Massage therapy can be a physically (and sometimes emotionally) demanding career, but it’s also incredibly rewarding for massage therapists who love what they do. Self-care is an essential part of longevity in the field and is key to preventing overuse injuries or exhaustion. Here are 5 self-care practices every massage therapist should adopt.
1. Stretching or Yoga
Regularly stretching before and after sessions or getting in a quick yoga session every day is a great way to prevent physical burnout. Practicing yoga can also help you develop an awareness of your body’s abilities and a respect for your body’s limitations. Many yoga poses also mimic good body mechanics during massage sessions.
2. Meditation, Journaling, or Therapy
A couple of minutes of meditation before you see your first client can help you stay present during the session while maintaining emotional boundaries. Journaling at the end of the day can help you decompress from any stressful emotions you experienced and help you recognize positive moments. Some people prefer traditional therapy to help them analyze their emotions and form better habits. Everyone has their own way of dealing with emotional burnout, so use whatever tools work for you to ensure your mind is as healthy as your body.
3. Getting Regular Massages
So many massage therapists fall into the habit of giving their all for their clients without giving back to themselves. If you can’t remember the last time you had a massage, it’s time to set up a trade with a coworker or book a session for yourself.
4. Eating Between Clients
Sometimes a packed schedule can mean you’re going from one client to the next with very little time in between sessions to sit down and eat a real meal. This can leave you exhausted and shaky at the end of the day when you realize you’ve gone all day without fuel. If you need to block out time for a lunch break each day, do it! If you’re comfortable grabbing a handful of nuts, fruit, or a protein bar between clients, make sure you always have extra snacks on hand.
5. Setting Boundaries
It can be hard to turn down a client who wants you to come in on your day off, or to cut off a client who’s always running fifteen minutes late at the time their session is supposed to end. It can also be tough to tell an employer you need more time to change over the table between sessions, or that a scheduled lunch break is a must for you. Knowing what you feel comfortable doing and when you need to take a break might be the most important self-care tool in massage therapy.
