Most people will read this post and think to themselves “I need a massage” and yet very few will make the few clicks or taps required to book one…we need to start asking ourselves why?
The past few years has seen an explosion in all things ‘wellness’. A quick #wellness search on Instagram yields over 5 million image results of food, exercise and inspirational quotes. Wellness is now a state of mind with the food we consume, the exercise we undertake, our emotional consciousness and how we live our lives. There is however, very little mention of massage.
Why, when we want to lead balanced, healthy lifestyles do we forget one of the oldest forms of treatment known to man? To many, massage is considered a luxury treat enjoyed once a year on a spa day, but regular massage offers so much more and has a long term positive effect for two reasons:
The body: Massage improves circulation by increasing the level of oxygen in the blood. Improved circulation also speeds up the body’s lymphatic system which is responsible for the removal of toxins. It’s also great for tired muscles and removing those ever present knots we all have.
The mind: The psychological effects of massage can not be underestimated but we are a long way from placing it on the same level of importance as our physical wellbeing. In today’s fast paced lifestyles people get stressed. They get anxiety issues and/or depression. They develop sleep problems. They constantly struggle to find the right ‘balance’ in life and they worry about work, relationships, family, and the fact that they are feeling this way. This is not a minority of people, it’s now the majority and I hear it time and time again when treating clients. In my bespoke aromatherapy course, treatment for the nervous system is by far the most common request.
Massage offers a ‘time out’ pass, a rare chance to fully relax and shut out the world. Using essential oils in aromatherapy further increases the results due to the chemical compounds found in nature’s plants, flowers, fruits and roots. There is a reason why lavender is often found in night creams – it relaxes and helps induce sleep. Citrus fruits such as lemon, grapefruit and lime awaken the senses – hence why our morning shower gels tend to be on the fruity side.
The Romans viewed massage as a core element of their battle plan. It wasn’t just to soothe the sore muscles of battle weary gladiators, it was given before battle to clear the mind so it could fully focus on the task ahead. It was considered a key psychological tool in battle warfare…our modern day ‘warfare’ may be office politics, childcare issues or a PB on the treadmill, but it’s warfare all the same.
So people, do as the Roman’s did! Make massage a core part of your wellness and lifestyle regime to make tackling life that little bit easier. The mind is our greatest and most used asset, let’s give it the care and attention it deserves.
If this has inspired you to make those few clicks or taps to book, go to www.aromarestoratives.co.uk/treatments
