Having regular massage during winter is a great way to support your body and mind to be
healthier. With the risk of cold, virus and flu increased during these months, the activity you
do, the food you eat and the way you look after your body, really can make a difference.
There are several benefits to a winter massage, and these include:
- Improving circulation
- Treating the aches and pains that can be exacerbated during winter months
- Boosting your immune system
- Improving your mental health
How does massage do all this?
Massage is well known for promoting increased circulation (blood flow to joints and muscles)
as well as improving lymphatic flow, which helps move healthy nutrients through the body
and filter out toxins and waste.
Massage can decrease cortisol levels, which in turn can boost the production of the immune
cells that help fight off winter cold and flu.
Massage helps improve your sleep patterns, and a good night’s sleep also boosts your
immunity.
Massage can ease inflammation, reduce muscle tightness and improve pain. Researchers
have found a connection between pain and an immune response, so preventing acute
inflammation from becoming chronic, could prevent many diseases. Treatments that help
reduce inflammation are important to our immune system, as are the healthy lifestyle
choices we make, and the foods we eat (our gut microbiome also plays an important role in
inflammatory and immune responses).
Massage can make a difference to our mental health too, promoting the release of our
body’s natural feel-good hormones (serotonin and endorphins), which can ease depression
and anxiety, encouraging rest and relaxation, so you can better cope with times of stress.
There really are so many amazing health benefits to having a massage in winter!
But what about if I’m already sick? Then make sure you put off having the massage, rest
well and recover. Otherwise, you may feel worse, your body is already working hard trying to
heal so this puts more pressure on your immune system. Your body will also be more
sensitive to pain and your muscles won’t really like it. Your massage therapist and other
clients will also appreciate you not sharing your illness with us. So, if you need to cancel, let
us know as soon as you can, so we can reschedule to another time.