Love a good massage that stretches on for hours? It's luxurious, but research shows you don't need that much time to achieve deep relaxation.
A study from the University of Konstanz in Germany reveals that just 10 minutes of massage is enough to calm your nervous system effectively.
Read also: 'This is why a massage is so good for you'
Researchers divided 60 women into three groups. One group massaged their head and neck. Another gently massaged their shoulders and neck. The third group simply sat in silence without any massage.
Relaxation levels were measured through heart rate and heart rate variability.
Remarkably, all three groups showed significant relaxation after only 10 minutes. The self-massage groups experienced even greater benefits than the silent group.
Lead researcher Maria Meier notes that while a spa visit is a wonderful treat, it's not essential for full relaxation. A gentle shoulder rub from someone else—or even lying in bed—can be just as effective.
No one available to help? No problem. These massage devices make it easy to unwind solo:
