Caribbean Dreams Magazine Volume 2 | Page 10

extra! extra! Indulge Yourself 6 Great excuses to get a massage! E ver notice those movies where ver notice those movies where top executives have a masseuse at E top executives have a masseuse work? Rubbing them down while at work? Rubbing them down they manage the office? Well there’s while they that: massage has a reason formanage the office? Well there’s a health benefits, that can incredible reason for that: massage has incredible health your stress levels, positively impact benefits, that can positively impact your immunity your mood, boostyour stress levels, , your mood, boost your and relieve improve brain function immunity , improve and function and pain. long termbrain even chronicrelieve long term and even chronic pain. Reduce stress hormone levels Get a massage to reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body; this can help lead to a reduced heart rate and consequently, a lower blood pressure. Give your immunity a boost Studies have indicated that the use of massage therapy to reduce stress and stress hormones, boosts the level of good cells which act as your body’s first defense against invaders. Massage 10 | Caribbean Dreams therapy has been shown to even boost immunity in people with severely decreased immune systems, such as patients with breast cancer. Regulate your moods Doing things to pamper oneself releases the body’s “feel good hormones”, like dopamine and serotonin. Giving you that wonderful buzz and euphoric feeling when the spa treatment is all over. Relieve pain Massaging the body is said to increase blood flow to the muscles and improve circulation; when these processes work in conjunction with the body’s mood regulators and decreased cortisol , they block the nervous sy