Why Winter is an Optimal Time for Massage Therapy
You're cold and tired, your skin is probably flakey and dry, and the winter blues may leave you feeling lonely. These conditions can make it hard to muster up the energy to do anything, let alone think about doing something that is so often considered so frivolous by our culture at large, but for many reasons massage is essential self-care in the cold seasons (and all year 'round).
When the chill rolls in, it's not uncommon for our bodies to get sore for several reasons. For starters, dark and cold conditions are the optimal time for hibernation--naps and curling up with something warm for example. Increased sedentary activities over prolonged periods mean we are likely to experience muscle weakness which can lead to body aches. Further, frigid temperatures often create the impulse to contract, creating tension in the body and can also lead to increased postural deviation (think about bracing yourself to walk through that cold Chicago wind, how tight you feel, how you lean forward while you walk, how you curl into yourself for additional warmth both outside and inside). Bodily tension or “tightness” is often used to describe a muscle that is short, however, muscles can also be tense and constricted from additional neurological stimulation.
These are primary, functional reasons that massage partnered in addition to movement - particularly strength training, can be fundamental in cold weather as both generate warmth, stimulate your circulatory system and can bring relief to aching muscles. However, the benefit of massage in these times goes beyond this. In winter the humidity is low, generally wreaking havoc on our skin. It’s true that making sure we are adequately hydrated is important at all times, but how pleasant does it sound to have our bodies massaged with oils that soothe and provide additional moisture to our bodies?
As if these weren’t enough reasons, touch is essential when the weather turns chill–why else would we instinctively fall into the routine of “cuffing season” in Autumn? While massage sessions can’t provide touch in all the ways that an intimate partner can, it can address our needs for socialization and touch that we may otherwise feel starved from in Winter, which are integral to our wellness as social beings. Regardless of whether or not massage is on the books for you this season, I do hope you are finding ways to nourish yourself through your 2022. But, If you do find yourself inspired by this post, feel welcome to visit my contact page to request an appointment.
