
08/07/2025
MASSAGE AND MENTAL HEALTH
Stress isn’t just in your mind — it shows up in your body too.
Massage doesn’t just feel good — it literally changes your brain chemistry.
🟪 44% of Americans say they’re more stressed than they were five years ago.
(Source: American Psychological Association)
🟪 Massage therapy has been shown to reduce cortisol levels (stress hormone) by up to 31%, while boosting dopamine and serotonin — the feel-good neurotransmitters.
(Source: International Journal of Neuroscience)
🟪 Just one session of massage can significantly reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in people with mental health challenges.
(Source: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry)
🟪 60-minute massage = 1.5x more effective than a nap for lowering stress.
(Source: American Massage Therapy Association)
🟪 Massage also helps improve sleep quality, especially for people with anxiety, depression, or chronic stress.
(Source: Sleep Medicine Reviews)
Basically it means:
⬇️ Cortisol (stress)
⬆️ Serotonin + Dopamine (feel better, function better)
Science says yes.
Your nervous system says thank you.