A full-body massage: soft music, low lighting, a feeling of tranquility—it’s bliss. But what most people don’t know is that while you might be in a state of total relaxation your body is going into full activation mode during a massage. A massage stimulates your nervous system; wakes up your muscles, organs, and glands; moves blood and lymph fluid, and gets multitudes of cells to produce and release chemicals and hormones.
1. Physical benefits: Improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, decreased joint inflammation, and better flexibility
2. Mental health benefits: Reduced anxiety and depression, improved mental alertness, and enhanced emotional balance
3. Sleep benefits: Better quality of sleep, especially for people with insomnia or irregular sleep patterns
4. Immune system benefits: Increased production of Killer T cells, which help the body fight viruses
5. Athletic performance benefits: Increased productivity of muscles, tendons, and joints, and quicker recovery between workouts
6. Pain relief benefits: Reduced pain and soreness, and can help with pain from surgery or injury
7. Lymphatic system benefits: Draining the lymphatic system can reduce edema and fluid retention