Relaxing Massage: How to Prepare and Make the Benefits Last

Preparing well for a relaxing massage is already the beginning of relaxation: here are our tips for before, during and after your session. A relaxing massage lasts the length of a session; its effects can last much longer — provided you prepare a little and follow a few simple habits afterwards. Here is what we advise our guests at Yanis Prestige Spa.

Before the session

Arrive a little early

A massage started in a rush is half a massage lost. Arriving ten minutes early lets you change calmly, drink a glass of tea and let your heart rate slow down. The body then relaxes all the faster once on the table.

Eat lightly, stay hydrated

Avoid a heavy meal in the two hours beforehand: digestion and deep relaxation do not go well together. Do drink water, though: a hydrated body responds better to work on the tissues.

Say what you feel

The few minutes of conversation before the treatment are precious. Mention your areas of tension, places where you prefer not to be touched, your preferred pressure, and any pregnancy or medical condition. A well-informed therapist gives a better massage.

During the session

Breathe slowly, from the belly. Let the weight of your limbs settle: do not help the therapist lift an arm, let her do it. If the pressure is too strong or too light, simply say so; adjusting it is part of the treatment. And if you fall asleep, take it as a compliment.

After the session

Get up slowly

Take the time to sit on the table before standing up, then rest for a few minutes. Your blood pressure has dropped during the massage; the body needs a transition.

Drink, again

A glass of water or a herbal tea after the massage helps the body find its balance again. Avoid alcohol and coffee in the hours that follow if you want to preserve the state of relaxation.

Keep the evening free

Ideally, plan nothing demanding after a relaxing massage. A calm evening, a light dinner, an earlier night than usual: that is how the benefits — deeper sleep, relaxed shoulders, a clearer mind — settle in for several days.

What about adding a hammam?

The heat of the hammam prepares the muscles and makes the massage deeper. If you are unsure, our article Hammam or massage: what to choose for a first visit? will help you decide.