Massage + Mood: A Natural Approach to Emotional Wellness

christinaallen28
4 days ago
3 min read

We often think of massage as a way to relax tight muscles, relieve pain, or just a way to treat ourselves. But the truth is, massage is just as effective for our emotional well-being as it is for our bodies.

In my own journey, I’ve come to see massage as a kind of medicine—not just for sorness or tension, but for stress, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion.

I’ve built a natural wellness “toolbox” that includes different practices and rituals to help keep me grounded and balanced. Being both a mom and an entrepreneur comes with its own set of nonstop demands—and in order to show up as my best self, with the energy and emotional intelligence needed to navigate both roles as gracefully as possible, I’ve learned I have to actively manage my wellness. Massage and spa therapies are some of the most effective tools I have.

At Citron, we approach massage through a holistic lens—understanding that when we nurture the nervous system, we also nurture the heart, mind, and emotional body.

The Mind-Body Connection

When we’re stressed, anxious, or emotionally stretched thin, our bodies feel it in our tight shoulders, clenched jaws, and shallow breathing.

Massage works by activating the parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s natural rest-and-repair mode. This doesn’t just feel good—it’s biologically restorative.

Massage can help:

Lower cortisol (your primary stress hormone)
Boost serotonin and dopamine (your feel-good neurotransmitters)
Calm the fight-or-flight response
Support more restful sleep and emotional balance

Nurturing Touch Heals More Than We Realize

Intentional, nurturing human touch helps us feel grounded, connected, and soothed on a deep level. For those of us who give endlessly to others, it’s a powerful reminder of the healing that comes from receiving too.

That’s why our massage rituals at Citron are designed to be nurturing, not just corrective. We incorporate calming aromatherapy, hot stones, steamed towels, slow rhythmic pressure, and space for deep relaxation—creating an experience that helps your nervous system rest and restore.

Emotional wellness has always been one of the biggest reasons for what I do. It’s even more important to me than external results, though I absolutely believe that when you feel good about how you look, you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

But I’ve been through seasons when my emotional wellness was a little fragile—and I know how that ripple can affect every part of your life. That’s why I have such a deep appreciation for what it means to feel well emotionally.

Massage as Emotional Self-Care

When your mood feels heavy, your patience is thin, or your joy feels harder to reach—what if instead of pushing through, you paused and offered your body and mind the care it was asking for?

Massage invites you to slow down, reflect inward, and support yourself with compassion.

Some of our favorite emotional wellness rituals include:

A 90-minute Citron Signature Massage with essential oils like bergamot, lavender, or frankincense
A Revitalizing Foot Ritual for grounding and emotional release
A facial massage to stimulate lymph flow and relieve emotional stagnation
A massage + infrared sauna combo session for a full nervous system reset