EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. Masssage is a nurturing process. The pattern of touch and the contact help to fulfill the need for human contact and nurturing that we have from birth. For some people this is the only caring contact that they may ever feel (think about the care of elderly shut-ins or bedridden people. They get physical care, cleaning and such, but nurturing touch is totally lacking). This is why I refer to massage as being similar to an hour long hug.
CALMS MENTAL ACTIVITY. As we go from sympathetic activity to parasympathetic activity, the mind calms and slows down. Kind of similar to taking your foot off of the gas in a car. The longer the foot is off of the gas, the slower you go.
IMPROVES SELF IMAGE. We all have some form of negative image of ourselves. It may be physical or emotional. Getting a full body massage helps us to realize that, those little flaws and faults that we have, only bother us. It tells us that we have worth. We learn that it's alright to have love handles, rounded bellies, big tushes, scars, moles, hair, dimples, big noses, breasts that aren't "perfect", stubby or flipper feet, weird elbows, ugly nails, or whatever it is that we have a bad image of ourselves. That it's ok to recieve something that feels good. That we can just recieve without having to do anything in return.
PROVIDES A SENSE OF CONTROL. We may not feel in control of our lives, our jobs, our families, our relations, or finances or some other aspect(s) of our lives. With massage, you have control. you determine how firm or soft the work is done. What parts will and will not be worked on. You can talk or not talk as you need. You can sleep without guilt. It's your time. And you control the work.
PROVIDES A SAFE AND SECURE PLACE. Massage often becomes a retreat, or safe haven, from the real world. There are no demands during that time (other than roll over). Its a quiet place where a trained professional is dedicating an hour to nothing else than taking care of your individual needs. |
