Right now we find ourselves in that Rocky Mountain transition between fall and winter. Some days a down jacket seems appropriate; other days we can get away with leaving the house with no coat at all. Seasonal transitions can be exciting times as we look forward to a change in pace or a change in activities. Some of you, however, may be feeling resistance to this change. Regardless of how you view the coming of winter, massage can be a great self-care practice for helping you more smoothly make it though this shift in the seasons.
Massage can help with this transition in a number of ways:
Many people's mood is impacted by shorter days and less exposure to sunlight. Massage therapy has been shown to improve mood and elevate energy levels.
Winter is often associated with the flu season. A growing body of research indicates that massage therapy supports immune system function. Research from Cedars-Sinai has shown that participants in a Swedish massage group experienced increase changes in lymphocytes, one of the three sub-types of white blood cells in the immune system.
Our winter physical activities are often different from those of the summer. Massage promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, and helps prevent injury as you shift from one physical activity to another.
For those of you who find yourselves sitting more during the winter months, massage can address those areas in your body that are getting more stress from repetitive positioning.
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