6 Tips You Should Do After A Post Massage Session

6 Tips You Should Do After A Post-Massage Session

Getting a massage is like getting a temporary respite from the daily hustle and bustle of life. Not only does it promote relaxation but also reduces stress, as well as tension and fatigue. It even improves circulation! All those health benefits aside, post-massage care also matters after a session. Besides, you want to retain the same state of relaxation for as long as possible. So, to do that, here are the 6 Tips You Should Do After A Post Massage Session.


1) Make Sure You Stay Hydrated

Feeling soreness or even pain after a massage? Massages are supposed to make you feel good. But none of this really matters if you neglect to stay hydrated. And we don’t mean getting a cup of coffee, tea or carbonated beverage because they are diuretics. Personally, I’ve made some of these mistakes before in the past and I’ve learnt my lesson ever since. Instead, drink a full glass of water or two. You see, your body gets dehydrated after a massage and you need water to flush out lactic acid and toxins out of your body system. This also helps to prevent soreness or pain the following day.

Remember to stay hydrated after a massage session!
Image Credit: loeda.com.au

2) Watch What You Eat

You may feel hungry after a massage session. The reason? Massage stimulates your digestive system and not to mention, your blood sugar level would take a dive during the session. So, whatever you do, it’s best not to eat a heavy meal because you will only cause your body to feel bloated and sluggish. Your best bet is to refuel your body with a light snack, say a banana, blueberries, raw almonds or dark chocolate. If you choose the latter, go for at least 70% to 85% of cacao content.

Eat a light snack like blueberries after a massage
Image Credit: @MarkTheSpotMassage

3) Skip Exercise

Well, we know that exercise is good. It keeps our body healthy and such. But exercise after a massage is a bad idea. Doing so will increase the chance of experiencing muscle soreness. So, whether you’re thinking of going for a jog or hitting the gym later, it’s best not to perform any exercise. The general rule of thumb is to wait at least 24 hours after a massage. Even if you insist on exercising, go for yoga or some light stretching instead.

Avoid exercise after a massage session
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4) Don’t Stress Yourself And Get Some Rest

The general purpose of getting a massage is de-stressing our tired body. Even after a session, avoid stress if possible and continue to stay relaxed. Go home, take a nap or read a book. Or perhaps listen to soothing music. Alternatively, why not cosy up and just watch Netflix? No point in getting your already-loosened muscles all tensed up again, which would be a waste of money (hey, massage isn’t exactly cheap, you know) at the end of the day.

Take a break and relax after a massage session
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5) Take A Warm Shower But Not Immediately

Okay, those oils that were used for all the kneading and rubbing during a massage session usually leave your skin a bit slick and oily. You might be tempted to get back home and wash it off as soon as possible. As uncomfortable as you may feel, it’s best to wait at least an hour to allow the oils to seep into your skin.

And when it’s time to hit the shower, stick to warm water. Warm water happens to be the right temperature that helps to relax your body as you shower. Showering with steaming hot water, in the meantime, does the opposite. You may end up aggravating your muscles, which in turn could lead to unwanted inflammation. But in case you feel sore after a massage, a cold shower not only helps to ease the pain but also minimises inflammation.

Take a warm, not hot shower after a massage
Image Credit: healthline.com

6) Don’t Just Stick To One Session

A single massage session alone can be costly. But you want to reap maximum benefits in the long run, massage therapy typically works best over time. For instance, if it’s more about relieving stress due to regular workload, consider scheduling a massage session every 4 to 6 weeks. And assuming you are an athlete or an active individual, getting a massage at least every other week is vital to improve the muscle healing process and minimises the formation of scar tissue.

Don't just stick to one (massage) session
Image Credit: massagefremantle.com.au

Speaking of relaxation, check out this article below to find out our recommended list of great spas in KL & Selangor!