Stress is part of our daily lives. From worrying about finances to the fear of missing deadlines, stress can exhibit itself in multiple forms. This article will explore some of the adverse consequences that stress has on the human body and how the benefits of massage therapy can lead to alleviation of stress and an improved sense of wellbeing.
How Stress Affects The Body
Stress is our bodys’ response to any intrinsic or extrinsic stimulus. The biological response to a said stimulus can range from a simple homeostatic change to a life-threatening reaction.
Common sources of stress that an average person experiences, such as work or prolonged exposure to stressful situations, can increase the likelihood of developing many disorders.
Stress-related hormones, such as cortisol, actually have a profound impact on many parts of the body. However, the main worry stems out of the structural changes that occur in the brain due to long-term exposure to stress.
Two areas of the brain that are responsible for memory and cognition, the Amygdala and Hippocampus respectively, have been shown to undergo atrophy and activation of neurodegenerative processes. This means that there is a noticeable decline of spatial memory, verbal memory and cognition, which may give rise to certain mood disorders.
Other effects on the body include insomnia, a weakened immune system, an increased risk of cardiac events (due to increased blood pressure), heartburn and headaches.
How Stress Affects Your Mental Health
Stress and mental health are closely related. The problems of long-term exposure to stress are exacerbated by factors such as one’s access to social support, the number and severity of the stressors and if one has an undiagnosed mental health condition.
Since it is vitally important to talk to others if you feel like you have too much on your plate, not doing so can actually cause a decline in your mental health.
How Massages Can Relieve Stress
There are a variety of massage therapy benefits that directly help in reducing your overall stress levels. Massage therapy promotes proper blood circulation and enhances the body’s release of endorphins – the body’s natural pain killers. Regular massages also help increase Dopamine and Serotonin levels in your body and help reduce anxiety and depression.
Several types of massages, such as deep tissue and Swedish massages, are proven to help alleviate stress.
A deep tissue massage aims to target soft tissues that sit deep in our body. A buildup of tension in muscles, often associated with stress, actually worsens the pain and restricts movement, therefore exacerbating the effects of stress.
The aim of a deep tissue massage is to relieve the tension by stretching and spreading muscles to aid relaxation.
There are also numerous full body massage benefits as well.
A full body massage, as the name suggests, attempts to target the whole body. The whole experience of a full body massage – the dim lights, light music, soft-touch – adds to the relaxation experience.
Conclusion
As we’ve discussed above, stress is not only a part of our daily lives but can also severely impede one’s mental health.
This is why paying attention to your body is so important, especially when it comes to do with stress.
If you’re suffering from long-term stress, then why not sign up to DCompress Downtown and receive a 20% discount towards your first massage or facial treatment? You only need to provide your contact details and you’ll be on your way to relieving your stress-induced problems.
For more information, please call 619-940-7556. Due to COVID-19, there have been some changes to the membership program at DCompress Downtown. Please feel free to visit our website for more details.