Top things you shouldn't do after a massage (and why)

Massage aftercare: don't go straight to the gym

People have massages for different reasons. Sometimes it's purely about rest and relaxation, sometimes it's about easing aching muscles or helping to address a sports injury. Maybe it's a combination of reasons, but relaxation is inevitably part of the process - for mind and body. While exercise is great, it tends to increase muscle tension, where massage helps to alleviate it. Broadly speaking, having enjoyed your massage, you don't want to undo its benefits - try to keep the workouts to your pre-massage activities!

Don't dehydrate after a massage

Different massages have different effects on the body, but generally speaking they tend to increase blood flow, which causes you to dehydrate. Therapists will typically offer you a glass of water or a herbal tea after your massage, and it's a good idea to take it! Try to avoid coffee and caffeinated drinks, and keep sipping water, herbal teas, and infusions for the rest of the day. Not only will it contribute to the feel good factor, but it will stop you from getting a headache as a result of dehydration.

Don’t drink too much alcohol

With that in mind, it's a good idea to keep alcohol to a minimum after a massage as well, or avoid it altogether. While it's often a nice idea to have a glass of champagne as part of your spa day, one of our top post-massage care tips is to stick to non-alcoholic drinks for a bit so you can maximise the benefits of your treatment.

Don't heavy a meal immediately after a massage

Take a bit of time to enjoy feeling relaxed and sleepy after a massage. Give your body time to adjust and fully absorb the benefits of your treatment before eating a large meal, otherwise you may find you feel a bit sluggish. Half an hour to an hour should be fine, but it's even better if you stick to light, healthy foods for the rest of the day.

Don’t take a hot shower or bath right away

At Spabreaks.com we recommend that you try to have your spa treatments after you have used the spa facilities such as the pool, sauna, and steam room. That's partly because they're a great way to help the body relax and prepare for a massage. It's also because then you can leave all the lovely oils and products used by your therapist to keep working on your skin for the rest of the day, rather than washing them straight off. In addition, sometimes people feel a bit dizzy after a great massage, so it's best to avoid really hot baths and showers until you feel back to normal.

Don’t rush back into stressful situations

The relaxation areas in spas are a wonderful place to spend time after a treatment, especially a massage. Calm spaces where you can doze off, read a book, listen to music, and have a herbal tea, they are a great way to continue enjoying the calm, feel-good-factor or your therapy. Try to make space and time so you can maximise the relaxation and mental benefits, rather than racing straight back to work and stressful situations.

Don’t stay inactive all day after a massage

While you might not want to race straight back to an intense workout after your massage, a little light movement, like a stroll around the spa gardens, is a great way to help keep the circulation going and prevent stiffness.

Don’t forget to rest if needed

Remember it's ok to lean into that relaxed feeling after a massage - take a nap, or go to bed early. Massage often leaves people feeling blissfully tired post-treatment (lots of people fall asleep during a massage), as a result of neurochemical reactions. Remember, it's ok to take it easy - enjoy the downtime.

Don’t forget to book your next massage

Lots of us have a massage, realise how wonderful it is, and then leave it for ages before enjoying one again. Increasingly it's shown that incorporating massage into your regular wellness routine is good for mind and body... it's also just a really nice thing to do. So, don't leave it so long next time!