You work hard all week on the job and at work to keep things in order an
d running like a smoothly oiled machine, but at the end of the day you’re exhausted and stressed over deadlines, soccer camp and paying your bills. It may also be that you’ve lost someone close to you. Stress in some forms is healthy, but if constant, can cause your body to behave differently. It can cause restlessness, stomach aches, depression, a lack of focus and even chest pains. Luckily, there are ways to relieve the stress and regain your energy.
Benefits of a Massage
A massage done correctly can help you to reduce your blood pressure, achieve a lower heart rate and pulse and reduce insulin levels too. It can also help to relieve chronic pain and improve your state of mind, making you feel happy. A massage helps to open up the chest cavity and improve circulation allowing you to breathe easier and feel more energized. Overall wellness and an improved outlook are positive results that you can acquire from just a few sessions. More importantly, in order to rid your body of anxiety and stress, you need to totally relax. A 45-minute to an hour massage can offer similar benefits to yoga and other forms of meditation. A natural unwind of the body allows it you begin the true healing process from within.
Equipment and Supplies a Massage Company Uses
Most massage companies have separate rooms where they place clients either together, two at a time, or individually. These rooms often contain a massage table, a massage chair, candles and aromatherapy oils, soft meditation music and a tray full of towels, creams, and oils. In addition, the massage tables generally have either a pad or a flannel sheet. Some even use bolsters to prop patients up who are pregnant or have chronic pain to make them more comfortable.
Ways a Massage Helps You to Reduce Stress
There isn’t one thing that takes you closer to a state of utopia than a therapeutic massage. The combination of technique, scents, and atmosphere instantly start to bring you to a relaxed state of mind. The room with soft soothing music echoing all around you and the calm environment with an intoxicating scent transform you into a relaxed state. Once the massage begins, you remain in that state with your mind slowly giving in to decluttering and the thoughts of the day go straight from your head. The natural oils make your body soft to the touch and the aches caused by the day’s events suddenly disappear. When you get up from the reclined position you feel at ease yet naturally rejuvenated and energized.
Different Types of Massages Designed for Stress Relief
While most any massage will inadvertently help you reduce stress, there are specific massages, like the Swedish Massage, that takes destressing the body to new heights. Here, the masseuse uses a variety of techniques such as long, gliding stroke, hands and palms in a circular motion to apply pressure, kneading, bends and strokes. This type of massage helps to decrease the levels of cortisol and arginine vasopressin, stress hormones, naturally. The Swedish massage also reduces muscle toxins, improves circulation and increases oxygen in the blood.
Another massage called the Hot Stone massage includes the use of hot stones located in a specific place to offer the best results. You relax and enjoy the smooth motions while also getting hot therapy to targeted muscles. This type of massage makes you feel both invigorated and relaxed The release of heat into the body also helps release tension in multiple areas like the back and shoulders while making the stress disappear.
Having a weekly massage treatment by a professional masseuse can help you enjoy a healthier life with less stress, improved focus, and renewed energy.
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Nora Charles is a freelance writer that has worked with many bloggers for several years now.