Scientists and individuals alike have noticed a positive correlation between massage and sleep. If you're suffering from insomnia, a soothing massage can be a great tool to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Some of the ways massage helps you sleep include reducing cortisol levels, increasing dopamine and serotonin levels, and alleviating discomfort. Getting a massage for insomnia can even help treat restless leg syndrome and other sleep disorders. In this article, we'll cover these topics and give you some tips on how to get the best sleeping massage.
How Massage Helps Relieve Stress
The stress hormone called cortisol interrupts the body's natural sleep cycles, causing those affected to have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. It can even lend a hand in sleep disorders like night terrors and sleep paralysis. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the "feel-good" hormones dopamine and serotonin can promote sleep. This is why it's essential to use massage for sleep to keep these hormones balanced and get a good night's sleep.
Studies show that a massage can decrease cortisol levels by around 30% while increasing dopamine and serotonin levels by about 30%. This may be linked to:
- The body's natural reaction to physical touch.
- The relief of having sore muscles soothed.
- The stimulation of certain pressure points for relaxation.
Massage and Sleep Disorders
Insomnia can often have an underlying cause, whether it's pain, stress, menopause, cancer, congestive heart failure or other conditions. This is known as secondary insomnia, whereas primary insomnia has no identifiable cause. In the case of secondary insomnia, marrying massage and sleep has been shown to promote a better night's rest. It is also shown to reduce the effects of sleep disorders, such as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea.
While there aren't a wealth of studies to show how massage helps treat insomnia that has no underlying cause, it can still manage some of the symptoms caused by insomnia, such as stress and muscle tension.
Snailax Helps You Get a Great Sleeping Massage for Insomnia
While many of us would love to have an on-call masseuse to ease our aches and pains at the end of the day, few of us have that kind of resource. Housemates and spouses might grow tired of providing a massage, and sleep might be a struggle for them, too. The key to getting the best massage for insomnia requires quality and consistency — that means a high-quality massage every night, or every night that you need it.
Luckily, there are full body and back massage chairs that can help you get the sleep you need. Snailax has a luxurious full body massage mat and Shiatsu back massager that are portable and easy to use. They provide a high-quality, consistent massage for sleep. If you or someone you know is suffering from insomnia, check out the great options at Snailax to finally get that good night's sleep.
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