People often imagine a massage therapist’s life as one endless loop of peaceful music, herbal tea, and relaxed energy. While there’s some truth to that, let me offer you the full picture.

At Hagens Massage, my days are filled with mostly 90-minute deep tissue sessions that require full-body effort, not just from my hands, but from posture, breath, and body weight, all working in harmony. 

So what happens after the massage table is cleared and the oils are wiped away? Here's a little behind-the-scenes look at the life of a masseur—complete with rowing sessions, cold showers, recovery routines, and of course... a family that’s very comfortable requesting massages during odd hours.

Strong Back, Strong Hands (And a Rowing Machine)

To keep up with the daily physical demands, I head to the gym regularly—not for beach muscles, but for back-focused training. I row. A lot. It keeps my posture solid and my upper body ready for another day of deep tissue work. Rowing is my go-to because it strengthens all the right places without overloading the hands.

Low-Tech Hand and Arm Care

Let’s be honest—I don’t have a fancy setup at home. No foam rollers. No massage guns. No giant gym balls. Just me, some massage oil, and my two elbows (which can be surprisingly useful).

After a long day, I self-massage my arms and forearms—usually while standing in the kitchen or on the floor while playing with my kids, while watching a movie or while chatting on a dinner table — wherever I can, actually . If I can’t reach a certain spot, I kindly ask someone (Husband: "Who's someone?"  ) to follow my instructions: “Nope, not there—there. Press harder. Wait. Not like that.” It’s teamwork. Kind of.

Gardening, Podcasts & Zoning Out (a.k.a. My Kind of Meditation)

When I’m not massaging, stretching, rowing, or reading, you’ll often find me in the garden—with dirt under my nails and a podcast in my ears. There’s something deeply calming about pulling weeds, trimming herbs, or planting something new while listening to stories, interviews, or even a bit of nerdy tech talk.

It’s my version of working meditation—gentle movement, nature, and just enough distraction to let my thoughts wander freely. The garden doesn’t ask for perfect posture or pressure control. It just lets me be—and I always come back from it a little more grounded, a little more ready to give again. Well, you can see my chaotic gardening displaying in full when you come and visit Hagens Massage.

Cold Showers & Sauna Breaks

When I can, I fit in some sauna-cold shower cycles. It’s the kind of thing that sounds luxurious but honestly feels like survival training in Sweden. Still, the hot-cold contrast is brilliant for recovery—physically and mentally. Good thing, I am used to do this in Finland. So, this is like a memory trip. 

Math Time: What My Body Does Each Day

I’ve set a clear limit for myself: an absolute maximum of 5 hours and 30 min of active massage work per day. That’s my boundary—not just for comfort, but for long-term sustainability. From August onward, I’ve adjusted my prices to reflect the intensity and presence required in every session. There are no coffee breaks in the middle of a massage, no zoning out. It’s constant, focused, full-body effort—applying pressure with care, using my entire body to protect my hands through body weight transference, and staying present every single second. If I pause for even 10 seconds, clients notice—and that says a lot about the kind of work I do. This isn’t light, casual touch; it’s deep, precise, and intentional from start to finish. And that’s exactly why strength, mobility, and recovery aren’t optional for me—they’re what keep this work possible and sustainable.

The Unsung Work: My Freeloaders at Home

Here’s something you don’t see on Bokadirekt: the late evening or even midnight massages time slots for my kids’ growing pains or my husband’s stiff neck or headache. I can’t count the times I’ve crawled out of bed to help someone sleep better. It’s part of the calling, I guess. When you're a massage therapist, people (especially family) tend to think your hands are always “on call.”

And I do it. Because I care. But I also sometimes tease them for being my unofficial, unpaid clients. My beloved freeloaders.

The Light at the End: A Month in the Countryside

In just two weeks, I’m off for a month-long break in the countryside. That means:

  Daily sunshine
  Wild swimming
  No light pollution
  Peace, quiet, and birdsong
  Simple life, slow days, and lots of outdoor naps

It’s my full-body reset—rest for my hands, mind, and spirit. After giving so much, I get to receive. And I promise, when I return, I’ll bring that grounded, sunny energy right back into the studio.

Why This All Matters for You

I share all this because I want you to know that every massage you receive from me is backed by intention, preparation, and care—not just in the treatment room, but in how I live. Keeping my body healthy and hands strong means I can show up for you fully, session after session.

So next time you're melting into the table, just know:
These hands row, stretch, plunge into cold water, sneak in self-massage between laundry loads, and soothe small children before bedtime.

And they still love what they do.

See you on the table soon—unless I’m in the lake or sea. ☀️
And yes, I’ll be back soon. Recharged, refocused, and ready. And a little bit darker.