Massages can relax your muscles, relieve stress, and boost your energy, but you don’t need a professional masseuse to reap its benefits.
Self-massage: Give tired eyes some heat therapy
Self-massage: Use a tennis ball to relieve tension
For tense feet, place the arch of your foot on a tennis ball (or golf ball if that seems too big), leaning one hand against a wall for support. Gradually put more body weight on the foot as the ball presses into your arch. Slowly move your foot around to target your heel, forefoot and toes. A tennis ball can also relieve tight hips. Sit on the ball, then wiggle your backside around and hold it still on areas that feel especially good. Plus, you can use a tennis ball to reach the space between your shoulder blades or in your lower back. Lie on the floor with the ball under spots that are hard to reach with your hands. Here's more about the health benefits of massage, and here are more brilliant ways to use tennis balls.
Self-massage: Give your neck a break
Every hour, give your body some relief from hunching over your computer at work. Clasp your hands together behind your neck, and apply pressure to each side of your spinal cord with the bottom of your palms. Rub up and down slowly. Then press into the trapezius muscle along the left side of your neck just under the base of your skull using the fingers on your right hand. Tilt your head to the left, then rub in downward motions, working your way to your shoulder. Repeat three times, then switch sides. The front of your neck can also get tight while you work, so finish by stretching it out. Lay your head back to allow the top of your chair to press into your neck, just below the skull, and hold it there for 20 seconds. These are other ways to recover from sitting too much.
Self-massage: Hammer out kinks twice a day
Starting with your legs and arms, gently thump your body from top to bottom with your fists. Then pummel your torso from bottom to top. Using this technique in the morning will wake up your body and mind, while doing it in the evening beats out tension and stress, leaving your mind calm. One caveat: Avoid using this technique if you’re on a blood thinner or you could end up with bruises.
Self-massage: Massage your calves after wearing heels
Walking in heels all day can shorten your calf muscles over time, so give them some release with a good rubdown. Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and then clench your ankle with your thumb placed just over the Achilles tendon. Moving an inch at a time, work your way up your calf, adding pressure and releasing until you reach your knee. Repeat on the other leg.
Self-massage: Rub your belly after eating
Help stimulate digestion by rubbing your tummy after a meal. Using one or both palms, rub your abdomen in clockwise circles—the same direction that your food moves through your intestine. Here are more home remedies for an upset stomach.
Self-massage: Massage yourself pre- and post-workout
Massages increase blood flow to your muscles, which can be helpful before cardio, strength training, or stretches. Thump your legs and arms with your fists before exercising to encourage blood flow to those areas. A post-workout rubdown can help speed muscle recovery. Using your fist or palm, rub your muscles toward your heart after a sweat session to reap the benefits.