Tis the Season… to take care of your mental health. Many of us feel more stress, anxiety and/or depression around the holidays. You are not alone if you are feeling any of these things.
The National Institute of Mental Health indicated that in 2019 almost one in five adults lived with mental health issues. In June 2020, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report showed that nearly 40 percent of Americans were experiencing some sort of mental health concern, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience one trauma in their lifetime. Additionally, 7 to 8 percent of adults will have post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime.
Pain, fatigue, muscle tension and sleep disruptions can result from mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. There is an abundance of research suggesting that massage therapy can and does help with many chronic health conditions.
Some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you have difficulty attending to every day activities?
- Do you feel depressed or hopeless?
- Have you noticed a drastic increase or decrease in energy?
- Have you noticed a change in appetite or weight?
- Are you sleeping too little or too much?
Please consult a mental health professional if you are experiencing the above, and you don’t have other contributing factors. Your primary care physician is a great place to start if you don’t have your own mental health professional.
Massage therapy can help, but it is no substitute for a thorough medical evaluation. Massage therapy can bring relief as you manage your medical journey.
Learn more about how myofascial release can help with anxiety, depression, and exhaustion from John Barnes, PT, LMT.
References: Massage Today
