Massage therapy is one of the most effective natural ways to fight seasonal depression and boost your mood during the colder months. If you struggle with low energy and sadness when the days get shorter, regular bodywork sessions may be exactly what you need. Whether you are dealing with full seasonal affective disorder or simply feeling a bit down during the winter, there are proven ways that therapeutic touch can help restore balance and vitality.
Feeling fatigued? Need more energy? Want to improve your mood? A massage will not fix the winter blues, but a warm, quiet hour is a reasonable comfort when the days get short. The winter blues, better known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of depression that occurs during the same time each year, mostly during the fall and winter months. Although Seasonal Affective Disorder is more common where weather is more extreme, it still occurs in places like San Diego. People with Seasonal Affective Disorder report symptoms such as a loss of energy, appetite changes, anxiety, and trouble concentrating. It affects a meaningful number of adults every year, and it is more than simply disliking winter.
Seasonal affective disorder is treatable, and the approaches with real evidence behind them are things like light therapy, talking therapy and medication — not massage. There is no good evidence that a session raises serotonin or dopamine or lowers cortisol. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health puts massage’s benefit at short-term relief of stress and muscle tension. If the season is genuinely flattening your mood, start with your doctor.
A benefit of using bodywork to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder is that the positive effects can be felt immediately. This is a natural treatment, and can be combined with other treatments (such as diet and exercise) to complete a holistic approach. At Happy Head Massage they offer a variety of massages that can be customized to your physical and mental needs. Be sure to make regular appointments to combat the winter blues and elevate your energy levels!
Beyond the chemical changes in your brain, regular sessions provide a sense of routine and self-care that is crucial during the winter months. When daylight hours shrink and outdoor activities become less appealing, having a standing appointment gives you something positive to look forward to each week. The warm, calming environment of a treatment room also provides a welcome escape from the cold and gray outside.
Deep tissue and Swedish techniques are particularly effective for combating winter fatigue. Deep tissue work releases chronic muscle tension that builds up when people become less active during colder weather. Swedish techniques promote full-body relaxation and improved circulation, helping you feel more energized and alert throughout the day.
Nutrition and exercise paired with regular bodywork sessions create a comprehensive approach to beating the winter blues. Nutrition, daylight and movement do the heavy lifting there. A monthly massage is a small comfort layered on top, not a substitute for any of them.
Massage and the winter slump
Seasonal affective disorder is a medical condition, and massage does not treat it or correct any hormonal imbalance. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health puts massage’s benefit at short-term relief of stress and muscle tension. If the dark months are genuinely flattening your mood, that is worth raising with a doctor. If you are mostly just stiff and sluggish, an hour of warmth and quiet is a reasonable small kindness.
Beat the Winter Blues at Happy Head
Happy Head offers affordable sessions at all San Diego locations with no memberships or contracts required. Discover the full range of benefits of massage and book your appointment today to start feeling better this winter.
