19 Dec Relax The Body

What is a Good Way to Relax Your Body?

Stress is the biggest driver of health issues for the vast majority of us. It is essential to one’s health to get down time; complete relaxation of body & mind.

Most people know the benefits of massage with regard to relaxing the body and creating an overall sense of well-being. But, do you know what is really happening while you are on the massage table getting your massage?

Massage and mediation both bring your mind & body out of the ‘Stress cycle” or ‘Fight or Flight” phase of the autonomic nervous system. Our Sympathetic Nervous system. Our bodies are designed to be in this phase only for short periods of time. When we are stressed, most of the day, 5 to 6 days a week, the chemicals in our bodies that are meant to only be released in these short periods of time, are now being released quite excessively. Mainly Cortisol. This creates a strong beginning for deterioration of the body’s homeostasis. Our natural balance that allows all of our body’s systems to function at full capacity, like a well-oiled machine.

When you get regular massage, you get a full hour, or 90 minutes, of downtime. This is healing time, much like our sleep cycle. This is another method of getting your mind & body ‘in the flow’ and restoring the body’s homeostasis. Your body and mind are at rest, and your systems are relaxed. The cortisol levels are reduced as your body’s own ‘settings’ work on bringing you back into balance, and the increased circulation more effectively carries the oxygen and nutrients in your blood to all your systems & areas that need it. This is where healing begins!  It’s a wonderful thing. It’s nature at it’s very best.

So, when you get a massage, you are jump-starting your body’s own healing capability.  Your body and mind are very adaptable. The more you practice something, like regular massage, regular meditation, regular deep breathing, getting good sleep at night,  the greater “setting” you create within yourself to stay out of stress and you increase your level of function. Your systems are running high & effectively.

Massage is not just for vacation anymore. It is an important tool in Integrative Health. I encourage you to learn more about the many health benefits of massage.

I hope you enjoy your day & send out wishes of excellent health!

Susan L. Chasse, B.A., LMP

Book a relaxing session today!

Susan Chasse

Susan L. Chasse, B.A., LMP is the president and main practitioner at Essence of The Sun Bodywork and Massage. Susan graduated from the Ohio State University with a bachelor degree in Psychology and has spent many years educating herself in Fitness and Health.