Massage therapy has long been recognised for its ability to promote relaxation and relieve physical tension. However, it's not just your body that benefits from a massage; your mood can also experience a significant boost, and it can be particularly helpful in dealing with anxiety. Here's how massage can positively impact your mood and contribute to anxiety management:
1. Stress reduction: Massage has a calming effect on the nervous system, promoting the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals. As stress levels decrease, anxiety symptoms often diminish, allowing you to experience a greater sense of relaxation and well-being.
2. Relaxation response: Massage encourages the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the body's relaxation response. This results in a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which are commonly elevated during times of anxiety. By triggering this relaxation response, massage helps to counteract the physiological effects of anxiety and induce a state of calm.
3. Improved sleep quality: Anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to sleep deprivation and exacerbating anxiety symptoms. Regular massage can enhance the quality and duration of sleep by reducing muscle tension, promoting relaxation, and facilitating the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with sleep regulation. Better sleep, in turn, can positively impact your mood and reduce anxiety levels.
4. Enhanced body awareness: Massage therapy involves focused attention on the body and its sensations. This increased body awareness can help redirect your attention away from anxious thoughts and into the present moment. By cultivating a mindful connection with your body during a massage, you can experience a temporary reprieve from anxiety-related concerns.
5. Human touch and emotional support: Massage provides a nurturing and supportive environment where the human touch can be deeply comforting. The physical connection with a massage therapist can create a sense of safety and trust, promoting a release of emotional tension and fostering emotional well-being. This emotional support can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with anxiety.
While massage therapy can provide valuable mood-boosting benefits and help manage anxiety, it's essential to note that it should not be viewed as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. If you have severe or persistent anxiety, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment options.
At Ally Massage Therapy our bespoke massage treatments are crafted to suit you!
Your therapist will create a unique massage using a variety of techniques to treat areas of the body that will most benefit from the power of touch. Whether you wish to relax, revive or leave feeling energised, there’s a massage technique to suit your individual needs.
Whoever you are, whatever is happening in your life right now, you probably need and deserved massage.
You can visit Ally in the countryside treatment room for your massage or facial.
Just 20 minute drive from the centre of Bath, in the village of Shoscombe in Somerset.
Easy parking, gorgeous views and blissfully quiet.
We alway recommend if the weather is fine to take a stroll through the valley after your treatment, and allow nature to nurture.
Ally works intuitively to iron our tension in the body while calming your mind and soothing your soul.
You can also book a mobile treatment and a therapist will come to you.
Ally and her team can turn your lounge into a sanctuary of self care and relaxation.
We can travel to the bath and the surrounding areas.
