Massage therapy Bothell
It’s getting colder outside, stores are starting to play Christmas music, and the streets are filled with decorations and lights. It’s clear that the holidays are just around the corner. The holidays are a time of joy; spending time with family and friends, going shopping for gifts, eating tasty desserts and meals, decorating, and looking at window displays. While the holidays are a fun, festive, and comforting time, they unfortunately can also bring a lot of additional stress.
Anyone who has worked a retail job during the holidays knows how stressful and busy it is. Even in your personal life, running around trying to get everything done in time can be very stressful. To make things worse, other people are all out to do the same thing, causing crowding, shortages, and traffic. There are things to plan, places to be, meals to prepare, and more. All of this adds up to create a stressful time for many people. Many people put the needs and wants of others before their own during the holidays as they show their appreciation and caring. This means that people may neglect their own needs and not take care of themselves as much as they should during the holiday season, leading to burnout.
Stress doesn’t just manifest in mental symptoms; it can impact your immune system, give you headaches, and more. One great way to help manage your stress during the holiday season is through massage therapy. A massage session usually doesn’t take too long out of your busy schedule. Massages can release hormones that promote relaxation throughout the body and calm down the nervous system. It can take you out of “fight-or-flight” mode and help you relax. This is very beneficial for managing stress during the holiday season.
Massage can help you feel energized and more mentally resilient. Massage stimulates the nerves and muscles in the body, which can help you feel prepared to tackle your to-do-list. Because massage helps to relieve pain and discomfort, it can help you feel renewed energy. After getting a massage, you may also find yourself more mentally prepared to deal with family members and get things done. Holiday spirit aside, massage can help boost your spirits and improve mood. It’s been found to reduce depression and anxiety levels. Depression levels are often higher in the winter because of the shorter, darker days. Massage therapy can be a natural way to increase dopamine and serotonin levels.
Another benefit to massage therapy is that it can boost your immune system. Stress and cold weather are both factors that can weaken your immune system during the winter. Not only that, but it’s cold and flu season this time of year. The last thing that you want is to be sick when you’re expecting company. Everyone knows how it feels to miss out on a fun time because they are sick. The good news is that massage therapy can help boost the immune system so you’re less likely to fall ill. Massage can help the immune system by lowering blood pressure, improving circulation, increasing the number of lymphocytes (white blood cells), and reducing stress.
Massage Therapy in Bothell, Wa.
Cold weather can increase body aches, which is very unpleasant and can make daily functioning difficult. This is especially true if you already have chronic joint or muscle pain. In warmer months, the muscles and tendons of the body are looser and more flexible. Winter can make the body stiffer, contributing to aching and pain. Some areas of the body in particular where people experience these symptoms are the neck, back, hips, feet, and hands. When you receive massage, it promotes blood circulation throughout the body and warms you up to your core. Massage relaxes tension in the muscles and takes pressure off of nerves. Massage can also reduce inflammation, which relieves joint pain.
Many of our patients at Bothell Integrated Health find that massage helps them get better sleep at night. Massage can help people feel more well-rested and less fatigued when they wake up. Many people with insomnia are able to fall asleep easier when they are regularly having massage sessions. Massage has shown to stimulate serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter in the body. It can reduce depression and anxiety, but also aid in melatonin production. Melatonin is in charge of regulating your sleep patterns, so more natural melatonin can mean more restful sleep. During the stress of the holidays, proper sleep can help you be prepared to make the most of every day.
When you are working overtime for the holidays, especially at a job where you have to stand up and be active, you may become overworked. The work associated with the holidays in your personal life may also cause you to overextend yourself. Cleaning your house for guests, putting up lights, getting decorations out of the attic or basement, carrying heavy bags, and more all take a physical toll. Unless you’re usually physically active, you probably aren’t used to moving around so much. Massage sessions can help your body recover faster if you are overworking yourself during the holidays.
Lastly- massages are a great way to treat yourself during the holidays. After the hustle and bustle of a day during the holiday season, it’s nice to be able to relax at a massage appointment. It can help you unwind and relieve stress. Self-care is important towards maintaining your health and mental well-being. You do so much for your family and friends; they want you to take care of yourself too. If you are dealing with pain or stress, massage is an effective treatment option. Massage is an excellent gift to give yourself this holiday season.
Reach out to Bothell Integrated Health to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced medical massage therapists. Whether you are looking for pain relief, reduced stress, or improved mental health, we are ready to help you. When you meet with us, we will carry out an initial exam and ask about your health history. Our experts will create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Bothell Integrated Health’s massage therapy is just what you need to help you get through the holiday season.
