Get Your Happy On! Mental Health and the Benefits of Massage…

‘I think it’s time for a massage…’.

Our clients regularly tell us that it’s family or friends who notice that they need a little lift before they do!

We often think of massage as being a good tool for melting away aches and pains, but the benefits of this 5000 year old practice go much further than simply ironing out muscle knots!

Massage can have a profound effect on your mental wellbeing and is increasingly recommended for those suffering from stress, anxiety and depression, as well as sleep disorders and other long-term conditions.

It’s easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day living that we don’t realise we are beginning to dip in energy and mood, attributing our feelings to other things. The great news is, for those who are new to the world of massage, if you’re feeling a bit flat, anxious or are having a hard time sleeping, massage can offer relief. Studies into the effects of massage show that, in addition to relieving pain, regular massage sessions can help improve your mental health and is increasingly recommended by GPs as a way of improving wellbeing.

So leaving the oversized chocolate bar in the cupboard, and adding massage to your battery of feel-good tools is a great move. But how does it work?

It all starts with the release of Endorphins, those lovely little hormones that makes us feel good when we go for a run, watch a good movie or eat said chocolate. During a massage session, the increase of these endorphins swimming around your system calms and relaxes your body and mind. And as how we feel inside can colour so much of how we cope with our day-to-day lives, this is why many people enjoy a massage as part of their regular week.

Harmony through Hormones

Massage is known to help those suffering from depression, by lifting your mood naturally, through the release of these endorphins, namely:

– Dopamine, the ‘happy hormone’, stimulates the reward centre in your brain, and provides a natural high, giving a feeling of contentment. Through manipulation of your muscles and tendons, massage releases this hormone into your system.

– Serotonin. This is the hormone that anti-depressants increase levels of – it’s a calming hormone which soothes and relaxes, and aids sleep. Massage is a natural way to increase serotonin levels

– Oxytocin, ‘the love hormone’ which helps increase social bonding. It’s released during a cuddle, holding babies (and, research suggests, stroking puppies to name just a few things!) Through touch, oxytocin levels are increased during massage.

Massage can also help those suffering from stress reducing the levels of cortisol (stress hormone) in your system.

Cortisol provides ‘fight or flee’ signal which is triggered in a stressful situation and gets us ready to act. In the good old days of loin cloths and sitting round a fire, this might have been a mammoth or a sabre-toothed tiger; nowadays it’s likely to be a work deadline or a weekend visit from the in-laws. And as increased cortisone levels from stress are associated with stroke, diabetes and heart issues, finding ways of managing stress are vital to keeping healthy. Massage can help to de-stress, and recharge your batteries – even from a single session.

Maresia Spa & Massage – the whole massage experience!

Whilst the science is compelling enough to recommend integrating massage with your wellbeing regime, there’s nothing more powerful than word of mouth! Here at Maresia Spa & Massage, we understand that a first class massage is about the whole experience. This is why we work hard to ensure that our comfortable surroundings, and our friendly, qualified staff provide our clients with a memorable massage that they are happy to recommend to their friends and family!

We offer a range of massage practices, from Thai Massage, Deep Tissue Massage to Lymphatic Drainage Massage, amongst other treatments. All are delivered by our experienced practitioners who understand that there are many reasons why their clients come for a massage and are happy to answer your questions.

So if you are feeling a little under the weather, a massage may be just the thing you need to sweep away those Monday blues.

Get in touch today or book online at a time to suit you! We cover the whole Enfield area and are within easy reach of the following…

Southgate (2.4m) | Cockfosters (4.6m) | Winchmore Hill (1.2m) | Palmers Green (2.2m) | Barnet (4.6m) | Edmonton (1.7m) | Oakwood (2.2m) | Wood Green (3.2m)