Moms need massages on the regular. Science promises that we’ll be a lot less prone to screaming into a pillow because the toddler flushed a stuffed animal than we would otherwise.
As moms, we’ve got to learn to be good to ourselves. Why is it so hard to treat ourselves at least as kindly as we treat others? Moms need to understand that being kind and loving to our own bodies and minds positively affects our family lives at least as much as it affects us. Depression and crying kiddos make for a woman who is at her wit’s end.
Shout it From the Rooftops: Moms Need Massages!
Humans used to spend their days running from hungry hyenas and lions who saw them as lunch. Can you imagine? “Honey, I’m going to look for berries for the kid’s lunch. If I’m not back in an hour, a hyena ate me. Love you!”
To give us a fighting chance, literally, we had the ability to get the heck outta Dodge with only a moment’s notice. Flight or fight would take over and in an instance, our ancestors could make a decision as to whether they would stand their ground and battle it out. I personally believe my ancient relatives preferred the flight response because that’s how I handle spiders.
It worked then. It works now when we need it to. Unfortunately, it also works when we don’t need it to. Moms (and everyone else) can find themselves in an almost perpetual state of fight or flight and it makes us a hot mess. That’s where the magic of massage comes in.
Okay, so Moms need massages. But, what does a massage actually do?
The first word you think of when you imagine getting a massage is probably relaxing. The weird, wonderful soft music that we only hear when we’re getting a massage. The smell of rich oils and scented candles. The masseuse who hopefully doesn’t talk to you the entire time. Relaxing.
But, there’s so much more to it. Massage actually increases serotonin and dopamine, those delightful feel-good hormones that we wish we could experience all day, every day. That’s why you feel so relaxed and chill after a nice, long massage.
Let’s not forget all the endorphins a massage helps release because that’s the really good stuff. From pain relief to a happy mood, endorphins are the rockstars among hormones. That feeling after you laugh so hard you almost shoot coffee out of your nose? Thanks, endorphins.
It’s unhealthy to experience the flight or fight response every minute of every day, or you’ll be sick and grumpy and your kids will be forced to experience that same negative reaction. You control the weather in your home, which is why they say ‘if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.‘ If you’re storming because your stress level is so high, everyone else in the house is dodging the lightning and hiding from the thunder booms.
Don’t be the hyena in your family.
If you don’t want your kids to internalize your stress and frustration, you have to get rid of it in your own body. One of the best ways to do that is to get an hour-long massage.
It’s not selfish! It’s not frivolous! Think of it as mom maintenance.
You can’t run from the hyena that is dentist bill or fight the lion hiding in the grocery store checkout lane who is writing a check. You can’t. And besides, we asked and the world said they would much rather you get a massage.
Do the right thing.
Call and schedule a massage right now. If you can’t afford one, or if you’re a thrifty soul, call a massage therapy school in your area and ask about getting a massage from someone in training. You can look for a massage school near you using this site.
Tell me about YOU. Do you regularly get massages, or do you feel like it’s a splurge? Why do you get massages, or why not?
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17 comments on “Science Says Moms Need Massages”
please give My Mom a Foot Massage
Yes, yes yes!! I get a sports massage regularly for back pain which really helps. And I’ve recently started going to my local beauty college for massages and facials. It’s amazing. As they are students practicing, it only costs £10! I’m a better person when I’m looking after myself.
My massages always have a happy ending. Awwwe Yeah.
I don’t because I HATE MASSAGES haha. I’m in the minority. They’re awkward, they tickle rather than feel goid, I never know to talk to the person or not. They just are not a fun experience for me. Give me an hour or alone time to read and I’ll be happy. I’ll skip the massage.
I’m a brand new father. I gave my girlfriend massages every night during the pregnancy. Note that baby is here, I try to rub her feet and back and neck as much as I can. I usually have to ask her if I can do it though
I get a deep tissue massage every 2 weeks! I’m worth it. Now it really would’ve been better if I’d known about massage 30-40 yrs ago when my kids were little.! Now it helps me move and stay sane!!
Because I can’t afford a professional massage, my children do it. Since I’ve started working abouT 2 years ago, my children give me a massage almost every night to help me relax and go to sleep bc I get up early. When my children were too small to do a good job, my husband would if I asked him too. Massage is one of my husbands love languages, so I would massage him often when he had a very hard and stressful job. Now, the kids give him massages as he needs them. We have 8 children, 7 still at home, so there’s plenty of hands to help.
I try to get a massage at least once every couple of months. It loosens up tight muscles and relaxes me so much.
My partner can’t give a massage to save his life and it never occurs to him to even try. While I was pregnant, I was so crazy sore, working fulltime up until the minute I went into labour and travelling two hours by train each way. I was DESPERATE for massages. I begged him for a massage and it just never happened. I avoid professional massages because I just can’t justify money on something that isn’t tangable. I ended up paying for a massage twice a week during my third trimester because my partner would just not step up!
If more men offered massages without agendas, women would be a damn lot happier I think! Can we make basic massage courses for men a relationship requirement?
I totally agree. Regular massage is super calming and beneficial. But let’s not leave out facts just to support our claim. It should read, “Moms that can afford regular massage are kinder, happier, and more pleasant to be around because they have the money to be financially free, which causes less stress.”
I exercise 1-2 times a week that produces endorphins and definitely helps stress as well.
I get massages every weekend because of work.
But good to know it’s also helping me be more calmer.
I am in pain 24 hours a day, and right now in a life changing situation with relocating to the Clearwater area and starting a new job after a 22 year stretch at my old one…. but I take care and worry about everyone else but me… I need a massage therapist but really can’t afford one at this time. I’m a 52 year old bartender with a lot of pain management issues. What do you offer?
Yes, I get a massage once a month. It is my treat to myself and my only wish is that I could do it more often. I feel so much better afterwards. The tension and knots in my shoulders and back from stress and sitting at a desk are relieved even if only for a little while. Treat yourself or ask for one for a gift. You won’t regret it!
As an LMT I strongly agree! I tell all my Mom’s that getting regular massages makes me a better Mother because I am my best self when I go back to my kiddos. And while I understand just how busy life can be there is nothing sadder than hearing someone say they feel guilty taking the time or spending the money. ITS WORTH IT, YOU’RE WORTH IT!!!
Yes to all of this! I started getting massages about once a month during my first pregnancy and never quit. Best decision ever! It’s something that is 100% for me, and I need it to keep my stress level down and feel my best.
I don’t. Simply because I can’t afford it. If I had a better paying job, I would most definitely be getting a massage just so I could relax.