Knowing that Spring can be a time of frustration helps me to be a little less hard on myself for the moodiness and dissatisfaction that comes upon me in late March and April. I’ve never really recognized the pattern until now, but sure enough…
So, remembering the feeling I have after experiencing self care, body treatments, connections with loved ones, alone time, quiet time… gives me something to focus on in the frustrating moments. I can proactively pull myself out of the doldrums or the frustrating monkey-mind cycles.
It’s also science 🙂
Massage affects our brains by way of our hormones.
Chemicals that are released:
Serotonin: regulates mood, hunger and sleep, promotes a sense of well-being and contentment, helps tissue heal more quickly and efficiently.
Dopamine: reward system of the brain. Gives a sense of pleasure
Oxytocin: enhances feelings of love and connectedness (the hormone released by nursing mothers!) Most effectively released during gentle massage.
Massage also increases Delta waves which are the waves linked to sleep.
Conversely:
Massage decreases:
Cortisol: the stress hormone which elevates blood pressure and lowers immunity.
Adrenaline and Noradrenaline: the fight or flight hormones that raise blood pressure and heart rate and elevate blood glucose levels.
Book a massage appointment at Bodies on Point to take care of your muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons and ALSO to enhance your mood and flood you with feelings of connectedness, love and peace!! 