To relieve stress, many people rely on various forms of physical and emotional therapy. One of the most common stress-relieving techniques is massage therapy, which uses physical manipulation of the body to relieve tension and reduce anxiety. To increase the benefits of massage therapy, consider adding aromatherapy and music therapy to the massage. This combination of therapies is extremely effective at reducing stress and anxiety.
Massage
Massage has been widely proclaimed as an effective method of stress relief. At the hands of a professional massage therapist, your body will be relieved of all its tension, stress and anxiety. MassageTherapy.com claims that a professional massage can decrease anxiety, improve concentration and circulation, boost energy levels, reduce fatigue and enhance the quality of sleep. Additionally, since many illnesses and diseases are related to stress, massage therapy can even keep you healthy.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves the use of aromatic oils from various plants. After mixing these essential oils with other oils or lotions, they can be applied to the body or sprayed into the air. The aromatherapy oils have two main purposes. First, their fragrances stimulate nerves in the nose, which then send impulses to the brain. Depending on the specific fragrance, the brain will then calm or stimulate the body. The second purpose of aromatherapy is more physical. The oils interact with various hormones and enzymes in the body, which cause positive changes in blood pressure and pulse rate.
To treat stress with aromatherapy, select one or a combination of the following aromas: basil, bergamot, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, garlic, ginger, geranium, lavender, lemon, nutmeg, peppermint, pine, rose and thyme.
Music
Music therapy is another stress-relieving technique. It involves listening to soft, calming music. According to HolisticOnline.com, it is the music's rhythm that has a calming effect on our body. As we listen to music, breathing becomes slower and deeper. The body also begins to produce more serotonin, which has calming effects on the body. As we continue to listen to music, our heart rate slows, and our body temperature increases; both of these symptoms indicate the onset of relaxation.
Expert Insight
When aromatherapy, massage therapy and music therapy are combined, the result can be an utterly relaxing and stress-relieving experience. MassageMag.com introduced a study that tested the effects of aromatherapy massage with music on the stress levels of emergency room nurses. In the study, emergency room nurses received a 15-minute aromatherapy massage with music during two 12-week periods (one in the summer and one in the winter). The massage focused on the shoulders, neck, middle of the back, scalp, temples and forehead.
Aromatherapy oils were sprayed into the air above the participant's head before the massage and the participant listened to New Age music through headphones during the massage. Before the study, 54 percent of nurses in the summer and 65 percent of nurses in the winter reported moderate to extreme stress and anxiety. After the two massage periods, only 8 percent of participants reported moderate stress, with no participants reporting extreme stress.
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