Life can be busy and stressful. There is always a lot to do and it seems the days just keep getting shorter and shorter. For a lot of us it can be difficult to find healthy ways to handle and cope with all that life stress and still get everything done that needs to be accomplished. Leaving your stress to fester and compound can lead to physical and mental damage and can actually end up making you less productive. Sometimes the damage from that stress can be difficult to manage and repair once it is already done. That’s why it’s important to find a safe, healthy way to release all that tension.
Massage therapy is a great way for you to focus on your mental and physical repairs all at the same time. However, figuring out what kind of massage to get might be a bit of a challenge, particularly if you are new to the massage experience. Getting a full body massage is a great first step on your way to relieving stress and tension. Choosing a full body massage can be a good choice, but it can also intimidate and confuse if you aren’t sure what you’re in for. Ease your mind about your first-time massage experience by exploring what to expect from a full body massage, as well as taking a quick look at some of the benefits it can provide.
What to Expect from a Full Body Massage
Even going to the spa can feel like adding stress and anxiety to your life if you are new to the experience. You probably have a lot of questions about what you can expect from your appointment if you are new to massages and spas. How long will it take? Do they really massage your whole entire body? Do you have to be undressed for the appointment? Let’s explore these questions so that your mind is at ease and ready for total relaxation when you book your massage appointment.
How Long Does an Appointment for a Full Body Massage Last?
The exact answer to this question will be determined by the spa you choose and the massage therapist who is performing the massage. Every establishment has something different to offer. However, generally speaking, you can expect a full body appointment to last about an hour. There are some establishments that advertise shorter appointment options that take closer to 45 minutes, but things can be overlooked if your massage therapist tries to rush through an appointment. It is wise to plan on taking extra time for yourself and plan for the full hour. Your well-being is well worth it.
What Areas of the Body are Going to Be the Focus of the Massage?
There can be a couple of minor but important exceptions to the “full body” focus of the appointment. Usually your arms, hands, feet, legs, neck, back, stomach, and buttock muscles are all areas that receive attention throughout the appointment to varying degrees. You can always ask when booking the appointment if certain areas can be avoided or focused on, depending on how you feel and what you want.
Is Nudity Required for a Full Body Massage?
The idea of being in a room with a stranger is enough to make anyone a little bit uneasy. Add the fact that you aren’t wearing clothes and the situation just became even more stressful. If you are a massage novice, this can be the part that feels the most unusual and can actually be a source of real anxiety for some people.
You might be wondering why people undress for these appointments in the first place. Well, there are a couple of different reasons that removing clothing can be helpful. The first is for direct contact access to the many muscle groups that will need attention. It is also for your comfort during the appointment. Wadded clothing can make it impossible to provide a helpful massage. However, if you have serious reservations about modesty, or would like your massage therapist to stay away from a certain area of your body, you can always make those requests when you book your appointment. Any certified massage professional should be willing to work to make you feel comfortable and help you relax during your appointment. Comfort, after all, is the whole point of your full body massage experience. If the appointment itself makes you uncomfortable then talk over your options before making the appointment. This will help you find a spa and a massage therapist that are right for you. It may be helpful for you to look up customer and business reviews about the spas and services you are considering.
Benefits of Full Body Massage
Now that you have a better idea of what the appointment itself, we can take a look at what you might look forward to after the appointment is over. The positivity doesn’t end with the appointment. Massage therapy has a lot to offer that goes beyond the actual massage itself. We are going to look at some of the many ways that a full body massage can help you take care of yourself physically while also boosting your mood and helping to improve your mental health and well-being.
Physical Health and Wellness Benefits
There are a few positive effects on your body that stem from receiving a full body massage. Relaxed, unknotted muscles is one of the most immediate affects you feel. Loose, relaxed muscles can lead to greater mobility and a significant increase in range of motion. Taking care of your muscles can also help you improve your posture and overall joint comfort throughout the activities of the day. There is also the issue of circulation to consider. The friction and pressure applied on various parts of your body throughout the appointment can help stimulate your circulatory system. This helps the far extremities of your body get the oxygen and nutrients they need. The firm, manual stimulation also helps your muscles and tissues release toxins and stress chemicals that build up from stress and neglect. This toxic build-up can cause damage to your muscles, joints, and soft tissues.
Different Types of Full Body Massage
Choosing a full body massage also has the added benefit of helping you figure out where you carry most of your tension. Once you have fully explored your aches, pains, and discomforts with a fully trained massage professional you can then decide how to best take care of your body based on specific information from the full body massage session. You will also be able to book massages that focus on specific parts of the body, if you locate a problem area. This information can help you make educated lifestyle changes, pay more attention to your physical well-being, and potentially make a more focused plan for your next appointment.
Mental Health and Wellness Benefits
There is more to massage therapy than merely the physical aspects. There is a mental health and wellness aspect to massage that often times is minimized or overlooked entirely. Taking time to focus on yourself might have you feeling selfish, or irresponsible for taking time out of your day. It is important that you make time to take care of yourself, especially if your life is demanding and stressful. Taking some time to unwind and reset can make your life much easier in the long run. Massages allow you to get your mind and body back to a point where you actually feel like you can give one hundred percent to the people around you and the tasks ahead. A couple of hours a week is not a lot to ask of yourself, particularly in comparison to the time and energy you routinely give other people.Mental Health and Wellness Benefits There is more to massage therapy than merely the physical aspects. There is a mental health and wellness aspect to massage that often times is minimized or overlooked entirely. Taking time to focus on yourself might have you feeling selfish, or irresponsible for taking time out of your day. It is important that you make time to take care of yourself, especially if your life is demanding and stressful. Taking some time to unwind and reset can make your life much easier in the long run. Massages allow you to get your mind and body back to a point where you actually feel like you can give one hundred percent to the people around you and the tasks ahead. A couple of hours a week is not a lot to ask of yourself, particularly in comparison to the time and energy you routinely give other people.