How Can Massage Help With The Winter Blues?
Posted on 6th October 2024 at 15:17
Winter is a season filled with crisp mornings, cosy sweaters, and the joy of hot chocolate by the fire. But for many people, it’s also a time when their mood takes a nosedive. You might notice yourself feeling more sluggish, low on energy, or just plain “blah” as the days get shorter and the cold weather creeps in. If that sounds like you, you’re not alone! The winter blues or what’s officially known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), can affect anyone and tends to peak during the colder months.
Fortunately, there are some simple ways to help manage SAD, and one of those is massage!
Bye-bye, stress!
Winter can bring with it a ton of stress. Holiday planning, financial pressures, and even the dark, chilly days can weigh you down. Stress, as we know, is one of the biggest mood killers. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol – a hormone linked to feelings of anxiety and tension.
Massage therapy helps to lower cortisol levels significantly. The rhythmic motions, pressure, and soothing environment all combine to send a message to your nervous system: “It’s time to relax.” This drop in cortisol can give you an immediate sense of calm, making you feel more balanced and at ease, which is just what you need when winter has you feeling overwhelmed.
Boosting those happy hormones
Massage doesn’t just get rid of the bad stuff like cortisol; it also boosts the good stuff —namely, serotonin and dopamine. These are your body’s natural “feel-good” hormones that help regulate your mood, promote feelings of happiness, and even improve your sleep.
During a massage, your body releases both serotonin and dopamine, which are essential for stabilising your mood. The release of these hormones can have lasting effects, helping you feel more positive, energised, and ready to tackle even the darkest of days. In other words, a massage can leave you walking out of the spa feeling like you’re floating on a cloud, and who couldn’t use more of that in winter?
Improving circulation (aka warming you up!)
There’s no getting around it, winter is just cold. The drop in temperature can leave your muscles feeling stiff and tight, especially if you’re sitting more due to the colder weather. Whether you’re cooped up indoors or just trying to keep warm, your body tends to hold on to tension during winter.
Massage therapy stimulates blood flow, helping to improve circulation and warm up your muscles. This not only helps relieve stiffness but also leaves you with that warm, rejuvenated feeling from head to toe. Plus, better circulation means more oxygen to your brain and muscles, leaving you feeling more energised, so you can say goodbye to that “I can’t get out of bed” feeling!
Better sleep, brighter mornings
The shorter days of winter can throw off your body’s internal clock, making it harder to get good, restful sleep. Lack of sleep can have a serious impact on your mood, making you feel groggy, irritable, and more prone to the winter blues.
Massage helps to promote better sleep by activating your parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming you down and getting you ready for rest. A massage before bed — or even earlier in the day — can relax your muscles, ease your mind, and set the stage for a deep, restorative night of sleep. When you sleep better, you wake up feeling more refreshed and ready to take on whatever winter throws your way.
The power of human touch
Winter can sometimes feel isolating. With the cold weather and shorter days, it’s easy to feel disconnected from others. And if you live in a colder climate, you might not be seeing your friends and family as often.
This is where the power of human touch becomes so important. Research has shown that physical touch can help release oxytocin, often called the “love hormone.” Oxytocin promotes feelings of closeness, bonding, and emotional warmth. So, even a simple, therapeutic massage can give you a sense of connection and emotional relief.
A natural boost to your immune system
Feeling down in winter is often linked with feeling physically unwell. Cold and flu season is at its peak, and when your immune system is under attack, it can add to your emotional stress. The last thing you need is to catch a cold on top of already feeling the winter blues.
Luckily, massage can help boost your immune system! Studies have shown that regular massages increase your body’s production of lymphocytes — those all-important white blood cells that help fight off infections. So, not only will massage make you feel better emotionally, but it could also help keep you healthier physically during the winter months.
Carving out time for self-care
Sometimes, the winter blues come from the simple fact that we’re not taking enough time for ourselves. With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to neglect self-care. A massage offers you a dedicated block of time to tune out the world and focus on yourself — something that’s especially important when the days are dark and busy.
Whether it’s a full-body massage, a targeted head, neck, and shoulder session, or even a foot massage, this dedicated time to relax can be a powerful way to recharge. Making massage part of your winter wellness routine is a great way to show yourself some love and keep your spirits up.
Ready to book a massage and stay well this winter? Contact our friendly team today!
Tagged as: mental health, winter
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