Biohacking with In-Home Sleep Massage

Have you ever been massage drunk? I sure have. It is so blissful. Nobody ever wants that feeling to end. You put your body in a "Rest and Digest" mode and then you have to get in your car and drive and deal with traffic, etc. You certainly don't feel as great when you get home then you did when you first got off the table. This is especially true for relaxation/Swedish Massages.

The newest trends today are mobile massages. I think this is by far one of the best ways to get the most benefit from massages. The majority of in-home massages I am seeing right now are sleep massages in the evening ( around bedtime). For a few years, I was not of fan of this concept since I focus more on very specific bodywork that helps folks get out of pain and move easier. As it turns out people need help powering down their brain just as much as reconfiguring their body. From dusk till dawn, people are "ON" and usually don't slow down until they are hitting the pillow. A lot of these folks can't disconnect and often time try going to bed with a racing brain. As a result, we have a sleep problem in this country.

I like to imagine living in early America and having a busy day out working the fields and taking care of animals. Then going to my little house and reading by the fire until it was time to go to bed and having the deepest sleep you could ever have. In reality that is just stuff of fairy tales and those people were just trying to survive just like we are doing today. They were probably happier and more fulfilled though. I suspect they did not have as much issue with sleep then we do today.

I love the idea of bio-hacking. It is a term that I am seeing more and more. It is how we bridge modern life with our ancestors. Sleep massage is not even something I learned in school but picked up from other therapists. It is the most non-invasive way to hack people's parasympathetic system and help them clear their brain and relax every fiber of their being. It is slow and gliding. The room is dark and aromatherapy is drifting through the room. I usually like to have red lights dimly lighting the room and tones or gentle nature sounds playing softly. Clients can usually just go right to bed after I pack up and leave.

I recommend my clients try not to make conversation and focus on breath and even some personal meditation. This whole set up helps my clients develop more of a mindset before bed from thereon out. Although most people can't afford a bodyworker to come every single evening they can start setting a therapeutic mood for themselves so they can emulate that experience.

There is always an initial weirdness thinking about someone in your home at a time that is private. However, set up a meeting with a therapist first. I think trust is critical in a therapeutic relationship. Ask about their setup and what to expect. You are not going to feel good about getting bodywork from someone you feel ‘iffy’ over. Therapists are not like delivery drivers and you get what you get. We are professionals and we take pride in our work and love what we do.

Everything comes to your door now. Instead of unnecessarily drugging yourself, try finding a therapist that specializes in helping your sleep.