This post was sponsored by Massage Envy as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.

When I first met John about 12 years ago he had never had a massage. Not even once. Mr. Skeptic! To him, getting a massage was some sort of strange luxury that only people with loads of disposable income enjoyed on holiday at a fancy resort or day spa. Yet, he continually suffered from all kinds of terrible back pain on a very regular basis. I encouraged him to try it out (because I was already getting them as part of my regular self care) and he fell in love. 

I guess I started getting massages in my early 20’s when I moved to Los Angeles from my home state of Florida. It was a bit more progressive there, and back in the 90’s when I was single with no kids, and actually had more time to take care of me, I had massages often. I too lived with back pain from a herniated disk from high school. But I also suffered from depression and anxiety, and I learned that things like massage and acupuncture were really good to relieve both my physical and emotional symptoms. They were just good for me all around.

When we moved to the Seattle area back in 2005 I actually joined Massage Envy to keep up with my regular “tune-ups” because total body care was and is important to me. Taking care of me is an integral part of my wellness, and that includes pausing from my daily routine once in a while to get a massage. Life can just be tough on the body, even if you don’t have an injury.

John actually gets regular massages now and he would not live without them. When I think about what a skeptic he was way back when it makes me laugh. Every time I see that massage appointment on the family calendar, I always bug him. “Must be nice!” but honestly I know how important they’ve become to his wellness and I do not begrudge him AT ALL.

I get them too, just not quite as often. As I’m sure you know, it’s never easy to make enough time when you’ve got kids and work from home. But now it’s more important than ever because being a parent takes its toll! Let me tell you, lifting giant kiddos does no good for this back and body.

Massages are great self care just because … because all of life’s everyday activities affect our wellness, from sitting behind the computer all day to to raking the leaves or shoveling the snow to the regular exercise routine. Even traveling for the holidays with the family can take a huge toll on our bodies. Just look at John hunched over, working on the computer in a tiny little airplane seat squished between the kids. Ugh. Definitely ready for a massage after that!

Because treating your body well shouldn’t be a luxury, Massage Envy–a leader in providing accessible massage and skin care services–is here to help you manage the everyday and just feel better. They have locations all over the US.