The list of things that a massage is beneficial for is lengthy. Stress, injuries, fibromyalgia, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety are just a few of the conditions that can benefit from massage therapy.
While you are likely familiar with massage therapy for health benefits, have you considered the relationship benefits a massage can provide as well? A couples massage can be just what your relationship needs to rekindle the romance, de-stress together, or celebrate an anniversary or another special occasion.
Keep reading for 7 reasons how a couples massage can actually strengthen your relationship.
Relationship Benefits of A Couples Massage
A couples massage is a great activity for you and your partner for a special occasion, while on vacation, or even just on a random day where you want to connect.
Most of the time, a couples massage happens in a room with two massage tables. You and your partner will each of a masseuse who will give the massage, using pressure and techniques to your liking.
You will usually get to choose the gender of your masseuse, so talk to your partner ahead of time to see what they prefer. You can also choose how much to take off or leave on.
If it’s your partners first time, you can guide them and let them know that a masseuse is discrete and there’s no actual viewing of any private body parts.
Many spas might even give you the opportunity to relax together in a whirlpool, sauna, or relaxation area. The dim lighting, quiet, soothing music, and privacy is a recipe for romance.
1. It Helps You Reconnect
It’s tough to find time to be alone with your partner, especially if you are both working and have kids. Any alone time is often spent running errands, doing work around the house, or talking about your kids.
During a massage, you have to let all that go and just relax. There are no lunches to pack or laundry to fold. You are both fully engaged in an activity without any outside distractions.
Doing this together and taking advantage of the time before and after the massage to relax together is a great way to reconnect without all the details of life bogging you down.
2. It Encourages Bonding
A massage can strengthen the bond a couple has. Sharing the experience can make the relationship more intense and bring the couple closer. It can also be a bonding experience if you’ve never experienced a massage before or are apprehensive.
Experiencing something for the first time together allows couples to bond over shared experiences, which might not happen so often after you’ve been together for many years.
3. It Increases Your Libido
A massage results in total body relaxation and it also relaxes your mind. Blood flow is increased, feel-good hormones are released, and in general, makes you want to get it on after it’s over.
Use a massage as 60 or 90 minutes of foreplay and enjoy your partner when you get home. There are even certain pressure points that are connected to sexual feelings that a massage therapist can focus on, like your feet, calves, and head.
4. It Relieves Stress
Tension in different areas of your body can contribute to stress and being stressed out also contributes to tension. A massage can help alleviate tension and stress. Combine this with a bonding experience with your partner, and a couples massage is an extremely helpful activity for both of you to relax and de-stress.
Hormones that contribute to relieving anxiety and stress, such as serotonin and dopamine, are released during a massage. Massage can also reduce stress-causing hormones as well, including cortisol.
5. It Makes You More Affectionate
Those feel-good hormones mention above aren’t just for stress release.
They also boost intimacy and affection. In addition to serotonin and dopamine, the human touch you get through a massage boosts oxytocin (sometimes called the “love hormone”) making you more affectionate towards your partner.
Oxytocin plays a significant role in all pair bonding. Stimulating oxytocin during a massage and then being affectionate towards your partner will increase your oxytocin levels, lessening depressive feelings and strengthening your relationship.
6. It Makes Your Partner More Comfortable With A Massage
If your partner is uncomfortable getting a massage or apprehensive about it, he or she might be more agreeable and willing to try it out of they know they can do it with you.
You can show them the ropes of getting ready, answer any awkward questions they might have, and just be there for them as they experience the massage.
7. It Has All The Same Benefits of A Solo Massage
All of the health benefits that come from a solo massage are present with a couples massage as well. You just now have the added benefit of improving your relationship as well!
A couples massage is a win-win situation for you and your partner. If one partner is stressed, chances are the other is feeling it as well. A massage to release stress will benefit both of you.
Don’t Wait To Strengthen Your Relationship
Whether you’ve been dating for 6 months or married for 20 years, chances are, your relationship could be strengthened with a couples massage. Even the greatest relationship can benefit from this shared experience.
