Our mental health
Our mental health is as bad as it has ever been. The Blackdog Institute states that one in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. The most common mental illnesses are depressive, anxiety and substance use disorders.
What many people don’t understand about mental health is that it is largely a chemical imbalance. The brain is flooded with hormones and neuro-transmitters. If the balance of these ‘neurochemicals’ are “out of whack” then our mental health suffers.
Cortisol, commonly referred to as the stress hormone, is often delivered in excessive amounts, as a result of our busy lives, resulting in an inability to switch off from stress.
In addition to this, dopamine, which is often seen as a good chemical and helps us to be alert and enthusiastic, can also have a negative effect on us, if we can’t turn it down when the body requires rest.
Unfortunately, our obsession with technology, particularly games, raises dopamine levels (this is why they often become obsessive) and we remain in a state over over-stimulation.
Massage can help with our mental health
Fortunately, massage can be of great help to our mental health. In particular, regular massage can assist in balancing these neurochemicals. Repeated studies have demonstrated a reduction in cortisol levels.
In addition to this, massage also triggers the release of serotonin, a neurochemical which acts as a calming agent, acting as an energy re-fueller, rather than an energy user.
The great thing about serotonin is that it also triggers the production of melatonin, which is essential for sleep. An increase in melatonin helps us to enjoy blissful, sound sleep, something so many of us are deprived of these days.
Help your mental health with a massage
So… do yourself a favour and book a massage. While many people recognise that it’s a great way to relax and sooth aching muscles, more importantly, it balances the brain.
Our brain influences how every other system in our body works, as well as how we feel, act and respond in every moment of every day. It makes sense to look after it so be sure to reward it with some massage today.
