Spring is often experienced as a time of renewal and regeneration, and many of us find ourselves planning our gardens, cleaning our homes, detoxifying our bodies from heavy winter foods, and interacting more with nature (or communing with mud, as the case may be). For those with mental health challenges, however, depression and anxiety can persist despite the seasonal changes. Some research suggests that as many as one in every four individuals has either an anxiety disorder or has experienced a depressive illness. These conditions do not simply resolve as the earth warms and can have detrimental effects on one’s health and overall wellbeing.

Massage can be an excellent way to support one’s mental health during this change of seasons. According to research cited by the American Massage Therapy Association, massage can have a variety of positive impacts on people with mood disorders. Studies by German researchers and the Mayo Clinic show that massage can boost the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce anxiety. Massage has also effectively helped diminish symptoms of depression and improve mood among people living with chronic pain. And massage is not just for adults: Research with youth has demonstrated that massage can effectively lower anxiety and increase levels of dopamine, which is particularly beneficial for youth with depression.

Massage is increasingly used in an integrative approach to care, as it can provide support on both the physical and mental/emotional levels. Anyone looking to “clean out the closets” during this return to spring could consider massage as part of a holistic cleansing to help boost one’s mood and support the transition into spring renewal.

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