Fitting in regular massage therapy has so many physical benefits like increasing circulation and flexibility, enhancing immunity, providing greater energy, but it is also very good for your mental health.
October 10th is World Mental Health Day. The Mental Health Centre reports: A meta-analysis of 17 clinical studies found a significant reduction in depressive symptoms following engagement in a massage therapy program. According to the authors, all of the studies analyzed found that massage produced significant antidepressant effects.
The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami has conducted numerous studies concerning massage and mental health. The results include findings that massage therapy effectively reduces symptoms associated with:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Other mental health conditions
Massage therapy is also widely used as a complementary treatment for digestive disorders, headaches, fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, as well as a wide range of other conditions.
Although researchers don’t know exactly why massage therapy has such marked benefits for depression, anxiety and other mental disorders, it’s believed that it reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, lowers blood pressure and heart rate and increases serotonin and oxytocin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in stabilizing your mood and promoting sleep, while oxytocin, dubbed the “love hormone,” has anti-anxiety effects and promotes feelings of relaxation, trust and psychological stability. Experts also believe that massage produces feelings of comfort and connection as a result of caring physical contact.
Additionally, stress reduction goes a long way toward improving your overall physical and mental health and well-being. Stress plays a role in many health conditions, including addiction, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension and heart disease.