Can Massage Help with Winter Blues?

Defying Winter Blues: The Uplifting Power of Massage Therapy

1 in 5 Americans feeling the impact of seasonal changes.

As the days grow shorter, sunlight diminishes, and temperatures drop, many individuals experience a dip in mood and energy levels. However, a beacon of hope emerges in the form of massage therapy, offering a remedy to fend off the winter blues and rejuvenate the spirit.

Studies reveal that integrating massage therapy into your health maintenance routine can be a game-changer.

The winter blues, a milder form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), affects a significant portion of the population, especially as the transition to Daylight Savings Time takes its toll. Symptoms may include decreased energy, morning lethargy, and heightened cravings for sweets and starches.

Jeff Smoot, the 2015 President of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), highlights the potential of massage therapy in navigating the challenges brought on by the colder, darker months. "Massage benefits the way our bodies react to negative influences, whether that’s weather, anxieties, or disorders," notes Smoot.

A growing body of research underscores the profound impact of massage therapy on alleviating anxiety and depression across diverse health conditions. Immediate benefits include a reduction in anxiety, depressed mood, and anger, while long-term effects contribute to lowered depression levels and increased serotonin values.

Serotonin, a multifunctional neurotransmitter, plays a pivotal role in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, memory, and learning.

Massage therapy not only influences serotonin but also proves beneficial in improving sleep patterns by aiding circadian rhythms—the body's internal clock. A study exploring the effects of massage therapy on full-term infants revealed enhanced coordination of the circadian system, promoting better adjustment of rest to activity and melatonin secretion rhythms.

This winter, consider incorporating massage therapy into your routine as a holistic and uplifting approach to counter the seasonal blues.

Let the soothing touch of massage brighten your mood, reset your circadian rhythms, and infuse you with newfound energy. Embrace the transformative power of massage to navigate the winter months with resilience and well-being.

Can Cupping help with Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD? Learn more

Can massage uplift your mood? Learn more