Any massage therapist can attest that massage WILL help you sleep better. It’s quite common to experience a light snooze right on the table (we don’t mind if you do either)!
Massage relaxes both the mind and the body allowing you to drift into a state of pure relaxation during, and for hours after your session.
Now let’s dig into the science behind it…
Will Massage Help Me Sleep?
Sleep is a necessity. The more we want it, the harder it is to get. Thankfully, almost all kinds of massage can help both the brain and body relax.
Deep relaxation allows you to drift into dreamland- whether struggling with insomnia or simply wanting to catch up on beauty sleep. Insomnia and sleep deprivation don’t just leave you feeling blah – they can also lead to a range of mental, emotional and physical health conditions.
Massage can help you stay rested and stay well. Let’s chat about why one might not be getting great sleep.
Aches and Pains
Pain is one of the most common reasons we toss and turn at night. Massage can help by relaxing the muscles, stimulating blood flow, and calming the nerves. Not only will you get a great night’s sleep, but you’ll finally heal some of your pain issues.
Stress and Anxiety
The American Psychological Association estimates that at least 43% of us lose precious sleep due to stress and anxiety each night. This can trigger a vicious stress-sleep loss cycle that makes finding your calm harder.
Ever heard of the stress hormone Cortisol? It might be to blame. Cortisol (which is released when we are under stress), stimulates the nervous system and keeps us ready for action. This is great when we need a boost of energy, but not so helpful when we’re trying to fall asleep.
Massage can decrease cortisol levels and boosts feel-good serotonin levels, taking you from “fight-or-flight” to “rest”. Serotonin is also required to produce melatonin, a hormone that tells the brain to “chill out” and to prepare to sleep. When hormones are in proper balance, you’re well on your way to falling into that restorative sleep.
Perimenopause
Over 61% of perimenopausal women report having some sort of insomnia. Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and anxiety are enough to keep anyone awake!
Regular massages can help. Studies show that perimenopausal women who received regular massages had a significant decrease in insomnia, anxiety and depression.
In conclusion, next time you find yourself in a struggle to sleep well and get that rested feeling, consider booking a massage to help your body get back on track and lower those stress hormones, I promise you won’t regret it.
Katie Lowell, LMT
Wellness Co.
(616) 741-2364
