Human Beings
We are human beings. This sentence is almost meaningless to most people because we have lost the definition of what a human being is. We are not machines. We are soft and resilient, we are a part of nature’s animals, we have needs that cannot be filled by computer screens and smart phones. Humans come in many shapes, sizes, colors, with variations in skills and dispositions.
In a world where productivity is praised beyond self-care, it can be difficult for us to realize when we are missing out on the essentials. For the working class, it isn’t realistic to just take a mental health day off work, when you need every dollar of that paycheck. Although, as most people know, if you do not make time for yourself now, your body will eventually force you to care for it. I like to try to “self-care” on my schedule, instead of waiting until the breaking point and being forced to rest when it is even less convenient. I call it “preventative maintenance”, and my monthly massages are absolutely a part of this category. Sometimes after a big event, I do get an extra massage that goes under “repair and reset”, but I also do my best to plan for these things, so I am not caught off guard.
Human beings need fresh air, sunshine, and water (for internal and external use). Nothing resets me and my brain quiet like standing outside in the pouring rain (assuming it is of my choosing, and I have dry clothes and a warm blanket to snuggle under when I am done). If you cannot take a full week retreat to a tropical island, might I suggest spending an afternoon at your nearest beach or forest? Where I live, there is a really beautiful park that has a walking trail around a pond and is surrounded by trees. You can still hear traffic in the distance, but I consider this a win for my nature needs.
Human beings are also social creatures. I personally really struggle with this one, because I really value my alone time (which is also important) and I struggle with small talk and being in crowds. I like to look for social opportunities that I vibe with, like my dance classes which are good socially and physically. There are also sometimes events at the library or other public areas that attract like-minded people, so conversing is a bit easier.
I welcome human beings into my massage space. Massage Therapy is for everybody and EVERY BODY, and while I cannot speak for every massage therapist, I can say that I honestly believe this to be true. All humans are welcome on my table. You don’t need to be injured or stressed or have any underlying conditions, but it’s okay if you do. You don’t need to shave your legs, or wash your hair, or apologize for any such things, I am just happy you are getting a massage. You don’t have to be thin or thick or tall or short or male or female. You can be all of these things or none of these things, in any case, you still deserve a mental health massage. Even if your mental health is “fine”. Call it preventative, and book your appointment.
