How have your New Year’s resolutions been going? Did revamping your wellness routine make it on your list this year? There are three things that always seem to make their way to the top of everyone’s lists; eating healthier, getting more exercise, and losing weight. All three are relative to people’s wellness routines. The new year is a fantastic time to re-evaluate what we are doing to take care of ourselves. One thing that should be a part of your self- care routine is regular massage. There are several health benefits to receiving regular massage that could help your wellness routine shine brighter than ever. Not to mention, treating yourself should always be a part of your wellness routine. Revamping your wellness routine with massage benefits your health, plus treating yourself will equal a happy and healthy New Year!

Benefits of Massage

• Stress Relief and Eliminating Insomnia

• Massage improves circulation in the body and promotes muscle relaxation creating a relaxing state of being

• Massage also improves the mood with the release of endorphins and serotonin assisting our body in letting go of stress and providing the means to help fall asleep

• During massage cortisol levels are falling, decreased cortisol means decreased stress

• Headache and Migraine Relief

• Massage stimulates the release of hormones, such as serotonin, that produce a state and feeling of well-being

• The increased and improved circulation provides better blood flow to the brain relieving the pain and tension felt from headaches

• Immune System Booster

• Regular massage has proven to boost the immune system, increased endorphins being one of the helpful aspects

• Massage increases the number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) which are a huge part of the immune system as they help to fight disease

• Massage lowers cytokines, which are molecules that play a role in inflammation. High levels of cytokines are found in people with disease

• There are also decreased cortisol (stress hormone) and vasopressin (tells kidneys how much water to store) levels, which means your body is less stressed and able to maintain hydration

• Assists in Toxin Removal

• Massage assists in the movement of lymph which helps tissue excrete toxins from the body

• Improved circulation also assists in toxin removal, however, do no forget to hydrate to optimize your body’s ability to rid itself of toxins

• Chronic Pain Relief, Sports Injuries, and Soft Tissue Injuries

• Massage reduces nerve compression and relaxes muscle tissues which reduces contractions and spasms

• Increased circulation feeds the body with blood and oxygen creating an environment for healing to occur

• Regular massage allows for trouble areas to be targeted and attended to

The amount of health benefits that come along with regular massage are endless, but the above are a few to help you understand just how important massage is for your wellness. It is so easy for us to get caught up in all that the New Year brings. From gatherings and elaborate meals to figuring out your resolutions and hearing about others, we get caught up. We get caught up in the company that surrounds us and what they plan to do in order to better their new year. However, if we continue on this path of forgetting about ourselves and our needs, how are we supposed to accomplish anything? How are we supposed to accomplish our list of resolutions the rest of the year? It may be a hard concept to grasp, but treating yourself is part of keeping yourself well. What better way to improve your health and treat yourself than with massage? After all, self-care can prevent, delay, and reduce health issues.

It is not too late to add to your list of resolutions, make regular massage part of your New Year’s resolutions. All in all, by doing so you will be improving your health on several different levels! Everyone strives for a healthier lifestyle as part of their resolutions, regular massage is creating the foundation for you to live a happier and healthier life this new year.