Among its many benefits, Bradenton at-home massage therapy can actually help you manage the summer heat and other seasonal stressors.
It’s hot out there. Really hot. I’m seeing a triple-digit heat index every afternoon, and summer hasn’t peaked yet.
This kind of heat isn’t just uncomfortable. It generates incredible stress, both emotionally and physically, so much so that it can be dangerous, especially for seniors and people with underlying medical conditions.
So of course we see a lot of tips for keeping cool and staying safe in the summertime: dressing in loose, cool clothing; staying indoors during the hottest parts of the day; keeping hydrated; etc.
But did you know that here in Bradenton, massage therapy can also be a vital part of managing the effects of extreme heat?
Cooling off and reducing heat stress are some of the most overlooked benefits of many types of massage therapy. And by offering at-home massage in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties, I’m able to provide these heat-management benefits without making my clients brave the heat themselves.
Here are some of the ways massage can keep you cool and help you have a safer, more comfortable summer experience overall.
Improved Circulation Equals Better Cooling
We talk a lot about improved circulation in my massage practice. That’s because blood flow is such a vital physiological function for bringing nutrients to every cell in the body while simultaneously removing waste.
But another important function of circulation is heat management. When your body experiences a hot environment, it triggers a series of responses to help stay cool—like, for instance, sweating so that the evaporating sweat carries heat away.
Another way the body keeps cool is by opening blood vessels closer to the surface of the skin so more heat is transferred outward, away from the body’s core. When stimulated by a trained massage therapist, your circulatory system will function better when trying to keep you cool.
Reduces Physical Discomfort
It’s not just the heat itself. When your body is dehydrated, you experience muscle cramps, inflammation, and other painful symptoms. Of course, consuming adequate water and electrolytes is job one. But massage therapy also serves to relieve soft-tissue pain and reduce the inflammation caused by dehydration.
Relieves Stress
Unlike other parts of the country, here in Florida we experience Seasonal Affective Disorder in the summertime. Any time spent in the heat will increase your physical and emotional stress, but spending all day, every day primarily indoors can take a toll, too. Additionally, limitations on physical activity—whether you’re unable to exercise or just can’t spend much time in the garden—mean fewer stress-relieving activities to turn to.
Massage remains a go-to stress reliever no matter what time of year it is, but summer might be when many Bradenton residents need it most.
Improves Sleep
We love the sunshine here in the Sunshine State. But the longest days of the year can also wreak havoc on our circadian rhythms, causing sleep trouble.
Reduced stress isn’t just about relaxing your neck and shoulders; many massage modalities are designed in part to lower cortisol levels, which means you’re not just more relaxed during the day; you’re also able to get much better rest at night.
Bradenton Massage Makes Summer Better
Summertime in southwest Florida sure beats shoveling snow. But our warm weather and sun-filled days have their own drawbacks. As well all contend with another long, hot summer, I’m happy my Bradenton massage service is able to offer much-needed residents to my neighbors here.
Now is a fantastic time to explore the benefits of massage while you navigate the hotter temps. I’ll even come to you.
