Did you know that getting a tattoo can actually reduce stress? While tattoos are often associated with stress and pain, science suggests they can have the opposite effect on your body. If you can endure a bit of pain during the process, getting a tattoo could be a wonderful long-term investment that lowers your stress levels and increases your sense of well-being. Here's why.
For centuries, people have sought various ways to relieve stress, leading to numerous therapies like acupuncture, exercise, and mental health management. Tattoos have been a renowned form of self-expression for many years, but they also help keep the body healthy and safe from microbes and stress, and can even alleviate tension.
Let's take a look at each approach.
Therapeutic Effects
Evidence from human fossils (mummies) shows tattoos inscribed on parts corresponding to acupuncture points used in Eastern medicine. Acupuncture remains popular worldwide today because it helps treat several ailments, including arthritis. In fact, the roots of needle therapy lie in tattooing. Even today, there are cultures that use medicinal tattoos to treat illnesses. Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,000-year-old mummy, the oldest known, also had tattoos along acupuncture meridians. Tattoos on injured areas or arthritic joints helped alleviate pain and body tension.
Improved Immunity
According to a study published in the "American Journal of Human Biology," when a person gets a tattoo, the body's immune system sends antibodies to fight the foreign substance injected into the body, resulting in slight swelling and scab formation in that area. It appears that getting tattoos continuously leads to the production of antibodies to combat foreign substances, ultimately improving immunity.
Reduced Cortisol Levels
The same study mentioned earlier revealed that during a tattooing session, the amount of cortisol, a stress-reducing hormone and immune response suppressor, decreases. Cortisol is secreted when the needle pierces the skin and causes pain in the area, but its secretion decreases with subsequent tattoos, thereby suppressing its release in actual stressful situations.
This research finding is very beneficial, as this hormone causes many symptoms typically associated with stress, such as headaches, high blood pressure, and weight gain.
Concealing Body Flaws
Many people feel ashamed or stressed about their scars, birthmarks, or stretch marks. Tattoos are sometimes chosen as an option to conceal them. This is commonly seen in cancer patients or individuals who have engaged in self-harm, signifying their acceptance of the past and readiness to move forward. Getting a tattoo can have a positive psychological impact, serving as a catalyst for mental and physical well-being.
Euphoria
While the tattooing process is painful for many, humans can counteract pain by releasing endorphins and adrenaline, creating a natural "high" and a feeling of euphoria. This is why many people don't stop at just one tattoo; they often find themselves getting one or two more.
Boosting Confidence
Tattoos are the ultimate form of self-expression. They openly display a person's individuality and preferences, like an open book. For those who have experienced unfortunate times, a tattoo can symbolize what they've endured and how they've faced those circumstances. According to one study, a large majority of people who get tattoos report a long-term increase in self-esteem.
Summary
Getting a tattoo can indeed reduce your stress levels, and in the long run, it might have a positive impact on both your mind and body. Of course, prejudice against tattoos still exists. However, it's also true that many people have found salvation and increased confidence through tattoos. Please keep in mind the benefits mentioned here.
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Reference
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