Wow, it's been so long - much longer than I realised - since I last wrote anything here! All the usual reasons why... Life got in the way, time, time, and yes, you guessed it, time! Well, maybe it's 'time' to stop procrastinating about that and get on with it!
So, a topic that's been on my mind for absolutely ages - and a question every few weeks or so that when I begin to teach my students about it, I discuss with them too and ask.
Massage. Do you see getting a massage as a treat for yourself? A little pamper now and then?
If, like my students, you answer yes to this question, then this couldn't be further from the truth.
"What are you talking about" I hear you cry! Of course, laying on a massage couch from anything between 30 - 90 minutes is a treat, so, in many ways it is a double standard here, but what many people aren't aware of are the health and wellbeing effects of regular massage and what they have on our body.
In a nutshell, during your massage your blood and lymphatic circulatory systems are stimulated. When the blood pumps around the body as it should, it then travels to the organs, bones, muscles etc, this in turn means that they are being fed with fresh oxygenated blood, therefore will work / function how they should, which in turn keeps you healthy, which in turn reduces - possibly even could prevent - illness or injury etc. How amazing is that? Obviously this is a very short analogy of an amazing thing that can happen as a result of regular massage! So, why is it that we, as a society here in the UK, see massage as a treat, yet other countries don't? Answer is, it generally comes with an expensive price tag in the West! If any of you have travelled to Asia, for example, you can have a massage for as little as a few pound! Making it affordable and accessible to many.
The effects and benefits of massage are incredible and in case you are unaware of what they are, here are just a few for you:
* aids relaxation
* relieves stress, tension and anxiety
* gives a sense of wellbeing
* aids sleep
* reduces muscular aches and pains
* induces a feeling of calm
* improves your mood
Massage is so therapeutic and my wish is that more people realise the amazing benefits of taking time out, not only for self care, but also as a preventative measure for your health and your wellbeing and so as your body and mind can reap the long term effects and benefits and that it becomes more accessible to everyone.
Thanks for reading ☺
