Massage Therapy for Better Mental Health

Have you ever considered massage therapy? Did you know that it could potentially boost your mental wellness? It’s true! Therapeutic massage has been shown to have several benefits for mental health. Here are a few ways that it can help:

1. Reducing stress and anxiety: Massage has been found to decrease levels of the stress hormone called cortisol, and increase levels of the “feel good” hormone called serotonin. This helps to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and slows our ruminating or frantic thought processes.
2. Improving mood: In addition, therapeutic massage has also been found to increase levels of dopamine and oxytocin. These are brain chemicals which can help to improve mood and feelings of well-being.
3. Enhancing relaxation: Massage therapy can help to promote relaxation by reducing muscle tension and promoting deep breathing. This can help to calm the mind and reduce feelings of anxiety. As the body shifts into a state of calm, we are able to release physical holding patterns and tension from the physiological nervous system. 
4. Alleviating symptoms of depression: Another mental health benefit of massage therapy is the reduction of depression symptoms. Research has indicated massage is associated with reduction in symptoms of depression. By increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation, this body-based treatment correlates with better mental health outcomes.
5. Improving sleep: As you can imagine, incorporating healing touch or bodywork can help to improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation. By helping your body switch into a parasympathetic state, massage aids in falling asleep, staying asleep, and getting better quality sleep.