Things to Do After Getting a Massage

While most people think of a massage merely as a service for the rich and famous. However, it is a medical treatment and self-care for all people, male and female. Massage therapy is an effective form of healthcare. Getting one periodically is a way to maintain bodily relief from organ-related conditions.

Even though getting a massage is wonderful, there are some steps to take afterward to ensure the results will last longer.

Follow the therapist's instructions after leaving the session. The assignment might include stretching, strengthening, or movement-based exercises to help the massage results last longer. However, you should not go straight to a gym and engage in strenuous exercise. That could injure your muscles and lead to muscle soreness.

You should remain active by engaging in light exercise to encourage continuous blood circulation.

After a massage, there might be changes and shifts in the body. Notice any physical changes and let the therapist know during your next session in order for necessary changes will be made.

After a massage, there might be mental and emotional changes. Be aware of greater clarity and thought productivity. Also, be aware of any emotional changes resulting from the massage.

Drinking enough water after a massage assists with the hydration and detoxification process. Therefore, you should drink 8–16 ounces of water within an hour after your massage, then continue hydrating throughout the day to promote hydration and to help flush out toxins.

Avoid high-sugar drinks, coffee, and alcohol. They are harmful to your body because they cannot aid in the hydration and detoxification process. They can do the exact opposite by causing dehydration.

Hydration matters after a massage because it helps:

• flush out released toxins
• ease post-massage soreness and fatigue
• restore fluid balance and circulation by replenishing what was lost
• extend that relaxed, peaceful feeling
• promote radiant, hydrated skin

Enhance water by adding lemon for a Vitamin C boost or cucumber slices for extra skin hydration.

It is best not to shower immediately after a massage. Wait at least an hour to let the message oil sit and be absorbed into your skin cells. A hot show will cause inflammation if you are suffering from a muscle injury. Cold water is better for pain relief, but warm water can help to relax your body.

You might feel hungry after a massage because there is an increase of blood circulation, which maximizes body systems function, including the digestive system.

If you eat a large meal, you will feel bloated, sluggish, or lethargic. Therefore, it is best to only eat a light and healthy snack to feel more energized.

Give the massage a chance to work even after you have left the session. Your body and mind should continue in a relaxed mode. Needing to sleep is actually a good sign that your body is doing exactly what it needs to do.

Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows your heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and signals your body to relax. It’s the same thing that helps you sleep soundly at night.

During your massage, your body releases feel good chemicals that might lead to drowsiness:

• Serotonin: Boosts mood and helps regulate sleep cycles

• Dopamine: Promotes relaxation and emotional balance

• Endorphins: Natural painkillers that also reduce stress

• Oxytocin: The “love hormone” that fosters calm and connection

• Acetylcholine: Encourages deep rest and lowers stress responses

Massage is like a gentle workout for your muscles. It increases circulation, releases tension, and flushes out metabolic waste. Your body may respond with fatigue, signaling the need for rest and repair while your muscles recover.

As your lymphatic system clears out toxins stirred up during the massage, your body may feel temporarily drained. Drinking water helps, but sleep is your body’s way of resetting.

Therefore, if your massage ends in a glorious nap, consider it part of the healing process. Your body knows exactly what it’s doing. It is the way of saying, “Thank you.”