In a fast-moving world, you’re bound to be stressed every once in a while. But stress gradually takes a toll on the body, and without a healthy coping mechanism, you’ll likely crash and burn. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, getting a one-hour massage decreases stress hormone levels called cortisol by 30 percent. As cortisol goes down, serotonin — a chemical in the brain involved in enhancing mood — goes up by 28 percent.
Because stress tightens the muscles and creates knots in the body, body massages work wonders to relieve muscle tension that would otherwise restrict movement and increase pain.
