The Benefits of Massage for Emotional Well-Being

There are many physical and emotional benefits to massage therapy. While the physical benefits are more easily identified, there are many emotional benefits as well. The emotional benefits may be more difficult to identify. Massage can help to reduce stress and lessen anxiety to promote overall better health and well-being.

One of the most reported emotional benefits of massage is reduction of stress and anxiety. Massage reduces your stress levels in several ways.

A massage session involves being in a calming and soothing environment. Usually the lighting is low, and soft music is playing. Your therapist may use scented oils or creams that have a calming effect. It is truly a wonderful feeling to know that all you have to do is be there and be pampered.

Your therapist will strive to create the most comfortable environment for you that she can. The linens will be soft and warm. Special pillows and bolsters are used to promote proper alignment of your spine and maximum comfort during the massage. All of this adds to the experience and helps to lessen stress and anxiety.

Massage can also stimulate the release of endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters released by the brain that relieve pain and can induce euphoria. When you are doing something that is pleasurable endorphins are released into your body. Massage is a very pleasurable experience and the endorphins provide for a calm and euphoric experience.

One of the must unrealized emotional benefit's of massage is receiving touch from another person. Most of us know that children need a lot of healthy touch for proper development. Deprive them of touch and they will likely suffer in their emotional and physical development. This need for touch does not diminish with age.

Many of us do not realize that adults also have a need for touch. Massage provides that much needed touch from another person. The sensation of touch provides a feeling of calm, safety and soothing. We feel confident and more self assured by receiving and giving touch.

Touch reduces stress and creates a happy and contented feeling by releasing serotonins into the body. Serotonin can be thought of as the happy chemical. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters released by the brain. It is responsible for making you feel happy. Serotonin helps you to control your mood.

There are many emotional benefits to therapeutic massage. Beyond just relief from aches and pains, we experience overall emotional and mental health from regular massage sessions. If you feel you are in need of stress reduction, communicate this with your therapist. She can customize her treatment to accomplish your goals. Let her know what is working and what isn't. You and your therapist will both benefit from communicating your needs. If you haven't tried massage, give it a try. The only way to really know the benefits of massage is to experience them yourself.