Getting a massage is what I think of as a “vacation activity.” One of those things you only allow yourself to indulge in if you’re hundreds of miles away from home and there’s a salty breeze blowing your hair—you know, like eating gelato for every meal or splurging on a pair of impractical sandals because they’ll “remind you of that time in Santorini.” But with purported benefits that include soothing sore muscles and fighting insomnia, maybe I’ve been too quick to judge the self-care habit.
To get the lowdown on how often you really should make time for massage (and, TBH, to give myself permission to schedule a rubdown more than once a century) I reached out to Zeel, a mobile on-demand massage company.
“Before booking, it’s helpful to understand how the different types of massage can help with [issues like] muscle tension, flexibility, range of motion, and even insomnia,” explains Alison Harmelin, the company’s co-founder. “In the same way the right fitness routine can positively affect your overall health and wellness, so can the right massage.”
Of course, there won’t always be room in your monthly budget for weekly or biweekly massages. But if finances are tight, your muscles don’t necessarily have to be. Just ask your S.O. or bestie to roll out the tension in your feet, scalp, and back. Or, invest in a massage ball to ease away all manners of aches and pains.
So whether you have an aching case of text neck from sitting at a desk 24/7, need some serious TLC now that you’re hitting your stride (to the tune of 15-mile runs) with your marathon training, or live with chronic pain, here’s exactly how often a massage therapist recommends adding some time on the table—or for a massage circle with your pals—to your Google Cal.
