The presence of cortisol and other stress hormones for a prolonged period may cause sleep deprivation, affect your immune system, and even lead to far more serious health issues if left unchecked. While such hormones offer a positive effect in the short run by tapping energy reserves and making you more alert, prolonged exposure will have detrimental effects unless they are lowered.
The effects of massage and meditation can be felt by the body for the positive benefits that they offer. However, the question of the effectiveness of both techniques in terms of lowering the stress hormones real or more of a temporary relief of tension in the muscles themselves has remained unanswered for quite some time.
Recent studies have shown that the proper amount of massage and meditation has a positive effect in reducing the stress hormone. The reasons why are both direct and indirect in terms of both methods, but they do work to lower the stress hormone which has a positive effect on the body itself. Lower stress hormones mean improvement in the immune system and lower risks of heart attack, stroke, and other debilitating conditions that are brought on by prolonged exposure to the stress hormones.
Massage
Massage helps to loosen and relax the muscles, especially after a long day of work. However, the relaxation is more than just the muscles being worked, it also releases hormones in the body that counter the stress hormones. Just like exercise reduces the stress hormones in the body, so too does massage as it works the muscles while helping to relax the body.
It may seem counterintuitive at first, but a good massage really works the muscles so that the result is feeling spent just like exercise. Because of the similar effect, the stress hormones in the body are considerably reduced after a short session of massage.
Meditation
This form of therapy consists of focusing the mind on one image or task for at least a few minutes without disturbance. It may consist of focusing on breathing, being in a specific place, reliving a memory, or some other focal point. Meditation for just a few minutes each day can help reduce cortisol and other stress hormones to a considerable degree.
You can combine meditation with exercise, such as yoga being the most popular example. However, you can use most forms of exercise as part of your meditation such as walking, jogging, or any single activity that is repeated for an extended period. For high intensity interval training (HIIT) and other routines that involve several different exercises in a short time frame, focusing on each one may offer similar effects as meditation.
Effective massage and meditation performed on a regular basis will reduce cortisol and other stress hormones in the body. Furthermore, it will lessen any debilitating effects from stress hormones if you participate in massage and meditation therapies over the course of your life. Combine that with exercise and you will have an effective defense against the ravages of continued exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones.