Research shows that there is a stress gap between men and women. Women tend to carry and deal with more stress due to domestic duties and emotional labor and women are twice as likely to suffer from stress and anxiety than men. Women juggle so much and take on many roles such as being mothers, homemakers, breadwinners, and caretakers. Women also have so many different arenas in which we compete: how we look, our friendships, the work we produce. It often feels like there are so many different ways we can fail. This can lead to self-doubt and low self-esteem which can cause added stress!
One way you can de-stress and relax is by having regular massages. There is no doubt that massage can feel amazing but did you know there are also a lot of health benefits to massage?
Massage can combat stress and anxiety
Studies have shown that massages can increase blood flow to areas of the brain that associate with mood and stress regulation. A study showed that after a massage treatment, people’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped by 31 percent while happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine were boosted by 30 percent!
Massage can improve posture and realign body imbalances
Massage can help loosen tight muscles that may be locked into painful positions and it also encourages the body to find better posture. Massage can relax and loosen the muscles that may be made sore by poor postures. Massage allows your body to position itself in its natural-and pain-free-posture.
Boost Immune System
Research has found that regular massage can give your immune system a helping hand by increasing the production of disease-fighting white blood cells.
It Improves Circulation and Detoxifies The Body
The physical act of massaging encourages the movement of blood through the stagnant and congested areas of your body. When muscles are rubbed, squeezed, pressed, and then released, new blood is able to flow quickly into areas that were previously blocked due to tension. New, nutrient-rich blood can then flow into damaged muscles to help promote healing.
Studies show that regular massage also helps drain lymph and other waste fluids from stagnant areas of the body. Lymph and other waste products are then released through the urinary tract. A massage that focuses on detoxifying the body can efficiently target the lymphatic system and help your immune system function at an optimal level. Detox massages can also help remove lactic acid from muscle tissue, alleviating exercise-related muscle soreness, and fatigue.