonstrated that people who receive regular massages experience fewer symptoms of insomnia as well as greater life satisfaction.
4. Relieves Pain
Stress causes our bodies to release stress hormones that can lead to muscle tension. A massage therapist may be able to alleviate the discomfort associated with tense muscles, making them ideal for patients suffering from fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or other chronic conditions.
Additionally, massage can improve circulation and lower blood pressure. When you receive a massage, your body releases vasodilators (substances that dilate blood vessels), increasing circulation throughout the body.
Studies have demonstrated that cancer patients who received a massage postoperatively reported less pain and greater relaxation than those without. Furthermore, they experienced fewer adverse side effects from medications prescribed to treat their condition.
Massage therapy provides a variety of benefits for stress relief. These are just four of the main ones.