by Now that you’ve taken the time to relax, de-stress and have “me” time, you might be uncertain what to do next so you can prolong the massage benefits.
Before you start stressing about what to do after your session, here are four tips massage professionals recommend.
Hydrate And Eat Light
Avoid coffee, tea, sodas, or alcohol, when recovering from a deep massage.
Diuretics, like alcohol and caffeine, make you lose more fluid than you gain when you drink them, and you won’t stay hydrated. Instead, stick with water, until you’ve fully recovered, and let your body get rid of the toxins.
And, as your circulatory system speeds up, so does your digestive system. However, it’s not good to have a large meal right before or after a massage. Regardless of whether you eat before or after a massage, a snack is enough for you to get a fuel boost. However, it would help if you ate an hour before the massage or an hour afterward.
Bath
A warm bath can help soothe the body after a deep massage. Adding Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) – found in most supermarkets, for reasonable prices – to the bath can also ease any aches and pains. The magnesium is absorbed through the skin, while the warm water helps open the blood vessels, thus increasing circulation. And, if you don’t have a bath, then have a warm shower.
However, don’t let the water get too hot, you’ll risk inflammation (including swelling). If you experience inflammation, then ice the area with a cold pack (wrapped in cloth). Apply the ice to the swollen or inflamed area for ten minutes, then take it off for ten minutes.
The reason for it is that the cold constricts the blood vessels, which helps to reduce the blood flow to the area, but doing it too long will have the body open the blood vessels to encourage blood flow.
Welcome Feelings
It’s normal to feel all kinds of emotions during and after a massage. It’s okay to cry, despite feeling refreshed or energized. Massage stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system helping to reduce levels of stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol). It increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, especially the feel-good hormone oxytocin (or the “hugging” or “love” hormone). And, despite all this, it’s still okay to cry. You’ll feel so much better afterward.
Rest
After a massage, you’ll feel more relaxed, your muscles are looser, and you’re calm and content. But with that said, you shouldn’t do vigorous work or activities right after a massage. While some things are unavoidable, you may want to schedule the massage when you know you can go straight home afterward.
Another vital thing to remember is to listen to your body. If you’re tired after a massage and need to sleep, then go for it. If you need to stretch out on the couch, then do so. Take this time to relax, and let your body recover, repair, and retune itself. You can always do other things later, especially your training regimen. You can go back to exercising the next day.
Conclusion
Now, these are only a handful of tips to consider, as you enjoy your deep massage. However, these little things can go a long way. If you have any questions or concerns about the aftereffects of a massage, bring it up with your massage therapist. And feel free to book another session if you had an exceptionally healing experience.
Michael Dehoyos writes and edits at Write My Papersonal Statement. He also contributes to numerous publications. As a content marketer, he helps various companies improve their marketing strategies.
