What is a good, full body massage anyway?

There was a time not so long ago when a good massage was considered a luxury but how times have changed. Today, wellness is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, backed up by a wealth of research into the benefits of modalities from acupuncture to Ayurveda to yoga – and yes, massage. Here, Karma’s Spa & Wellness Curator shares 8 excellent reasons to book a massage on your next holiday.

Massage is good for the lymphatic system
One of the biggest wellness trends right now is lymphatic treatments and with good reason. Often referred to as the ‘filtering system’ of our body, our lymph system helps protect us from infection and disease by filtering out toxins, waste and unwanted materials from the body.  Combining massage with a sauna and steam supports lymphatic drainage – try it at Karma Kandara with a Balinese massage ritual followed by an infrared sauna overlooking the Indian Ocean!

Massage can help lower blood pressure 
Science is now starting to prove what many of us already know through experience – that a massage is good for our wellbeing. Emerging research proves that taking a regular massage can reduce our blood pressure which in turn has countless benefits for our heart health and longevity. 

Massage is good for our overall health. 
A regular massage is one of the best preventative care disciplines we can undergo for our long-term wellbeing. It not only relaxes the body but also improves flexibility and joint mobility (none of us want to grow old without having the ability to bend down and pick up our grandkids)! A massage is amazing for our mental wellbeing. Essentially, if something feels good for our body then it’s good for our mind too. 

There are so many massages to choose from! 
There are so many different types of massages that it can be tricky to know which one is best for you. My suggestion is if you have been feeling a little lazy lately, then book a Thai Massage or Deep Tissue Massage that will give your body a little work-out. On the other hand, if you are a gym-aholic, then opt for a gentler one like a Balinese Massage, to help ease your mind and relax muscles. 

A massage reduces our stress levels. 
Massage is now known to reduce cortisol stress-hormone levels as well and what could be better than that!  Massage helps pump blood around the body and through our organs including the brain so it goes without saying that the benefits of massage are epic. Of course, the better you feel, the more energy you have and the more you can do during your vacation!

A massage is beautifying for the skin.
In Ayurvedic medicine, (one of the oldest medicine systems in the world), it’s recommended we all do a daily self-massage to keep our skin texture toned.  Depending on the weather (sesame oil is recommended for winter and coconut for summer), apply oil over your body and massage, rub and pummel to help awaken the body and get the circulation and lymphatic system moving.  When done regularly, this helps to keep your skin firm, taut and toned.

How do you know when you need a good massage?
The body is an amazing machine and tells us when it needs extra care and love. You’ll hear it nudging you with small aches and pains and discomfort here and there. But if we don’t listen to these little signals, the body will start to scream. When you feel chronic tension in the body, negative thoughts in the mind, or suffer from insomnia or digestive issues, then you know it’s time for a massage! In a nutshell: We all need to look after ourselves first before we can truly take care of others. 

When to take a massage on vacation?
I recommend you pre-book your massage so you take it on arrival at your holiday destination. After a long-haul, it’s one of the best things you can do for getting the blood flowing again after being up in the air.  Reflexology is one of the best jet lag massages as it focuses on the lower legs and feet area. If you are prone to sleep issues or suffer jet lag, book your massage in the evening and if possible pair this with a warm magnesium salt bath before bed – you’ll sleep so well!  

Moral of the story – sprinkle your holiday with lots of massage, yoga, fitness work-outs, a daily steam or sauna and then we’ll meet you at the bar later for a much-deserved glass of wine!