There’s no escaping the truth; winter is officially here again. The days are shorter, the sweaters are thicker, and the air is colder. During this time of year, it’s not unusual for people to get the ‘winter blues’ – which is a condition many people in the northern hemisphere are afflicted with due to lack of sunlight during the colder and darker winter months.

The good news for everyone is that massage therapy can help increase health happiness for everyone during the colder months of the year. Here a few reasons why.

Massage May Help to Banish Seasonal Affective Disorder

As we’ve mentioned, Seasonal Affective Disorder – sometimes known as the winter blues – is a problem for many people when there’s less natural sunlight. This is because sunlight causes the brain to release a feel-good chemical called serotonin that improves our mood. When there’s less sunlight, less serotonin is produced, which can lead to low mood, lethargy, and difficulties in getting out of bed in the morning. In some people, it can even cause serious depression enough to warrant visiting a doctor. It’s not a happy place to be, but the good news is that booking in a regular massage can help to lift a low mood. A regular massage session will help to relax stressed minds and bodies, as well as releasing the serotonin and endorphins, the same chemicals produced by the body when you’re happy.

It Can Give Your Circulation A Boost

Massage therapy may also help boost circulation during the time of the year when nobody wants to get up and go outside for a run. Everybody knows that getting regular exercise helps keep your circulation running smoothly and also helps deliver oxygenated blood pumped around our bodies faster. This is all very well, but a lack of movement in the winter months can result in feeling sluggish, while poor blood flow can lead to lethargy, aches, and pains. Here’s where a massage has extra benefits; it can help your blood to pass through any congested areas and boost the overall flow, which also helps the lymphatic system to remove waste that builds up. At the same time, massage is well known to help decrease blood pressure.

It May Help Your Body to Fight Off Minor Infections

For anybody who’s prone to suffering from colds and infections during the winter season, massage might be the way forward. It’s been found that massage sessions can help to boost the effectiveness of the immune system. Consider it a preventative step in helping to fight off the bugs and viruses that circulate in offices, shops, and schools at this time of year. A gentle massage of the area around the lymph nodes also encourages white blood cells to circulate. As this increases blood flow, it also stimulates the white blood cells to start fighting any infection in your body.

These are just a few of the many benefits that massage therapy can bring during winter. Of course, there’s also the feel-good aspect of a warming massage, delightful aromatic massage oils, and even just the act of taking time out to look after yourself when you need it. 

Massages at Massage Artistry are customized to fit your personal preferences: pressure, aromatherapy, etc. If you’re needing to be uplifted from a couple of rough weeks or recuperating from a couple of tough weeks in the gym, the massage is what you need. Book your next appointment today.