Health and wellness spas make up a growing £7 billion industry in the UK, with 68% of us interested in extending our spa stays into two or three-day retreats.
Spa massages in particular are amongst the most popular spa treatments, with different types of massage appearing four times in the top 10 in-demand treatment list for this year.
The hashtag #massage has over 19.7 billion views on TikTok, with the hashtag #spamassage receiving a further 9 million views. It’s clear we’re all searching for ways to enhance our relaxation time.
Therapeutic and calming, a spa massage is the ultimate relaxation treatment, soothing aching muscles and helping you maintain a positive frame of mind. But have you ever left the spa floating on a cloud of comfort only to feel achy and uncomfortable again after only a few days?
Armathwaite Hall, a luxury hotel offering gorgeous spa day experiences in the Lake District, has gathered together some top tips on how to extend the effects of your spa massage.
Key Findings
- Remember to drink plenty of water – proper hydration will make your massage more enjoyable by making your muscles easier to manipulate and improving blood flow.
- Don’t wash off any oils your massage therapist uses – these oils will stop your skin from feeling dry and can continue to soothe muscle pain.
- Skip the gym – your muscles will need 24–48 hours to recover from your massage, so swerve your normal workout.
- Bring a snack – massage speeds up your circulatory system, increasing bodily functions, including your digestive system. A snack will help prevent light-headedness.
- Aim for perfect posture – your posture affects everything from your circulation to your energy levels. Maintaining great posture will help release tension and further the effects of your massage.
- Listen to your emotions – massage works to lower cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’) whilst increasing oxytocin (the ‘love hormone’) and serotonin (the ‘feel-good hormone’). Release any emotions this change brings up to boost your mental health.
