Although some people may envision an image of an asylum patient when they hear the words "mental illness," that is a more extreme version of the term.  Mental illness can involve various levels of stress, depression and severe anxiety.  Because it is estimated that approximately 18.2 percent of Americans over the age of 18 is living with a diagnosable mental disorder, it's important to find ways to treat the illness so that there can be fewer symptoms.  If you are one of the people dealing with a mental illness, you may want to consider the benefits of getting regular massages to treat your disorder.  Learning more about how massages affect mental illness can help you determine if you should begin a massage regimen today.

Massages Help To Reduce Cortisol Levels

Cortisol is designed to be released from your adrenal glands in response to situations that require a heightened sense of awareness.  This could involve something as simple as getting up in the morning, or may pertain to more serious events, such as attempting to escape from someone who is chasing you.  The cortisol helps to provide increased energy for the event, and once the situation has been dealt with, your cortisol levels will gradually decline back to their normal level.

However, when you are under stress, your body begins to pump out more cortisol than you actually use.  This plays a role in your mental health because you may notice that you are more irritable, feel much more tension and can't seem to relax no matter what you do.

Getting regular massages is a great way to deal with this issue.  Studies note that cortisol levels decreased by an average of 31% as a result of massage therapy.  This helps you sleep and feel much better.

Some Mental Illnesses Have A Physical Origin

One of the reasons why massages have an effect on mental health is because some mental issues are due to a toxic physical body.  Eating a heavy, modern diet could result in toxic overload in your body.  The toxins hide within your muscles and can lead to mental issues such as depression or anxiety if they are not removed from your system.

When you get a massage, toxins are removed from the tissues of your body and released when you urinate.  This clears up your system so that you can think more clearly and have more emotional balance.

Getting massages can go a long way toward improving your mental health.  Begin getting massages as soon as possible so you can enjoy these benefits and many more. Contact a center like MassageWorks Of Sarasota Inc to get started.