How Massage Therapy Supports Mental Health and Emotional Overload
Image by Pablo Villegas
When days are heavy, we get good at putting on a mask.
Those around us can’t see the weight we carry. It can be a choice to power through. Or it’s possible you don’t even realize how much you carry… When was the last time you took a moment to slow down and check in with yourself?
You might be moving through the day, doing what needs to be done, but inside, it feels like you’re swimming through fog. Getting out of bed was hard enough. Thinking about making that appointment, showing up, lying on the table… only adds to the to-do list, taking everything in our energy reserves. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Massage therapy may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re feeling emotionally overwhelmed, but it can offer something many of us need on those heavy days: a supportive place to land in your body without having to explain or perform.
A Personal Note
As a massage therapist, I’ve supported many clients through depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD and burnout. I have also been there myself. For me, it felt like swimming up a freezing river. Wanting care but not knowing how to ask for it. What helped me the most wasn’t advice, or even a “solution.” It was someone offering a calm space where I could just be, a space where my body could soften, even when my mind felt stuck between a rollercoaster of emotions and a dense fog.
That’s what I hope to offer you.
How Massage Therapy Can Support When You're Overwhelmed
Massage therapy works with your nervous system. While it does relax muscles, its not the only thing it does. Massage helps by sending messages of safety to your body.
While earlier studies suggested that massage could reduce cortisol (a stress hormone), more recent and comprehensive research shows those effects are unfortunately small or inconsistent. That doesn’t mean massage isn’t helpful; it only means massage’s power lies elsewhere.
What massage can do, reliably, is help your body shift into a calmer state. Through intentional, caring touch, your nervous system gets the signal that it’s safe to let go, at least a little. You might feel your breath slow, your jaw unclench, and your awareness drop back into your body.
Even if your mind still feels heavy, your body begins to remember what calm feels like.
That’s not a fix. But it’s a foothold.
A small reminder that the depression can lighten and we arn’t stuck at the bottom of a well.
You Don’t Have to Hide How You’re Feeling
It’s okay if you arrive low.
It’s okay if you’re quiet.
It’s okay if you don’t want to talk.
It’s also okay if you cry.
As your therapist, I don’t need you to be cheerful or "on." You don’t have to explain what’s going on. You can simply say, “Today’s hard,” and I’ll adjust the session to meet you where you are. That might mean gentler touch, more stillness, or quiet grounding techniques like breath awareness or hand placement over your back or heart.
You can also request silence or ask for check-ins if you’re unsure how your body will respond. You’re in charge.
Wherever you are, I’ve got you.
What You Can Expect (and Ask For)
Massage therapists aren’t counsellors. We don’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Massage supports the body’s capacity to feel safe and grounded. It’s not a substitute for therapy, but it can be a steady companion alongside it. We are trained to work with the body’s stress response.
We know how to create a calm, respectful space and support you without needing words.
Here’s what you can ask for if you're having a rough day:
“Can we keep it quiet today?”
“I don’t want to talk much, but I’d love a gentle session.”
“I’m feeling overwhelmed—can we go slow?”
“Can you help me feel more grounded in my body?”
If you don’t know what you need, that’s okay too. We’ll figure it out together.
A Different Kind of Care
Massage won’t erase depression. It won’t fix grief or instantly lift burnout. But it can give you a moment of peace. A reminder that your body still knows how to breathe. That you are not broken. That even in the fog, you can feel connected, supported, and real.
This kind of care doesn’t ask you to be better. It just offers you space to be.
Ready When You Are
If you're in a hard place and feel like a massage might help, I'm here. You can book a session here.
You're welcome to come in just as you are.
Disclaimer:
Massage therapy is not a replacement for mental health treatment or counselling. If you're struggling with persistent depression or suicidal thoughts, I encourage you to seek support from a licensed mental health professional. Massage can be a helpful companion to that care.
References:
Moyer, C.A., Rounds, J., & Hannum, J.W. (2004). "A meta-analysis of massage therapy research." Psychological Bulletin, 130(1), 3–18.
Jänig, W., & Häbler, H.J. (2000). "Neurophysiological analysis of massage effects: lack of significant cortisol decrease." Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 48(4–5), 405–410.
Morey, L.C., & Bieliauskas, L.A. (2011). "Massage therapy effects on cortisol: a meta-analysis." International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 4(3), 36–45.
Australian Massage Therapists Blog. (2019). "Mythbusting: Massage Reduces Cortisol."