Here is a checklist of the things you should not do after getting massage therapy. Doing these things after a massage cannot prevent you from getting the maximum benefits from massage therapy.
We have listed ten (10) things that you should not do after a massage.
- Not Drinking Enough Water
Not Drinking Enough Water
After massage therapy, decreasing your water intake after the massage therapy is not ideal. Massage therapy can help to detoxify and rehydrates your skin.
You must drink enough water to assist the hydration and detoxification process.
What to Do:
Water is vital. Therefore, make sure to drink enough water after a massage.
- Take A Shower Immediately
Take A Shower Immediately
By taking a shower immediately after your massage therapy session, you will wash off the massage oils. These massage oils are not yet completely absorbed by the skin cells.
What to do:
It is best to shower after an hour of your massage therapy session. Let the message oil sit and absorbed your skin cells within an hour.
- Taking Hot Shower
Taking Hot Shower
After your massage therapy, we know that taking a hot shower is tempting. However, if you are suffering from a muscle injury, it will increase inflammation.
What to do:
You have to skip first taking a hot shower. It is better to use cold water for pain relief. Moreover, it is ideal to use warm water when taking a shower. This can help to relax your body.
- Eating A Large Meal
Eating A Large Meal
After a massage, you may feel hungry. This happens due to the increase of blood circulation, which maximizes body systems function including, our digestive system.
And, by eating a large meal, you will end up feeling bloated, sluggish, or lethargic.
What to do:
It is best to eat a light and healthy snack to feel more energized after a massage.
- Drinking Coffee
Drinking Coffee
After relaxing massage therapy, you may be in the mood to take a great cup of coffee. However, drinking coffee after a massage is not a good idea. You cannot maximize the detoxification and rehydration process.
What to do:
You need to wait a few hours after your message before drinking a cup of coffee. This can help you avoid dehydration.
Moreover, it is best to drink your coffee the next day and rehydrate yourself by drinking enough water.
- Drinking Alcohol
Drinking Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages cannot encourage the hydration and detox process. It can cause dehydration.
What to do:
You have to avoid drinking alcohol for a day. It is best to drink enough water to promote hydration and to help flush toxins. Moreover, by avoiding alcohol, you can prevent next-day soreness.
- Doing Strenuous Exercise or Activities
Doing Strenuous Exercise or Activities
After a relaxing massage, you may feel energized to go to a gym and do some strenuous exercise.
However, this can lead to muscle soreness. Moreover, doing some strenuous activities can injure your muscles.
What to do:
Avoid doing some strenuous activities after your massage therapy. It is best for your body and mind to relax.
You can do some light activities – watch some movies or read some good books – chill and relax!
Moreover, after a massage is the best time to hibernate. You can nap for a while.
- Stressing Yourself Out
Stressing Yourself Out
One of the main benefits of massage therapy is helping you manage your stress. It aims to reduce your stress.
However, not avoiding things that cause you stress can make you feel anxious, which cannot help your body and mind to continue the relax-mode.
What to do:
After massage therapy, you should create a plan for a day. You have to make enough ‘me-time’ or self-care time.
Moreover, you have to schedule your day as a low-stress one. For example, make sure not to have any other meetings or errands after a massage. Take a rest!
- Forget to Stretch
Forget to Stretch
You may feel that your body is so relaxed after a massage. It also helps to loosen your stiff muscles and knots. However, if you forget to stretch after a massage therapy session, you can’t prolong this effect.
What to do:
After a relaxing massage session, make sure that before you get off the massage table, do some moderate stretches within a minute or two. You can do some lunges, shoulder and torso rotations, and toe touches.
You may also continue doing some moderate stretches at home.
- Not Doing the Homework Assigned by Therapist
Not Doing the Homework Assigned by Therapist
If you forget to follow the advice of a massage therapist, you will decrease the benefits that you can get from massage therapy.
What to do:
Follow the advice and instructions of your massage therapist to get the most out of your massage therapy session.
If your therapist assigned some stretching, stretching, or some movement-based exercises – don’t forget to do it! You have to do your homework to gain the long-lasting effects of massage.
(Source – Massage Therapy: What You Need To Know. (2016). NCCIH; NCCIH.