The Power of Touch: Using Massage to improve Self Connection and Esteem

Whether you’re a massage connoisseur who gets weekly hour-long massages or massage your you use your fingers to soothe achy temples when needed— you can’t deny that a massage feels good.

Its interesting.

We often correlate the grandeur of designer labels and five-star experiences with luxurious living, but I believe luxe living is bigger and yet more simple than that. Think about it, human connection through touch and massage with the purpose of healing truly embodies the essence of luxury.

In this post here I spoke on the physical benefits of self-massage and how amazing it feels. But lately I’ve thought about the psycho-emotional benefits we can gain from it and how we can use it to deepen self-connection, self-esteem and ultimately self-love. Self- connection is when we are regularly in touch with our emotional, spiritual and physical needs and we honor them in our daily actions. Getting regular massages can help us to foster this. Last week, my connection with myself was completely off. I was going through some hard circumstances, and I felt like my world was falling apart.

Physically, emotionally, mentally, I was at my wits end and the pain manifested on my body in the form of inflammation. I had to pull out all of the tools in my arsenal as I’m overcoming. My go to for me when life gets like this is always- first things first. What practical thing can I do?

I needed some water and a massage. PRONTO.

I booked an hour and a half deep tissue session at a spa and prayed for some relief. The first 30 minutes felt horribly painful. But as she continued to work magic in my muscles, I felt better and about hour in- I could feel the connection.

A quick note. There is a science behind sensation. The human body is incredibly responsive to touch. This is how endorphins—our natural “feel-good” chemicals are triggered. Massage reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels, improves blood circulation, enhances lymphatic drainage, and relieves muscle tension, contributing to overall physical health. I see massage as a practical gift that God has given us to connect with our bodies.

Ok, now onto the good stuff!

It’s really a Mind, Body, and Soul Connection

A well-executed massage can unlock emotional blockages, release pent-up energy, and bring a sense of peace. On the massage table, you have one responsibility. To lie there-and be. It’s a reminder to pause, breathe, and be present in the moment—a rare and precious gift in today’s fast-paced world.

Massage helps us to become more aware of our bodies by focusing on physical sensations. This heightened awareness helps us to recognize things that may feel off (or right!). As far as self esteem, focusing on physical sensations as opposed to being image focused helps us to appreciate our bodies as the beautiful vessels that they are.

Regular massage therapy helps to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting a sense of calm and well-being. Lower stress levels can contribute to a more positive self-image and greater self-esteem.

Getting regular massages helps us in building relationships. The trusting relationship with a massage therapist can provide a supportive environment, giving us space to feel valued and respected and open to change. When I have space for these things, my self-esteem improves a great deal.

Receiving a massage encourages us to practice mindfulness. As I said before, when you’re on the table, you have no choice but to be present in the moment and feel. This mindfulness can improve overall mental health and self-connection.

Experiencing positive touch through massage can improve our relationship with our bodies. In the moment, you don’t care so much how big your thighs are or how you need to lose 15 pounds.

Massage can facilitate the release of stored emotions in our bodies and help us to process and move past negative feelings. This entire process leads to improved self-esteem and emotional balance.

When we Invest time into our self-care through massage, we enforce the belief that we deserve to take care of ourselves! We deserve to experience, relief from pain! We deserve to have a boost in self-worth and self-esteem.

Overall, massage can be a powerful tool for all who want a deeper connection with self by enhancing self-esteem through physical, emotional, and psychological benefits.

I hope you enjoyed todays post. Like always, my desire is that my writings will encourage you to show yourself and your body some tender love and care and to know that all forms of self-care are for you.

XO, Anja