Often we limit the way we celebrate to doing things like eating big meals or going to movies or having drinks, but what if instead we shared in self-care and healing together?

It seems obvious that massage is good for more than just your muscles and joints, right? The other good stuff – the chemical cascade of goodness – that comes from massage is even more important during this pandemic.

There are a lot of studies out there showing that the pandemic has been difficult, to say the least, on our mental health. Even people who never before suffered from depression or anxiety are seeking help for those challenges.

And, of course, people who already suffered from mental illness felt the impact of isolation and uncertainty and constant change even more.

Isolation, uncertainty, constant change… these things can be directly dealt with in massage as can the stress that they all create.

Think about couples massage as a way to exponentially increase the benefits of massage. With two of you – whether good friends or partners – in the same space, there’s a magic that happens, deepening the experience on a physical and emotional level.

Perfect for Valentine’s Day.

So what exactly happens to us on a chemical level during massage?

First, we know that massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system associated with “rest and digest.” This happens after about 15 minutes of massage. So the longer the massage, the better for relaxation.

Second, after that initial 15 minutes, other stuff starts to happen, including a decrease in stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. Those hormones play a role, of course, if we need to run from a tiger, but too much of it in your body too much of the time and you’re feeling pretty awful.

Finally, we know that massage activates/increases some pretty awesome chemicals/hormones, including:

Serotonin, which regulates mood, appetite, and digestion. Some studies show it can increase up to 30% during a massage; 

Dopamine, which is associated with your reward center. Imagine! Getting a massage makes you feel rewarded! Just like falling in love, completing a task, or thinking about doing something really fun;

Endorphins, which helps with pain and mood. Deep tissue, in particular, leads to an increase;

And last but not at all least, OXYTOCIN! The LOVE and connection hormone. You can also get a dose of this just by hugging for more than 20 seconds.

If you want to schedule a couples massage for Valentine’s Day, do so quickly. Spots are limited and they tend to fill up fast!