“Massage therapists listen with their hands and their hearts” – Anonymous.
While everyone’s mental health is important, and there are a lot of ways to prioritize one’s mental health, what is most important to recognize is that you are the only person who can prioritize your mental health.
In prioritizing one’s mental health, some people go to counseling, while others turn towards nature, walks, hikes, etc. It could even be unplugging from your cell phone, tablet, or computer and just being in silence, meditating for a period of time, or reading a good book. It could also be a hobby, like going to the gym or doing arts and crafts.
There are hundreds of ways to prioritize one’s mental health, especially through self-care. That could look like getting a massage and then going to the chiropractor for an adjustment. What sounds better than getting a massage in a totally quiet, dark room and being unplugged from the world, where the day’s stress can just melt away? Possibly an entire day planned like that, but I digress…
Did you know that beyond the substantial physical benefits, massage therapy is highly beneficial for a multitude of physiological and psychological problems? Massage therapy can help with pain relief, stress relief, insomnia, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, etc. In fact, touch connects us and makes us feel cared for and grounded.
Research has shown that getting an hour massage can have the same blood pressure-lowering effects as going for a short walk. And if given the choice, most individuals prefer the relaxing benefits of a massage over physical activity. I mean, wouldn’t you? Numerous clients have expressed a preference for receiving a massage rather than engaging in an exercise when presented with a choice. This highlights the appeal and perceived effectiveness of massages promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which can ultimately lead to a reduction in blood pressure. The preference for massage therapy over physical activity may be driven by the immediate and noticeable relaxation and wellness benefits that massage provides, as compared to physical activity.
Massage therapy (1) reduces cortisol – the hormone that is produced when the body is stressed; (2) increases serotonin – the hormone neurotransmitter that carries signals between the nerves and the body, reducing the feelings of depression; and (3) releases endorphins – the hormones your body releases during massage, relieving pain, stress, and improving your sense of wellbeing. This also makes your body better equipped to fight negative feelings and physical discomfort.
Boiled down to its most simplistic terms, massage therapy + decreased cortisol + increased serotonin + endorphin release = improved mental health and self-care
So, ask yourself, when did you last do something just for yourself? If you can’t think of anything right off the cuff, chances are you’re overdue because you’ve been focused on doing things for everyone else in your life except for yourself. We are our own first line of defense against burnout and prioritizing our own mental health. And if we forget that, not only do we suffer, but so does everyone around us who relies upon us. That is why it is imperative that you prioritize your mental health through self-care.
