Regular massage is a widely used technique in many cultures to treat chronic stress and anxiety and deserves serious consideration. Consistent anecdotal evidence, a long history of widespread use of massage for stress reduction, and positive findings of open trials support the view that regular massage therapy reduces the severity of chronic moderate anxiety in general, and specifically when anxiety is related to test-taking or problem-solving, work stress or the anticipation of invasive medical procedures.
How Massage Gets Your Brain in Gear
When pressure is applied to the body’s muscles during a massage it helps stimulate the flow and production of neurotransmitters from three main systems: the endocrine system, the nervous system and the immune system.
Three Neurotransmitters That Enliven the Brain:
Massage stimulates the production of specific neurotransmitters that focus on unique aspects of health. Here are three that improve overall health as well as high brain function:
Serotonin regulates mood, appetite, sleep and promotes a sense of contentment
Dopamine induces pleasure and reward responses
Oxytocin supports feelings of love and warmth
Increased Concentration:
An overwhelming amount of doctor visits are connected to issues that deal with stress, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and fatigue, which you may recognize from the list above as the most common causes of poor concentration. Massage has proven to reduce all of the indicators of stress through the following ways.
Diminishing tension in your muscles
When you get a therapeutic massage, your body is given a simple reminder to loosen up. This will relieve any tension you have been experiencing in your muscles, which helps lower the symptoms of stress in your body. You will be left with more energy and mental capacity afterwards.
Alleviate pain
Pain can be a huge detriment to your concentration abilities because it’s distracting, it disturbs sleep, and it can cause your body to feel exhausted on a regular basis. Massage can be directly targeted towards pain relief, and help reduce it effects, so your concentration can improve.
Increased blood circulation
With decreased muscle tension, tight muscles stop contracting on your primary blood vessels which increases blood flow. Pain relief will soon follow, and your brain will be supplied with more oxygen, and therefore improved concentration begins.
Stronger immune system
Massage improves and supports your body’s immune system. With regular massage, you can reduce the amount of infections that can hinder your concentration.
Sleep better
More and more evidence of massage research is finding how massage can drastically improve sleep quality. When you have less muscle tension, are more relaxed, experience less pain, and have healthy circulation, of course you are going to sleep more soundly. And adult needs at least 8 hours of sleep to concentrate at their highest level.
Release of endorphins
Massage releases endorphins, like serotonin and dopamine, in your body which is another way you can reach improved circulation. Also, depression and anxiety have been linked to an inadequate amount of these two substances. When you increase their flow, you get a feel good sensation, and depression and anxiety will stay away.
Let our skilled team of therapist help you to better prepare for those pesky exams! Call Skin to Soul today to schedule your appointment and start sleeping better, feel less stressed and increase focus.
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