A full body massage is one of the surest ways of revamping your health and wellness. The relaxing hand movements on the muscles, joints and other body parts will help you relax after a long day at work and relieve stress.
However, not everyone can afford to visit the massage facility. That shouldn’t deter you from enjoying a hearty massage during your free time. You can purchase a full body massage chair online to enjoy a relaxing massage at home. Be sure to buy the chair from an accredited store with a positive reputation online to get value for money.
Most people miss out on the many benefits that a massage offers due to their actions or the activities they indulge in after the session. Here is accurate information on what to do after a massage.
Slowly Get Up from the Massage Bed
First, it’s normal to feel relaxed and slack after the massage. It’s your body’s way of telling you to thank you for relaxing the tense muscles and joints. There is no need to rush to get up; if you are lying with your face facing down, slowly push your upper body into a seating position.
Remain in the seated position for several minutes and focus on how the various parts of your body feel. If possible, get a glass of water and sip it as you try to stand up. Stand still for a minute or two before walking out of the room to give your body enough time to regain balance.
What Foods to Eat After a Massage
Health experts recommend not overeating food immediately after a massage. You will likely feel hungry after the session and might be tempted to head straight into the restaurant and order your favorite meal.
To enjoy the health benefits of a full body massage, carry a light snack when going to the masseur. A banana or fruit is also ideal, especially if you participate in intense physical training exercises. Steer clear of foods with processed sugars to prevent excess weight gain.
On the same point, a heavy meal can make you feel sluggish and bloated. You want foods that will revamp your energy. Go for a vegetarian meal or white meat such as fish and chicken. Avoid fried or greasy foods for the first couple of hours after the massage.
A piece of dark chocolate is also a perfect snack after a massage. It contains copious amounts of antioxidants and flavanols that will revitalize your moods and reduce any inflammations in your body.
Hydrate After a Massage
You have probably come across many articles that advise you to drink at least two liters of water every day. The water helps promote the functionalism of the various organs such as the kidney and liver. Dehydration can result in dizziness, fatigue, dry lips, mouth, and eyes.
It’s advisable to increase your water intake on the day you intend to go for the massage. The extra amount of water in your body will ensure that your muscles are well hydrated, thereby making it easier for them to manipulate. That is, you will feel little or no pain as the masseur works on the muscles.
After the massage, drink more water to enhance your body’s ability to flush out toxins released during the massage. Note that the buildup of the waste in the body can result in soreness, especially after a deep tissue massage.
Also, you will feel dehydrated after the massage because the muscles lose electrolytes and water as they are toned. Make the water flavorful by adding a slice of either lemon or lime. Some people prefer adding cucumber, mint, berries, and basil – the choice is all yours.
One common question people ask is, how much water should one drink after getting a massage? Well, the amount depends on your typical daily consumption. Strive to increase the amount by at least 10%.
Moderate Alcohol Intake
Alcohol contains many calories and other ingredients that could make your journey of losing weight longer. However, that doesn’t mean that you should avoid alcohol altogether. One drink is fine, but try to avoid it for at least 24 hours after the massage.
This recommendation is based on the fact the toxins released from the muscles during the massage are released into the bloodstream. If you take alcohol immediately after the massage, the toxins will increase the adverse effects of alcohol. It’s also important to note that alcohol dehydrates the body even more.
Take a Hot Shower
Yes, you want the Zen feeling to last for days, and one of the sure ways of achieving that goal is by taking a hot shower after the massage. The hot water and soap will wash off the message’s remnants of oils and lotions.
The shower massage head creates a spa-like experience that will revitalize your body and relieve stress. The water should be lukewarm; if it’s too hot, you may aggravate the soreness.
If you don’t shower, take a 20 minutes bath and use a bath pillow to support your neck and head. Make it even more relaxing by adding Epsom salt to the water. This salt is best known for its natural muscle relaxing capabilities.
Some people opt to prepare their luxurious bath salts using essential oils. Regardless of your choice, rest assured that the salts will draw out all the toxins and revamp your overall health and wellbeing.
In addition, by flushing out toxins, your body will feel less bloated and retain only the required amount of water. Make Google your friend to discover amazing homemade natural bath bombs.
Avoid Caffeine
A cup of freshly prepared coffee may look like a good idea after a massage as you try to relax your body. However, experts recommend not taking coffee or any other caffeinated drink for at least three hours after the massage.
You are better off taking a warm drink such as herbal tea prepared using chamomile to calm your mind and body. It would be best if you considered adding herbal tea to your routine to revamp your health.
Put On Comfortable Clothes
Wearing tight clothes after the session is not recommendable as they will exert unnecessary pressure on the muscles. Ditch the tight pants for comfortable clothes to feel relaxed after the message. If you intend to go to the facility after work, be sure to pack some comfy clothes when leaving your house in the morning.
The massage oils create a cooling effect as they evaporate from the skin, so wear clothes that are comfortable and warm. Steer clear of clothes made from man-made fabrics or elastics as they hinder the evaporation.
Take Time to Relax
The essence of a massage is to help you relax after a long day at work. If possible, don’t participate in a physical activity that requires a lot of energy. It’s also normal to feel tired after the massage, and you may get tempted to take a nap.
Don’t try to resist the urge to sleep; it will help your muscles relax and promote your mental health by relieving stress.
Finding the right full body massage chair can be a daunting task due to the many options. Take time to compare and contrast the features and benefits to find one that suits your preferences. We found this informative article to help you make an informed decision; check it out.
Steer Clear of News
News can result in stress, so it’s recommendable to avoid reading newspapers or watching TV news bulletins. To increase their viewership, most of the media houses pay more focus on negative issues. It is what sells as it captures the attention of the audience. Rarely do positive news go viral.
The point is; to desist from checking the news after the massage. Since most of the press is active on social media, consider not checking Twitter, Facebook, or any other networking site immediately after the message.
Meditate
Meditation is one of the proven ways of relieving stress and regaining your focus. As the masseur work on your muscles, allow your mind to wander and avoid focusing on anything negative that may have happened to you before the session. Concentrate on the hand movements and let the good sensations take you away.
Prepare Yourself Emotionally
As your body relaxes, past emotional trauma may surface, and you may find yourself weeping or feeling joyful. Regardless of the kind of emotional reaction you get, let it out. The emotional release will help you feel better by triggering dopamine production.
Read Novel or Watch a Movie
Watching a movie or reading one of your favorite novels will help you further relax and appreciate life more. If you can, watch a film that is not horror or have scenes that could provoke you. Remember, the goal is to relax.
Final Thoughts
A professional massage is exactly what you need to relax and regain focus. After the massage, plan for the next one by budgeting and contacting the facility before the big day. Most of the massage facilities are super busy over the weekends, so book a session on weekdays if you can.
