Let's talk money.
For some people, massage feels like a luxury. It's something they would love to do but struggle to justify as a regular expense.
I understand that massage is a financial investment. I also think it's worth considering what we're actually investing in.
Being sick, injured, or in poor health can be expensive. Pain and physical limitations can affect your ability to work, exercise, and participate fully in your life.
Of course, there are injuries and health conditions we cannot prevent. We can't control everything that happens to us. Sometimes life throws us an unexpected car accident or an illness that changes everything.
But we do have control over many aspects of how we care for ourselves.
And that's where preventative self-care comes in.
Think About What You're Receiving, Not Just What You're Spending
An investment means putting something in with the intention of receiving something valuable in return.
If you spend $100 on a massage, what are you receiving?
Perhaps you're receiving:
Less muscular tension.
An opportunity to relax deeply.
More comfortable movement.
A better night's sleep.
Time to reconnect with your body.
A regular opportunity to step away from stress.
A renewed sense of well-being.
Improved immune function, digestion, circulation and many more
These are pure gold!
Massage is not guaranteed to prevent medical problems, but it can an important part of a broader approach to taking care of yourself.
I think it's a mistake to continually put your physical and emotional well-being last.
Our culture has conditioned us to behave as though we're machines. We work, produce, accomplish, give, and keep going.
But we're not machines.
We're soft-bodied, fully alive, wildly complex beings who are constantly changing.
And every single thing we do happens through our bodies.
Every person we love. Every laugh. Everything that hurts. Everything we adore. Every hug. Every time we pat our favorite animal.
All of it happens through our bodies.
Your health is everything. And anything you can do to take care of your health is a worthwhile use of your resources. That's what money is for.
