Massage For Dads – 7 Amazing Benefits Of Massage For Dads
Massage is often something we associate with women or mums. But there are so many wonderful benefits of massage for dads too!
Becoming a parent is a huge transition and can really have an impact on both the physical and mental wellbeing of both mums and dads.
A massage is an opportunity to relax and be rejuvenated, supporting dads to get back into the parenting game re-energised and refreshed.
A dad is the first significant male role model a child has and helps to set the tone for all other relationships in their lifetime. Dads play, teach, coach and guide children from infancy through to adulthood, often while working hard outside the home.
It’s easy to forget that dads deserve some self-care time too.
A professional massage is the perfect way to gift a dad some space to unwind and recharge, with the extra benefit of boosting his health and wellbeing.
Need any more incentives to book a massage for a special dad? Here are 7 benefits of massage for dads:
#1: Boosts mood
Research has shown massage has a very positive mood boosting effect. It reduces levels of a stress hormone called cortisol, responsible for the fight-flight response in our nervous system. Lower levels of cortisol allows the mind to calm and reduces anxiety and depression. At the same time, massage therapy boosts levels of serotonin and dopamine, both hormones that make us feel good.
#2: Pain relief
Massage therapy is an ancient form of pain relief, used for centuries with varying other treatments such as oils and aromatherapy. The power of massage is the way it loosens muscles and addresses specific pain points causing tension, which the dad in your life might be experiencing due to his job, such as lifting or sitting for long periods.
#3: Relaxation
Parenting and working a full time job, plus sports or hobbies, can leave little time for switching off. Many dads would love a chance to experience an hour or more of quiet, calm relaxation as their muscles ease and release. When the mind is given the space to relax, so can the body.
#4: Boosts immunity
In these times of Covid, who doesn’t want an immune system functioning at its very best? Immune function depends on a healthy body and mind. The amazing thing about massage isn’t just its direct effect on the musculoskeletal system. It also works on the circulatory system, which transports blood (and white blood cells) around our body. White blood cells protect us against disease and illness and regular massage can help increase the numbers of these immune cells in our blood and reduce inflammation.
#5: Improves sleep
Massage has a wonderful holistic effect in being able to enhance our ability to relax, to quieten the busy mind and allow the body to release tension. Sleep is often something we all need more of, especially in the early days and weeks of parenting a newborn. When we’re overtired, true restful sleep can be something even harder to attain. Massage can provide restorative relaxation that continues on, especially if it is done regularly.
#6: Improves body flexibility
Being a dad involves lots of activity, whether that’s playing chasey, coaching a team sport or doing a parkrun with the family. Massage helps to improve our body’s flexibility and range of motion, and gets those muscle recovering faster. Injuries also heal better when attention is paid to specific areas that might be creating more problems.
#7: Future proof his heart
Lowering blood pressure and reducing stress has an incredibly powerful effect on cardiovascular health. Unfortunately cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men (and women) and much of that is due to high blood pressure. Reducing stress, boosting the immune system and reducing blood pressure all improve overall health and wellbeing, now and into the future.
All too often dads tend to avoid or ignore things like self care, let alone seeing a health professional when they’re not feeling their best. Most dads spend long hours working and picking up the parenting baton when they are home – without taking time for themselves.
Massage for dads at Nurtured Birth
If you’re trying to come up with a unique and special way to show the dad in your life how much you value them, book him a relaxation massage or remedial massage therapy session.
Nurtured Birth’s massage therapists are highly trained and qualified who love treating dads as much as pregnant women and mums.
We offer gift vouchers as the perfect self-care gift for the special dad in your life. Please visit this page to purchase a gift voucher.
