In winter, our immune system is working harder to fight off the cold and flu germs that are travelling around. There is a higher chance of getting sick in winter and for this reason, we want our immune system to be in peak condition. Massage therapy can help boost your immune system by stimulating your lymph nodes, which are home to the white blood cells used to fight infections. Massages help to encourage these cells to come out and fight any bacteria that may be making you sick. 

 

In colder weather, our blood vessels constrict and this affects our blood circulation and can increase our blood pressure. As well as boosting your immune system, massage stimulates blood flow through the body and this improves circulation. This is good in the colder months as it ensures that oxygen is flowing properly around the body and that our extremities, our hands and feet, stay warm in the cold. This can also help with any aches and pains you might be experiencing and these may flare up or be exacerbated by the colder weather. 

 

It Fights The Winter Blues 

The winter weather can have a big impact on our mental health and it is important during the colder weather to take care of your mental wellbeing, as well as your physical wellbeing. The darkness and the restrictions on the activities we can do can increase our feelings of stress and anxiety. Massages have a positive effect on the endocrine system and can help stimulating hormones that make us feel better. A massage can help to decrease cortisol levels, a hormone related to stress, and increase our levels of serotonin and dopamine which enhance our mood. As well as having a physical effect on our hormones, getting a massage gives us an hour of self-care time to relax. You can be alone with your thoughts without the stress of work and family life. Using Blys, you can even arrange to have a massage in the comfort of your home so you don’t have to leave the house. This is a great way to de-stress during the winter months. 

 

The colder and wetter the weather, the harder it can be to manage the symptoms associated with arthritis. In winter, those living with arthritis may experience increased pain and stiffness. Massages can help to relieve this pain by reducing stiffness and improving the range of motion in the joints. It can also help promote better sleep and this is essential for those who are experiencing arthritis as sleep provides some respite from arthritic pain. Massage therapy all year round can improve the function of joints affected by arthritis but it can be particularly effective during winter. 

 

 

Dry skin is more likely to be experienced during in winter, as the humidity of summer drops and massage therapy can help rehydrate the skin. During a massage, moisturising lotions and essential oils are rubbed into your skin and the pressure of a massage ensures these oils and creams are absorbed into your skin. Massages can also improve skin elasticity and prevent dry skin from reoccurring. Post-massage, your dry skin will feel nourished again.