Are you watching the Summer Olympics? Are you feeling inspired to get outside and do more activities? With the warmer weather people naturally become more active. We are drawn to the outdoors, to getting outside and playing, which is great! I’m sure your doctor has both asked you about your fitness, and told you that you should be doing some form of physical exercise at least 3 times a week. Exercise is great for your mind and body, but what about the other side of staying fit? As we increase our physical activities, we find that we put more stress and tension on ourselves both physically and mentally. We discover more tension and sore muscles, and maybe even fatigue from a weekend warrior event and the heat. We all know that staying fit by being active has numerous health benefits, but how do you maintain this level of staying fit when you’re tired and sore? To balance out your overall health and well-being, you need restorative relaxation too.
Massage Therapy is one of the greatest ways to help you stay fit. Being a LMT, you are probably thinking, of course she suggests getting massages, but in all seriousness, it has been proven time and time again that the healing and restorative effects of massages is one of the best forms to keep you moving and healthy. Receiving regular massages 1 or
2 times a month increases body awareness. (Read my blog back on May 4th about body awareness). It also helps alleviate those sore and achy muscles, increases your flexibility and range of motion, and even helps with the tired and rundown feeling you may be experiencing. Massages work to increase your blood flow to your muscles and joints as it releases opioids into your system, which is your body’s own natural pain killer. When your pain is decreased, your movements become less restricted, and your energy levels increase, you are more likely to keep up with your fitness routines with decreased recovery time. Another added bonus to receiving regular massages, it will help reduce stress and boost your immune system, leading to less illnesses and injuries.
The benefits of staying fit and taking care of your overall well-being does not discriminate by age or physical fitness levels. Young or old, whether you are a competitive athlete, a weekend warrior, an avid walker, or someone who enjoys hitting the golf courses a couple days a week, combining massage with your activities is just a perfect combination to staying healthy and fit this summer.
So remember, with all the hustle and bustle of the summer time fun, all these inspiring walks and races, as well as life's everyday stresses of daily routines, you need to allow your body the time to relax and recover. Your mind, body, and soul needs down time to recover and to keep you healthy, strong, and vibrant. It is a part of staying fit. So whether you need to simply relax or if you need some therapeutic work done to help reduce your sore and achy muscles, there is an excellent massage therapist out there that is ready to guide you back to that happy balance to enjoy your life to its fullest.
Stay fit, take care of yourself, and have fun this summer! Oh, and book those massages!