5 Reasons Why You Should Never Feel Guilty Getting a Massage

People everywhere, especially women, seem to feel guilty about taking time out to look after themselves. It’s OK when it’s a gym session, because that’s virtuous and ‘hard work’ – but if all we’re investing our time in is an hour or so of being relaxed beyond belief at the hands of a massage therapist, it’s as if we’re committing a deadly sin by prioritising our wellbeing. God forbid it feels good while doing it.

Well, here is some news for you. Your well-being is important, and self-care is a vital part of looking after that well-being. Even if you’re a busy parent, worker, or career person, you need to take time to do something good for yourself because if you are depleted and tired, you’ll have no energy to do anything for the other people who need you. You are no good to anybody if you are not good to yourself first.

You know it makes sense.

Sometimes, though, other people can try to make you feel as if indulging yourself in a massage is a (sometimes selfish) waste of time when you could be doing something else (usually what they want you to do). So, here are five good…very good reasons you can give to other people if they ever give you a hard time for getting your regular massage.

1.     A good massage will help relieve muscle tension.

Muscle tension can lead to headaches, which put you in a grouch. Nobody wants a grouchy parent, partner, friend, or co-worker, do they? Therefore, tell them you’re going for a massage and that they will thank you for it when you return with a sunny disposition. So, you can sort of say you’re doing it for their own good. That may be a reach. But is it?

2.     It helps you sleep!

If your insomnia is starting to irritate your family – and wake them up too – tell them you’re going for a massage because you don’t want their sleep to suffer along with yours. True story! A massage helps to boost serotonin levels, which have been proven to help with sleep. Being tired makes you so much less productive at work, too, so a decent massage helps you work smarter.

3.     Suffering from chronic pain?

It’s an expensive business, isn’t it? If the cost of your pain meds is starting to mount up, see if getting a massage regularly might help you reduce the amount of drugs you need to take. Then you’ll be saving money and not using so many drugs, both of which put you at an advantage.

4.     Support your immune system!

Are you constantly getting colds, coughs, and infections that you end up passing on to everyone else? Avoid becoming the office pariah for your germ-spreading and try a massage instead. Deep tissue and Swedish massage have been proven to support the lymphatic system, which is your body’s defense system against illness. Or, take the express route and go straight for a manual lymphatic drainage massage.

5.     Elevates positive mood!

They want you to be happy, don’t they? This has to be the #1 reason for a massage, because the happier you are, the more other people will benefit from your improved mood and general relaxed demeanor.

So, you don’t have to make excuses for scheduling your next massage appointment. It’s not like you’re just out treating yourself to some random indulgence. You are treating yourself well. Remember, as they say in the commercial,

“Because you’re worth it.”