10 Minutes of Massage or Rest Will Help Your Body Fight Stress

Set a timer and let yourself relax for ten minutes—it could really help you fight stress. University of Konstanz researchers found people experience higher levels of both psychological and physiological relaxation after only ten minutes of receiving a massage, and even just ten minutes of rest increased relaxation, though not as much as a massage. The scientists say this is the first finding that indicates short-term treatments can significantly reduce stress by boosting the body’s parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). Researcher Maria Meier says, “We are very encouraged by the findings that short periods of dis-engagement are enough to relax not just the mind but also the body. You don’t need a professional treatment in order to relax. Having somebody gently stroke your shoulders, or even just resting your head on the table for ten minutes, is an effective way to boost your body’s physiological engine of relaxation.” Here’s the complete story from EurekAlert!