Getting a massage for the first time can be a daunting experience for many people. However, there are many guidelines to make your first massage experience incredible. 

First, select a massage that you think you’ll be comfortable with. You can choose something less intense, such as a neck and shoulder massage. You set the pace: Don’t be afraid to ask your massage therapist to adjust their pressure, avoid or focus on certain areas or change anything that’s bothering you, such as lighting and music.

Secondly, have a shower just before you go to the spa. Once you’ve been checked in, you’ll either be taken to a changing room or straight to your treatment room. Your massage therapist will then step outside for a moment so you can remove any necessary clothing for the treatment. They’ll usually ask you what oil scent and pressure you prefer, as well as whether you have any areas of concern. After your massage, they’ll give you a few minutes to redress and collect your personal items. 

How Massage Reduces Stress and Increases Relaxation

it’s immensely helpful for reducing stress. How, though? (Apart from giving you the chance to lie down and doze off, of course.)

Firstly, massages are done in temperature-controlled rooms with low lighting and soft, ambient music. With sparse environmental stimuli, your brain has fewer alerts and less sensory information to respond to. Quiet music at certain BPM (beats per minute) speeds and low pitches also help us relax because it creates alpha waves in our brains, the same kind of electrical activity that takes place when we start falling asleep.

For most people, physical touch is comforting, and massage stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s “feel good” chemical signals. These chemicals decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure and slow down breathing and respiration, all of which lead to feeling relaxed. Sometimes, scents used in massage parlor air diffusers or in the massage oils themselves can calm the brain, particularly lavender and chamomile.

Massage is the New Must Have

For many people, massage is just an occasional treat. It’s an activity with which we spoil ourselves while away on vacation or to celebrate a birthday, milestone or other achievements. However, if possible, people should incorporate massage into their routines more often, using it to prevent ailments instead of only treating them once they’ve occurred. Why? There are numerous benefits that can only be gained through massage therapy, making it particularly advantageous. So, what do these advantages include?

Massage is incredibly relaxing. When we receive a massage, our brains release “feel good” chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and a range of endorphins. They help us feel happy and calm and can even lower blood pressure. In today’s frantic world, looking after your mental health is non-negotiable, and massage is the perfect way to do that.

Massage is also very good for our physical health. The movements massage therapists make encourage greater blood and lymphatic fluid flow. This means more oxygen and white blood cells are carried around the body which improves our immune system, physical recovery from injury, alertness and concentration. It’s vital to stay in peak physical shape, and massage allows you to enhance your well-being while unwinding, making it an essential component of any health care regimen.