Train travel is a great way to get from place to place. Not only is it an efficient and cost-effective way to move around, but it also gives you a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery. That said, train travel can be quite demanding, both physically and mentally. Sitting in uncomfortable seats for hours on end and enduring cramped quarters can cause physical discomfort and stress. So, it is important to take steps that ensure your body is properly prepared for the journey.
One way to take good care of your body is to book a massage session, both before and after the train journey. Massage therapy is a natural remedy that can help you relax your body and mind as you prepare for a long journey by train. Various types of massage treatments are available to promote relaxation, reduce stress, alleviate physical discomfort, and prepare your body for the rigors of train travel. Massage is also beneficial after your journey, helping you recover physically and mentally from the wear and tear caused by a long train journey.
In this post, we’ll discuss the advantages of massage before and after train travel so you are able to make the most of your train journey. We’ll cover the positive effects massage has on your body, as well as the best types of massage to use before and after train travel. With this information, you’ll be able to make the most of your journey and arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and relaxed.
The Physical and Mental Effects of Train Travel
Train travel can be stressful in many ways. From unfamiliar environments to uncomfortable seating positions, long journeys by train often leave travelers feeling exhausted both mentally and physically. Let’s explore the various physical and mental effects of train travel.
Physical Effects
The physical stress of being confined to your seat throughout the journey can place strain on your muscles, reduce circulation, cause digestion problems, and lead to overall fatigue. Prolonged periods spent sitting can also take their toll on your body with restricted movement leading to stiff muscles, headaches, disrupted digestion, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and more.
Poor posture while seated has a negative impact as it increases pressure on your lumbar discs, making the spine muscles feel stiff. Crossing legs in this position places additional strain on your hip flexors which might cause pain in your lower back as well as tightness in the gluteal region.
Compounding this is the fact that most trains have air conditioning systems running while they are in motion, which can lead to colds or other illnesses. There is also usually a lack of fresh air in these confined spaces, which can lead to headaches or other discomforts caused by low oxygen intake.
Mental Effects
Mentally, train travel can be draining due to the unfamiliar surroundings and lack of stimulation or entertainment. This can lead to anxiety and low moods. Plus, all the physical strain on your body causes a high level of stress which can lead to a variety of ailments during train travel. All these issues can lead to fatigue throughout the trip, as well as post-travel soreness that may last for several days after the journey.
The Benefits of Pre-Train Travel Massage
A massage prior to train travel can be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety levels before a long journey. Not only does massage help to ease tension in the muscles, but it also promotes relaxation and energy levels. Here is how a massage can help you prepare for a long journey:
Lower Stress And Anxiety
Increased stress levels prior to departing on a long train journey are inevitable. Getting a massage before boarding has proven time and time again to be an effective way to lower stress.
It is natural to feel anxious amidst unfamiliar surroundings or disruption. A pre-travel massage encourages relaxation by focusing on pressure points on your body which help remove stiffness and relax your muscles. It leads to better posture allowing for improved breathing and circulation.
With a relaxed mindstate, you arrive at your destination feeling energized rather than drained.
Reduce Physical Strain
Pre-travel massage therapy helps you prepare yourself physically by aiding with better posture or flexibility and improving circulation. It employs certain movements or techniques that boost energy levels, helping you remain focused and alert. So while you are on board a long journey, you don’t experience as much muscle tension or tightness due to a tight seating configuration.
When you are physically prepared for the journey, you maintain a better posture despite the confined quarters. A good posture means your body parts get adequate blood supply, so you feel refreshed rather than stiff despite sitting down for a long period of time. This also means that it is less likely for you to suffer from fatigue or leg cramps, resulting in better overall wellbeing.
Promote Relaxation
A pre-travel massage helps promote relaxation, not only physically through softer muscles, but mentally as well. During the session, you spend some quiet time away from all potential distractions associated with last minute preparations.
For example, undergoing a calming aromatherapy session can help soothe and enhance your senses, bringing you relief from all stress and anxieties related to traveling. It helps improve your concentration levels and energy efficiency, thus preventing any form of lethargy from kicking in during transit.
With improved focus, you won’t be constantly worrying about anything else other than enjoying your experience onboard the train. This ensures better mood and attitude throughout the trip regardless if it is a short or lengthy voyage.
The Benefits of Post Train Travel Massage
The physical effects of sitting down for long periods during train travel are numerous and can include muscle soreness, tightness in joints, circulation problems, poor posture, and poor digestion. To counteract these issues, post-train travel massage can promote recovery in several ways.
Alleviate Physical Discomfort
Human bodies tend to accumulate soreness and stiffness especially when held in the same position for an extended time, such as train travel. Therefore it is important to undergo some sort of healing therapy afterwards.
A post-travel massage helps alleviate discomfort by relieving tightness in the neck, shoulders, and back muscles. Massage therapy after disembarking helps relax tense muscles making them softer and flexible, it also helps stimulate blood flow within areas which helps improve recovery times. With the physical discomfort gone, you’ll be ready once again to enjoy activities you had planned for yourself.
Reduce Muscle Soreness
A full body massage post transit is highly recommended because it flushes out lactic acid accumulated within your muscles. This chemical is the primary cause of fatigue and pain in your muscles. Therefore, eliminating it from your body also rids you of various pains and aches, bringing in immediate relief especially around your feet, legs, neck, and the shoulder region.
Post-travel massage therapy has been known to speed up recovery from muscular soreness caused by prolonged periods of sitting. By relaxing tightened muscles, it allows them to heal faster compared to leaving them unattended.
Promote Stress Relief
Massage after reaching your final destination helps relieve built up of tension both mentally physically. It has a calming effect on both body and mind, which helps you relax after a long journey. Hence, you can easily transition into activities you had planned. If you are interested in reading more about where to travel, here are the most visited tourist attractions of the world.
Massage therapy is associated with physiological changes, such as releasing endorphins (the feel good hormones) which diminish anxiety and depression associated with jet lag due to prolonged traveling. It is also known to boost energy levels, which is crucial since travelers need to remain energetic especially when they arrive at their final destination.
The Different Types of Massages for Train Travel
There is a wide variety of massage techniques that you can avail before or after your train travel. These include aromatherapy massages which focus on relaxation and stress relief, deep tissue massage which relieve tightness in the muscles, and reflexology which helps improve circulation, among others. It is important to consider your individual preferences when selecting the best type of massage for you.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy incorporates essential oils that are applied onto skin using specific techniques. It promotes the blood flow to different parts of the body, creating pleasurable sensations needed to eliminate built-up tensions.
These massages are beneficial prior and post transit since they provide comfort by creating a calm aura that ensures relaxation, both mentally and physically.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage involves rubbing and applying pressure on specific points over your body. It effectively targets any underlying problems present throughout your musculoskeletal structure.
Under continuous stress, tension knots start forming between different muscle groups. They cause pain and make it difficult to move your muscles. This massage technique targets the knots, providing immediate relief. Besides relieving pain, deep tissue massage also enhances flexibility and range motion through better circulation.
Reflexology
Reflexology involves application of pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears. These points, known as reflex points, correspond to different organs and systems in the body. In this massage technique, masseuses knead, squeeze, and rub these points to promote pain relief and relaxation. For example, the reflex points on your feet stimulate the digestive system to ease digestive issues. Getting a reflexology treatment can prove beneficial both prior to and post train travel.
How to Choose the Right Massage for Your Needs
Massage is a very intimate and personal experience. That’s why you should never book a session randomly. It is important to think about your personal preferences and physical conditions for maximum effect.
If you are new to massage therapy, it is best to start with something mild such as aromatherapy or reflexology before moving on to more intense treatments such as deep tissue therapy. But if you are unsure, it’s best to talk to a therapist about what treatment is more suitable for you. The right massage solution meets your individual requirements so that you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed, energized, and ready for the adventure!
It is also important to find a qualified and reliable therapist to conduct your treatment. The best way to get them is to book yourself with a reputable spa or resort, which hire well-trained professional masseuses having capabilities to cater towards a diverse range of clientele. Look for legit certifications obtained from reputable establishments guaranteeing exemplary service.
Conclusion
Massage therapy prepares you for any potential strains caused by rigorous hours of sitting in a tiny confined space. It is also a great way to alleviate any muscular tension or stress that you may have developed during the journey.
These therapies range from aromatherapy to deep tissue stimulation, and reflexology, each possessing unique soothing effects. However, each is designed to calm your body and senses, helping you achieve inner peace and tranquility, which offers numerous benefits before and after train travel. You should carefully weigh the benefits of each treatment against its limitations, and then decide whether it is the right one for you.