It is common for massage therapists to offer drinking water after a massage, or encourage their client to drink water, especially if deep work was involved during the massage. Have you ever wondered why it is important to drink water after a massage, or really to drink water in general?
Continue reading this post to learn the importance of drinking water, and why it benefits you after a massage!
"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water." ~ Loren Eiseley
It is a fact that water is all around us. The earth is 70% water, and our bodies are about 60% water and our blood, about 90%. Because water is literally all around, maybe it makes us less likely to really know the benefits or water, so we all do not drink enough water daily. Or perhaps, that can of Zevia (my husband's go-to) tastes that much better than water. Either way, there are amazing health benefits of drinking enough water each day (the verdict is still out on the right amount of water, but craving it, you are already too dehydrated).
Top 10 Health Benefits of Drinking Water Daily
It lubricates the joints - Cartilage, found in joints and the disks of the spine, contains around 80% water. Long-term dehydration can reduce the joints’ shock-absorbing ability, leading to joint pain, and other joint issues.
It delivers oxygen throughout the body - With blood being 90% water, blood circulation helps bring oxygen to every area of the body. Without water, this process will not move as efficiently.
It helps the body's digestive system (and flush out toxins, literally) - Water helps the colon and intestine motility, and is essential for the digestive system to function properly. Without water, constipation, increased stomach acidity, heartburn, and ulcers can result.
It helps the body absorb minerals and nutrition - These compounds absorb in water which make it easier for the body to transport, and reach different parts of the body. Naturally, without water, the cells are unable to absorb minerals and nutrients for basic function and health.
It helps regulate body temperature - Water is stored in the middle layers of the skin, and when the body temperature increases for outside heat or exercise, the water reaches the surface and produces sweat, which then evaporates to cool the individual.
It helps physical performance - The lack of water in the body can lead to altered body temperature control, reduced motivation, and increased fatigue. It can also make exercise feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally. If you drink enough water, you ensure that you body can perform the basic functions - temperature regulation, blood circulation, brain function, etc.
It affects energy levels and cognitive function - Water plays a role in brain structure and function, and contributes to the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Studies show that even mild dehydration, such as the loss of 1–3% of body weight, can impair many aspects of brain function.
It can aid in weight loss - When you drink enough water before a meal, it can increase satiety and boost your metabolic rate. Some evidence suggests that increasing water intake can promote weight loss by slightly increasing your metabolism, which can increase the number of calories you burn on a daily basis.
It contributes to the health of our kidneys - Because kidneys affect the fluids in our body, the lack of water can cause kidney stones or other issues. By drinking enough water, our kidneys are able to function properly and flush out toxins.
It can help with headaches - Research has shown that a headache is one of the most common symptoms of dehydration. For example, a study in 393 people found that 40% of the participants experienced a headache as a result of dehydration.
* Top facts sourced from: Medical News Today and Healthline
"Water is the driving force of all nature." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
Top 5 Reasons it's Important to Drink Water After a Massage
Most of the reasons that water is important post-massage has a lot to do with the benefits of drinking water daily, but here is the link between water benefits and how it aids in your massage:
It helps your body flush out toxins - As we learned from above, water is essential to begin to remove toxins from the body. Massage encourages this removal of toxins and this circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the body. In order to enhance the benefits of massage, it is important to drink plenty of water in order to aid the body in elimination of toxins that have been worked out of the skin, muscles, and digestive organs. Of course, this process requires water, so make sure your drink!
It aids in digestion - During massage, your parasympathetic nervous system is activated, which is the rest and digest phase in your body. This more releaxed state can help your body digest properly, and also remove any released toxins from the massage. By drinking water after a massage, you are aiding your body's natural digestive processes and aiding your gut health. Your gut health is so important to your overall health. So, it's important to help keep it functioning properly and giving it the proper fluids to aid the process to keep you healthy and happy.
It can reduce headaches and fatigue - Just like above, drinking enough water can help reduce headaches and tiredness. Paradoxically, massages can sometimes trigger headaches. Hydrating is a great first step to prevent and reduce headaches. While massage can sometimes trigger a headache if the client was overworked, or too many toxins were released (or other unknown causes), it is important to drink water to aid the body in flushing out the system, and re-hydrating the muscles with fresh water and nutrients.
It can help decrease muscle fatigue - During massage, the therapist manipulates the tissue in order to break up adhesions or areas that are stuck in the body, and encourages blood flow and enhanced circulation as a result of dilating the blood vessels. This increased circulation needs water in order for more water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach the muscle to aid in its repair and removal of toxins (it lessens the build up of those pesky knots massage therapists always find bound in muscle tissue, too). By drinking water after a massage, you can help this natural waste removal and muscle rehydration process in order to reduce muscle fatigue.
It helps you stay energized and focused after massage - Massage taps into the parasympathetic nervous system by relaxing the sympathetic nervous system - our "fight or flight" reaction. By calming our body and mind, we tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the state in which our bodies rest and digest, which can leave us tired and fatigued after a massage. By drinking water after a massage, we are not only aiding the body's natural process to digest and restore, but we are also helping our body renew our energy levels, brain clarity, and reduce pain and fatigue post-massage.
Simply, water is a staple in our health and wellness. By having access to clean drinking water and staying hydrated, we are our best selves. So please, after a massage, take your therapist up on his/her offer, and drink the water! Your body will thank you. And of course, go book a massage - embrace self-care.
All my light. All my love.
Namaste,
Jordan
P.S - I was inspired to write this blog post in honor of #WorldWaterDay and celebrate the importance of water. This day is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis and raising awareness for the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe drinking water. If you are inspired to learn more about the cause, please visit World Water Day to learn more, and read what water means for people around the world!
My Gear:
Comments