You’ve just had a massage and you are feeling really good. The pressure was just right, it was so relaxing, and ‘how did she know how to find just the right spots?’
Your mind tries to recreate different moments during your session. ‘It felt really good when she worked this, one spot, and I don’t know how she did it. My arm went this way, or was it this way…? I’m so glad I chose a 90-minute massage session’
So, your massage is over, now what?
- You slowly turn to your left, this position stimulates the brain and readies it for movement.
- Take a deep cleansing breath. As you inhale, slow our breath down and imagine your brain being bathed in fresh oxygen and all the lovely endorphins being released.
- Try and visualize your surroundings before opening your eyes, this can help avoid sensory overload.
- When you are ready, carefully sit up from the table, continue with your slow, deep, mindful cleansing breaths.
Take a moment to be in your body….we spend so much time in fight or flight, we often disengage from our bodies.
- When you are ready, mindfully get dressed and venture out of the massage room knowing you’ve made a great choice by getting a massage.
Tell your therapist how you are feeling.
We like to know. We have a vested interest in your wellbeing.
We care.
Sometimes right after the massage, you may feel a little off and then feel better later on or wake up feeling really good. It depends on how your body responds to massage. You may also be sore the following day, however, this shouldn’t last more than a day or two and the tips in this article can help minimize soreness.
If there was anything you didn’t like about the massage you can tell us that too. We like feedback and we want you to get the most from your massage.
Following these tips will help you get the most from your massage and enhance the benefits.
Plan your after-massage, or plan to not have a specific plan, but it’s best not to jump back into something intense immediately. Delay your return to the rat race as long as you can, your body and mind will thank you.
- Drink plenty of water after your massage
- Continue taking deep mindful breaths throughout your day
- Enjoy a light snack of fruit or nuts
- Appreciate the state of relaxation that you are in and enjoy that you may be more creative than productive, embrace this, don’t force yourself to rush.
Our sense of smell can bring us back to the state of relaxation we remember experiencing during the massage. Many times clients like to purchase lotions or oils used during their session to prolong their effect.
- My clients love using the same Spearmint Eucalyptus Lotion used in their session and say they feel the scent helps quicken their relaxation, and help them relax between sessions.
- Gentle stretching is great after a massage…not forcing muscles, breathing into gentle resistance.
- Unplug from your electronic devices, your brain will thank you.
Take a slow nature walk, find a comfortable spot to sit and connect with nature, or enjoy a beautiful vista…allow your mind to wander, (careful not to sit for an extended period of time without getting up and moving)- Be mindful of your posture after a massage, you will have a different awareness of your body, this is a great opportunity to be aware of how you’ve been holding yourself and allow for positive changes.
- Have a long conversation with a good friend, someone who is not going to rain on your happy peaceful massage day parade. Getting lost in conversation is great… be aware of your posture and avoid sitting for an extended period of time without moving.
- Journal
- Listen to soothing music
- Feel gratitude for all life’s blessings
- Take a nap, even 10-30 minutes
- Meditate
- Enjoy hammock time
- Head to the beach find a partially shaded spot and enjoy watching the waves
- Take a bath with natural bath crystals and minerals (I like Lemongrass Spa’s available here in Lavender, Spearmint Eucalyptus, Candy Cane, Coconut Lime and Grapefruit Lilly ), light some candles, enjoy some chamomile tea or a glass of wine
- Head to bed early and make tomorrow a great day.
Above is how I would ideally recommend you spend your time after a massage, so you can get the most out of your massage and enjoy that euphoric state for a longer period of time. The more frequent your massages, the easier relaxation will become and the longer your relief from discomfort will last.
Clients often find they feel better after a massage and decide to immediately resume previous strenuous activities, or embark on new ones. If you came in for a massage because of an injury or discomfort; example.
Client A comes in for sciatic pain going down her leg, it’s gotten so uncomfortable it’s limiting daily activities. Client A responds really well in our session to stretching and trigger point therapy. After the massage she feels so great she decides to go on a three-hour quad ride. The next day she wakes up hurting. The quad ride is an example, really it’s ….Fill in the blank…
I hear it all the time. ‘You were right, I shouldn’t have done that’. I even hear it from my own husband…’Maybe I shouldn’t have played volleyball right after getting a massage’.
(If you are someone who is receiving regular sports massage and is continually playing sports after a massage, this is not directed to you. Or someone who receives regular massage to maintain feeling good, but doesn’t have any areas of discomfort, prior or during massage. How long you want to prolong your massage benefits is your choice).
I am not telling you not to have your adventures…
3-hour hikes, surfing, quad rides…just give yourself a day in between, so you can absorb the full experience of the massage and prolong the benefits. Every system in your body has just been influenced by massage and they all want to help you achieve greater health and wellbeing, taxing your body can distract from your goal.
Schedule your adventure activity, and follow up with scheduling another massage for afterwards. Scheduling your next massage session at the end of your session can be best to avoid delay, just make sure to write your appointment down so you don’t forget.
The benefits of massage compound with frequent massage, so the more often you get massaged the longer you will feel the benefits, the better you will feel in your body.
If you enjoyed your massage experience, find your therapists website or professional facebook page and share your experience. Your words could convince someone weary of massage to give it a try.
If everyone got a massage once a week…I believe the ripple effect would be world peace. So by sharing your words, by telling someone about massage, you could contribute to world peace. Pat yourself on the back and share your good experience.
If you received your massage while on vacation, it’s highly recommended you continue to incorporate massage when you return home. Finding a therapist you are comfortable with can be challenging, but it also can be a lot of fun to try out different styles of massage!
- Find a friend who loves massage so you can keep each other accountable for being good to you and keeping your massage appointments.
When you find a therapist you like try to commit to scheduling at least once a month to maintain how you feel, if you are already feeling good. If you are looking to address a specific physical injury or concern, you will want to schedule more frequently to see improvement.
Ideally, 1-3x’s a week for 90minute sessions is recommended. Your therapist may offer a frequent massage program for those who prepay for 8-10 sessions, or discounts for referring multiple new clients.
If you are really wanting to feel better in your body and receive massage regularly but cost is prohibiting it, talk to your massage therapist to see if they have any creative recommendations.
If life seems too hectic to engage in any of these relaxation techniques after a massage, perhaps you should consider a massage and wellness vacation. Knowing that you are committing to healthful choices on a rejuvenating vacation can make them easier to commit to!
Want to make it a super fun vacation? Get some friends and family together and rent a beautiful Samara or Carrillo vacation rental and have massage onsite.
Or starting in May we will have intimate lifestyle rejuvenation massage retreats available featuring beachfront accommodations, healthful Costa Rican breakfasts, regular yoga, massage and additional fun relaxing activities. (keep following The Relaxation Spot or email [email protected] for more details)
Pairing massage with another good-for-you body activity like yoga, dancing or swimming can have phenomenal results and help you lead a happier healthier lifestyle.
Be good to you, you deserve it and remember the better you are to your body, the better your body will be to you! An investment in your health is the best choice for a brighter future.
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