While going to the spa or getting a massage may sound like expensive, time consuming activities, the benefits of these methods of personal care speak volumes.
People have to understand that facials are not only to clear your skin and massages are not only to soothe sore muscles. Believe it or not, these forms of personal care reduce anxiety and form a sense of connection and comfort beyond the typical mani pedi.
I was able to experience my first massage after a long ski trip with my boyfriend. The skiing did not go as well as planned considering my boyfriend who had been snowboarding for years thought it would be okay for me to hop on skis and try my best. As soon as I got off the lift, my anxiety went through the roof. I immediately had fears of falling down and seriously injuring myself. I became extremely stressed and tensed up and was unable to make it down the mountain. The next day, my boyfriend and I went to get massages after that traumatic experience. The moment I laid down for the massage all my fears went away.
I dozed off into a trance and was able to not only relax my body but my mind. My muscle tension significantly declined and there was an overall sense of emotional euphoria.
I was able to clear my mind as the massage therapist applied harder or softer pressure to areas that were sore on my body. The ability to tune out the rest of the world and focus on being in the moment is something that I admire about massages. These therapeutic sessions can be a powerful tool to help your mental health and reduce stress. I learned that regular sessions can even help improve circulation and boost energy levels.
There is a wide range of different types of massages and you can decide what works for you, but it’s important to note that massages can serve just as much as a mental stress reducer as they can a physical pain reducer.