Combat Stress and Boost Your Brain Health: Use Massage Therapy to Lower Cortisol and Reclaim Your Mental Clarity
Cortisol is a primary stress hormone released when the body perceives a threat, bringing one into what we all recognise as ‘fight or flight mode’ which usually feels like anxiety (sweaty, increased heart rate, muscle tension, breathing quickens).
This physiological response is a primitive survival mechanism designed to protect us in dire situations however it reacts equally to everyday stressors that are not life threatening, unfortunately! Over time the repeated release of stress hormones takes its toll on the body and brain.
Research has shown (1) that high stress hormone levels from chronic stress are linked to memory loss, cognitive aging, and brain fog which can present as:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble remembering things
- Feeling forgetful
- Poor decision-making
- Trouble multitasking
- Brain fatigue (feeling brain-tired but not necessarily body-tired)
I do not want to stress you with this because there is good news!
Research has also shown (2,3) that massage therapy contributes to decreased levels of cortisol and the increased levels of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin – all the feel good hormones that are released when we feel relaxed, happy, safe, and nurtured.
Other ways to combat stress and the rise of cortisol are:
- Breath work
- Meditation
- Enough sleep
- Balanced diet
- Naturopathic supplements
- Exercise
- Fresh air, sunshine, nature
- Laughter
- Mental, emotional and physical support
So please remember this final quarter of 2024 that you have the power to create internal balance, taking small steps everyday will lead to positive long term outcomes and we are here to assist you in maintaining that overall homeostasis. Book a massage today to reduce cortisol and have your whole body and mind feeling relaxed!
