Make This the Year for a Body Breakthrough!

How massage can help you achieve your New Year’s resolution.

If you’re like most people, you have a health and wellness resolution on your list this year. And, also like most people, you probably had a similar resolution on your list last year. If you gave it up by January 31, you might want to consider adding a secret weapon this year – massage. Here are a few reasons why:

Massage can lead to more effective workouts.

One of the benefits of therapeutic massage is that it can improve circulation, which brings muscles the oxygen-rich blood that they need to recover after a workout. Massage also helps to increase flexibility and range of motion, which is helpful in making workouts more effective – and prevents injury. When an injury does happen, massage therapy can even be used to speed up the recovery process.

Massage boosts wellness and immunity.

People who live with high levels of stress get sick more often than those who have learned to manage it well, through stress-reducing activities such as exercise and massage. It’s not just the stress reduction that has immunity-boosting benefits, however; massage itself increases the activity of “killer cells” in the body, while reducing T-cells, which leads to an overall increase in immunity. This is important because it reduces the likelihood that your new routine will be derailed by illness.

Massage is the perfect way to reward yourself in a non-caloric way.

Keeping track of pounds lost and celebrating progress is an often-recommended strategy for keeping your weight loss momentum moving forward. Many people are used to rewarding themselves with food, however – a habit that needs to change when a healthier lifestyle is the goal. Massage is the perfect reward, because it actually adds to your weight loss momentum, making it easier for you to continue achieving your goals in the future.

Massage can help you overcome self-consciousness.

For a lot of people who are overweight or obese, feelings of self-consciousness may actually be a barrier to participating in the kinds of activities that they would benefit from the most – such as exercising at a gym, or undressing for a massage. It’s important for people in this situation to know that professional massage therapists are used to working on bodies of all shapes and sizes. Modesty and privacy are also priorities. During a massage, the entire body is draped with a sheet, and the only area that is exposed is the area being worked on at that moment. For self-conscious people, taking the small step of booking that first massage could open the door to a healthier, more confident future.

Massage puts a supportive cheerleader in your corner.

Experts agree that people with a strong support system are more likely to succeed in making positive lifestyle changes. One of the benefits of Massage Envy’s membership program is the ability to build a relationship with a massage therapist who really knows you and your body, as well as your health and fitness goals. Our massage therapists love to see people get healthy, and can provide you with the support and encouragement that you need to keep going along the way.

Do you have a health and wellness resolution on your list this year? What plans have you made to make sure you succeed? Let us know in the comments below!