You step off the plane and immediately feel relief: no more stuffy cabin air, no more squeezing your knees up to your chest so you can fit your carry on beneath the seat in front of you, no more listening to the coughing and sneezing of the sick person sitting next to you, taking the coveted window seat. You’re free.
And yet…
Now you have to look forward to the torture of finding your baggage, getting food, picking up a rental car, taking the subway, or whichever other mode of transportation you’ve chosen to get to your destination, be it home or in a hotel. To put it plainly, you might be in for a long night – and that’s assuming that everything goes without glitches.
And then you see a glowing neon sign as you rush through the terminal: “Express Spa and Massage.” If you’re not tempted to go in, then you should be. Because an airport massage might just be the best decision you’ve made on your trip.
Many people don’t even think twice about it, but a massage is a great way to reset your mood, relax you, and get you ready for whatever you have ahead of you. So stay tuned – we’re about to tell you all the reasons why you should get an airport massage after your flight.
Top Reasons to Get a Massage at an Airport
- Reset your mood.
Flying has a nasty habit of making people feel cranky, angry, stressed, anxious, or virtually any other negative emotion imaginable. Put all those emotions behind you and go get a relaxing massage at the airport. You’ll turn a new page, feel refreshed, and be in a much better place to tackle the other stresses that come your way during travel.
- Relax your body and mind.
Are you busy thinking about your upcoming presentation? Are you interviewing for a new job in a new city? Maybe you’ve travelled halfway around the world and it’s your first time out of the country? Forget about all that. Just get a massage, chill out, and take those stressors one step at a time.
- Relieve some stress.
Regardless of where you’re getting a massage, you can’t deny it’s stress-relieving benefits. Research even shows that following a massage, your cortisol (also called the “stress hormone”) levels decrease and your serotonin and dopamine (the neurotransmitters that make you feel good when you kiss someone) levels increase. If science doesn’t convince you to get an airport massage, we’re not sure what else will.
- Take some “me” time.
A massage is the ultimate self-pampering treatment. The nice thing about a massage is you can use that time to relax, evaluate your upcoming tasks, tune out, fall asleep, or even meditate and focus on positive thinking. Many airport massages also offer manicures, pedicures, and other services that will leave you feeling wonderful.
- Focus on the present.
A massage is a great way to reduce your anxiety, alleviate depression, and help you to focus on the here and now rather than worrying about whatever corporate meeting you have later that day or the next. By emphasizing the present and remaining in the moment, you’re allowing yourself time to relax and mentally prep for your upcoming engagements.
- Pass time during a delayed flight.
Delayed flights suck. There’s no way around it. However, they’ll definitely suck a little less if you use that time to your advantage. Forget stopping at Burger King and drowning your misery in a diet soda; instead, go to a masseuse and get a long-overdue airport massage. Trust us.
- Boost your confidence.
If you feel better physically, it will show outwardly as well as inwardly. The better you feel, the better you project yourself, and the more confident you will feel and appear to potential clients, colleagues, or corporate faculty at whatever upcoming business meetings you have to attend during your trip.
Airport Massage – Yay or Nay?
We are definite proponents of getting massages in airports. They’re a great way to kill time, and in the end will provide you with a host of benefits that are well worth the added time and cost to your trip. Don’t underestimate the importance of approaching stressful situations with a good mood! We’re confident that once you try one airport massage, you’ll find a way to factor it into all of your business travels – and even your regular family vacations!