Surprising reasons why you may want to treat yourself to a massage over candy this October and for life.
Introducing the good, bad and scary about sugar and why
massage therapy may be your wisest chosen treat...
What's good about sugar? Well, it tastes good. Aside from that, sugar is the cause of weight gain, blood sugar issues, increased risk of heart disease and poor brain functional connectivity.
Did you know that sugar can actually cause the brain to atrophy or shrink?!! A high sugar diet can lead to excess glucose in the brain which leads to memory and cognitive deficiencies. Sugar effects certain neurotransmitters leading to sugar addictions. Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter and hormone. It plays a role in many body functions including movement, memory, mood, behavior and learning. According to a recent article by Cleveland clinic, high or low levels of dopamine are associated with several mental health and neurological diseases. Low levels of dopamine have been linked to Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome and depression. Low levels of dopamine can also cause one to feel tired, moody and unmotivated.
Sugar is a very difficult habit to kick because of its effects on dopamine and dopamine receptors so the best method to this madness is to find other dopamine inducing activities to engage in such as
massage therapy.
Did you know that massage therapy increases neurotransmitter production of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin? These hormones help us cope with stress. Healthy dopamine levels encourage relaxation which lessen feelings of stress and tension. In addition, when oxytocin levels go up, heart rate drops.
So, with all this enlightening knowledge about why massage therapy is ultimately the best long term "feel good" and happy-healthy choice when compared to sugar/candy, which will you choose to get more of in 2022 and beyond? I hope you'll choose more massages and if so, instead of grabbing a second or third piece of candy from your kids "trick or treat" plastic pumpkin, grab that computer mouse and book a massage online at A Knead for Wellness.
Written by Tiffany Scarpelli, LMT & Owner of A Knead for Wellness, Massage Therapy