The Beatles were right on this one. Love is one of the strongest human emotions and we crave it in all forms. Human beings express love in many ways and touch is one of the simplest and easiest ways of doing so. There are many types of touch: the loving touch of family, the platonic touch of friends, the sexual touch of a lover, and the healing touch of a therapist – each one as nourishing in their own way as the next.
Begin as you mean to end
A recent Norwegian study confirmed that stroking babies slowly “…seems to have analgesic potential without the risk of side-effects”. Any massage therapist could have told them that! We are a social animal and we need the comfort and safety of interaction. From the cradle to the grave, being part of a group or a couple or a team means that we’re safe because we are not alone. The trust that is invested in any relationship is what cements that surety.
Massage is a great example of how that trust works. It’s healing touch is good for both the body AND the mind because the receiver let’s down their guard to put themselves in the hands of the massage provider. In other words, they relax and let someone else do all the work. When people do this, surprising things can happen.
Learning how to let go
Ask any massage therapist and they will tell you that one of the comments they hear most is “I didn’t know how sore I was until you started massaging”. No wonder. We all run around 24/7 trying to get through our never-ending ‘to do’ lists. When we have a massage, we effectively apply the brakes and take time to reflect. Our brains get a rest and our tired and over-contracted muscles get the healing touch they need. People can feel ‘bruised’ the day after massage because so much trapped waste has been released by a single massage. The answer to that is to do it more often! Practice makes perfect. The more you make time to relax the better you will get at it.
So, Happy Valentine’s Day! If you want to give your partner a special massage to mark the night, just use a romantic essential oil blend in a diffuser or buy a ready-made blend buy a ready-made blend to do a seductive rub. If you really want to prove your love all year long, get a couple of Kneaders and exchange 5-10 minute massages every night – when they get home from a hard day, or in front of the telly, or just before sleep. Like all social animals who groom each other, it will strengthen your bonds, relax you and improve your overall well-being. And it also feels great. What’s not to like?
Peace and love, Una
