How Self-Care & Massage Therapy Can Heal Insecurities

Most insecurities stem from a negative relationship with the body. This relationship is the link between our mental and physical states, and everyone’s is different. Body image and insecurity are less about your actual body and more about what you see, or rather, what you perceive about yourself. You should see yourself for what you are: loved, valued, whole, and worthy. If what you see isn’t a reflection of these, then you are likely being hindered by your insecurities.

Practicing self-care is one way to heal your insecurities, whatever they may be, so that you can live a life unhindered by fear and self-doubt. Massage, in particular, is a judgement-free way to open yourself up so you can begin to heal from the outside in.

Where Do Your Insecurities Stem From?

There are a number of insecurities that clients voice to me about getting a massage. It could be weight, age, disability, overall health condition, perceived flaws, or that they don’t look how they are “supposed to”. Some individuals don’t feel comfortable undressing or being seen. Discomfort with your own body and needing to be covered also stem from similar insecurities.

When my clients do open up to me about these issues (or I simply sense discomfort from them), I view it as a victory; simply acknowledging the issue, even in passing, is the first step to overcoming the issue.

Allow Yourself to Heal

In order to get to the root of your insecurities, you must give yourself permission to do so. Give yourself permission to become whole. As a board certified massage therapist, I can speak with confidence that massage therapy is a form of healing. I am here to help your body, and the perception you have of it, heal. You shouldn’t feel insecure about your physical appearance because my practice is a judgment-free place of healing. I work with individuals of all ages, weights, conditions, and shapes. Truly, I have seen it all. But most importantly, you are not alone. You are never alone.

Practicing Self-Care & Massaging Away Insecurities

So how does self-care help insecurities? When we practice self-care, we’re not just caring for our bodies; we’re simultaneously caring for our minds. Whatever form of self-care you practice, whether it’s a meditation session, a candle-lit bath or even going for a walk, you’re giving your mind the chance to cope with whatever might be bothering you.

Massage therapy, in particular, specializes in healing both body and mind. Your body craves love, care, and touch. We all need physical touch in our lives. It is vital for survival, not just during your developmental stages as a child, but throughout your entire life. A caring touch is healing and communicates so much, namely, that you are worthy of comfort, compassion, and feeling good. Our minds react by releasing powerful chemicals that influence our feelings. What a powerful thing!

Emotional and Physical Healing

Endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin are released when individuals are happy, in love, or when you get a massage. Massage releases physical tension built up from negative self image. These chemicals change the negative thoughts in your mind to help heal the body.

When you get a massage, peace and calm wash over you. Not only does it feel good, but just one massage session rids the body of anxiety, stress, negativity and physical pain, leaving you with only positive thoughts about your state in life…and yes, your body. I’ve found that there’s no better place to confront your insecurities than when lying on a massage table. Lying comfortably beneath a sheet in the dimmed lights while the therapist’s warm hands gently knead out tension is not only an instant relief – things suddenly become clear in your mind.

When you receive a massage, you know you are doing something good for yourself and you can feel it. You are investing in yourself, and simply acknowledging this, that your emotional and physical health are worth investing in, starts to change how you view yourself for the better.

The First Step

Massage helps you rebuild the connection between your mind and body. You have to accept yourself as you are, in whatever state. This acceptance must come from inside you. While massage is not a cure-all, it does bring awareness back into the body. Through quiet meditation, being in a comfortable environment, and receiving validation through caring touch, you can begin to accept your body and get rid of insecurities. I want you to feel valued and safe, and that is what I hope to convey to you while you receive a massage.

Send your body a new message of love and acceptance by choosing a method of self-care, and resolve to practice it regularly. Allowing your body and your mind to heal through therapeutic touch enables you to feel good in the skin you’re in, which is just one step closer to freeing yourself from insecurity completely.