Before or After Vacation? Why Massage and Travel Make Good Companions
Vacations are supposed to be relaxing.
Getting to them? Not always so much.
Over the years at Massage Refresh, I've had many clients schedule a massage just before leaving for vacation. It makes perfect sense. They want to begin their time away feeling relaxed, loosen up tight muscles before a long flight or drive, and leave some of the stress of everyday life behind.
I'm always happy to help them do that.
But I often tell them something else:
Don't forget about your body when you get home.
The Vacation Before the Vacation
Think about what happens in the days leading up to a trip.
There's packing, planning, finishing work, getting the house ready, arranging care for pets, checking itineraries and inevitably remembering something at the last minute.
Then comes the travel itself.
Whether you're sitting on an airplane or spending hours behind the wheel, prolonged sitting can leave the hips, lower back, neck and shoulders feeling stiff and uncomfortable. Luggage adds another physical demand. Lifting suitcases into cars, pulling them through airports and hoisting bags into overhead compartments can be taxing.
A massage shortly before traveling can be a wonderful way to address existing muscle tension and begin your trip feeling a little more comfortable and relaxed.
But Isn't Vacation Supposed to Be Restful?
Sometimes.
A week lying beside the ocean may sound restful, but vacations often involve considerably more physical activity than our normal routines.
You may walk miles sightseeing. Climb stairs. Hike. Swim. Carry bags. Sleep in an unfamiliar bed. Sit in positions your body isn't accustomed to. Spend hours in a car or airplane. Or try an activity you haven't done since your last vacation.
Even a wonderfully relaxing trip can send you home with muscles wondering exactly what happened.
And then there's the return journey.
By the time you walk through your own front door, you may have had a fantastic vacation, and still feel like you need a vacation from your vacation.
That's Where the After Massage Comes In
A post-vacation massage provides an opportunity to address the areas that became tight, tired or sore while you were away.
Depending on your individual needs, massage may help reduce muscular tension, promote relaxation, improve mobility and provide some welcome recovery after long periods of sitting or increased activity.
There's also something to be said for the transition itself. We often go directly from vacation mode back into work, family responsibilities and our normal routines. Setting aside an hour for yourself after returning home can provide a quieter bridge between the two.
So, Before or After?
My answer is: they serve different purposes.
A pre-vacation massage can help you leave home feeling relaxed and address the tension you're already carrying.
A post-vacation massage can address what the traveling, sleeping, walking, driving, flying and adventuring did while you were gone.
And if you choose both? Think of them as bookends around your trip.
At Massage Refresh in Decatur, Texas, every massage is tailored to what's going on with your body that day. Before your trip, that may mean preparing for hours on a plane or in the car. When you return, we may discover an entirely different set of muscles asking for attention.
So go ahead. Take the vacation.
Just remember to bring yourself home, too.
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