Getting a perfect massage is as important as taking medication for an illness. It is an effective way to relax your body, relieve muscle tension, and promote overall well-being. However, what you do after the massage is just as important as the massage itself.
Many people unknowingly make mistakes that can reduce the benefits of the therapy or even cause discomfort. To help you maximize the effects of your session, here are 8 things you should not do after a massage.
8 Things Not to Do After A Massage
Below are basic things you must carefully avoid after massage if you want to maximize the benefits of massage therapy and prevent post-massage soreness or casualties.
1. Avoid Intense Physical Activity
2. Don’t Skip Hydration
3. Don’t Eat Heavy Meals
4. Do Not Take a Hot Shower or Bath Immediately
5. Avoid Alcohol
6. Don’t Smoke
7. Don’t Apply Ice or Heat Unless Recommended
8. Avoid Stressful Situations
1. Avoid Intense Physical Activity
You’re expected to allow your body to relax after massage therapy, not to engage in strenuous or intense physical activities. Avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in any intense workouts so you won’t develop soreness and negate the benefits of your massage.
2. Don’t Skip Hydration
In simple terms, massage helps release toxins from your body muscles, and drinking water helps flush them out of your system. Therefore, you are expected not to skip drinking water after message to prevent dehydration which might lead to headache and body pain.
3. Don’t Eat Heavy Meals
Eating heavy meals can lead to indigestion and discomfort which in turn affects your relaxation after massage sessions. The expectation is that you are advised to take light and easily digestible meals like salads, fruits, and others to keep your body feeling great.
4. Do Not Take a Hot Shower or Bath Immediately
A hot shower might seem like a good idea, but it can cause your muscles to tighten, reducing the effectiveness of the massage. Instead, wait a few hours before taking a warm (not hot) bath or shower.
5. Avoid Alcohol
Drinking alcohol after a massage nullifies the actual benefits and reasons why you have massage therapy in the first place. While massage stimulates the lymphatic system and promotes detoxification, hydration is needed for proper circulation, but alcohol dehydrates the body negating circulation and post-massage stress-relief benefits.
6. Don’t Smoke
Just as mentioned above, smoking also negates the benefits of having massage therapy apart from taking alcohol. The nicotine in cigarettes restricts blood vessels and leads to improper blood circulation hindering the healing process of massage.
7. Don’t Apply Ice or Heat Unless Recommended
Unless your massage therapist gives specific instructions (especially in cases of injury or inflammation), applying ice or heat can affect your body’s natural post-massage responses. Instead, let your body respond naturally to the massage unless otherwise guided.
8. Avoid Stressful Situations
Your nervous system is in a relaxed state post-massage. Plunging back into high-stress environments like traffic, arguments, or intense meetings can disrupt this calm and negate the benefits. Instead, you’re advised to engage in calming practices like meditation, listening to soothing music, relaxation, and others.
Conclusion
How you treat your body after a massage session significantly determines how much you gain from it. By avoiding these post-massage mistakes, you allow the treatment to work deeply and effectively.
With the help of a professional massage therapist like Nooora, you can make the best use of your massage experience. Secure a session with Nooora today!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the aftercare of a massage?
There are several things you’re expected to do to increase the post-massage benefits. Some of them include hydration to flush out toxins, resting your muscles, avoiding caffeine or alcohol, and eating light meals to mention but a few.
2. What is the best thing to have after a massage?
The best thing to have after a massage is water. Hydration is important because massage stimulates your lymphatic system and encourages the release of metabolic waste. Therefore, drinking water helps your body eliminate these toxins effectively. Other things can be fruits, veggies, and protein-rich foods.
3. How to take care after a massage?
To take care after massage, you’re expected to stay hydrated, avoid intense physical activity, eat light meals, avoid stress or strenuous work, and others.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21199-lymphatic-system