There is a lot of focus placed on physical self-care, for some obvious reasons, in the massage therapy profession. More recently, however, the fundamental necessity of taking care of our emotional and mental health is getting more attention, and with good reason.

When we are not tuned into our emotional and mental health—and taking proactive measures to care for both—being able to adapt to the stress and challenges we all face at times is nearly impossible. For massage therapists, that might also mean missing the signs of burnout that, when left unattended to, can be as serious and potentially career-ending as physical injury.

Especially in a profession like massage therapy, where massage therapists are often described as empaths who work to help others find relief from their own acute and chronic issues, being able to honestly assess your own emotional health and take action to correct any deficits is important.