6 self-massage techniques that will have a great effect on your body and mind

Self-massage techniques how do you do it

A massage in our massage studio, your own hotel room, apartment, or house in Tamarindo is out of the question. But everyone could use some relaxation. Don’t worry, you can do it yourself.

Yes, for sure why can’t you massage yourself? Just try it, follow your feeling and do what feels right.  Find a quiet place in your house and put some relaxing music on.  Do not eat too much in advance. By not eating in front you will prevent your belly from feeling uncomfortable while you do your self-massaging.  Use massage oil to make your skin smoother. The oil also makes the movements of the hands easier. Preferably choose a natural oil, such as calendula, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. You do not have massage oil in your house? No problem, massaging with sunflower or coconut oil from the kitchen cupboard is also fine.

There are so many ways to massage; follow your feelings and do what feels right. However, always massage along with the direction of the blood circulation to the heart. Do not massage sensitive areas: avoid pressure on injuries or varicose veins. Drink plenty of water or herbal tea afterward. This promotes the elimination of waste products.

Stress? Try this self-massage technique for stress

Are there Family worries, health problems, or do you have simply too much on your mind? There are numerous reasons to stress out. When we suffer from stress, our body’s accelerator pedal is, as it were, continuously pressed. Due to the excess of stress hormones in the body, the muscles are tightened more than normal and can feel painful. A knocking massage can help you out! You can knock out the stress.

A list of instructions for anti-stress massage

• Start by patting the top of your head with your fingertips.
• Smooth your forehead, and twist the fingers around your temples.
• Gently squeeze your eyebrows.
• Rub your cheeks
• Pull your ears in all directions.
• Gently squeeze your jawline.
• Turn the head left and right.
• For the rest of your body, you can choose how intensively you prefer your own massage.

How does this anti-stress self-massage technique work?

Start by patting the top of your head with your fingertips, smooth your forehead, and twist the fingers around your temples. Gently squeeze your eyebrows, rub your cheeks and pull your ears in all directions. Also, gently squeeze the jawline and turn the head left and right.

For the rest of your body, you can choose how intensively you prefer your own massage. For a light massage, you use the fingertips. Do you want more pressure? Tap with your hand (the palm-shaped like a bowl) or with your fists for the most pressure. Also, you can continue by tapping your shoulders, pectoral muscles, and the inside and outside of your arms. Do not forget to tap your belly and the inside and outside of your legs up to the buttocks.

Self-massage for your legs (calves)

A firm walk on the beach or an intensive activity such as surfing is often accompanied by the necessary muscle pain afterward. The minor damage to the muscle tissue and serious overexertion also results in the release of substances that cause an inflammatory reaction. As we all know, this can’t hurt; the muscle heals by itself, but it can be quite annoying. Massaging the overstrained muscle will stimulate healing. The calves are a notorious place for muscle pain.

Let’s massage our calves:

Sit on the edge of your bed or sofa and put a chair in front of you. Put one leg on the chair and start kneading the calf muscle. Massage the calf from bottom to top while applying light pressure with your fingers. If you want to massage a little harder, knead the muscles with your whole hand.
Another method is to use a massage ball (this can also be a tennis ball): Sit down on the floor and put the ball under your calf. Tilt your leg outwards by 45 degrees and roll the ball several times over the full length of the calf muscle from bottom to top and back again.

Headaches? Try this Head massage technique

Headaches are a common and annoying complaint: no less than 96 percent of the people sometimes have pain in their heads. A self-massage technique special for your head can help alleviate it.  You start by rubbing your hands warm. Put the palms of your hands over your eyes and let the eyelids relax.

Then massage the crown of your head. Move your fingers in small twists over the scalp as if you were washing your hair. Also, massage your temples gently in this way. Then place your fingers of both your hands in the middle of your forehead and move towards the side of your head in gentle strokes. Repeat this a number of times.

Do the same from your nose to your temples and from above and below the mouth to the side of your face. Also massage the outer rim of your ears, from top to bottom, and gently shake your earlobes. Finally, place your hands on the head with your thumbs against the edge of your skull. Gently press with your thumbs all over the edge of your skull or twist circles with your thumb.

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Suffering from the buildup of fluid (congestion)? The dry brushing self-massage technique can help

Edema is an accumulation of fluid in the body. If your lymph nodes do not work or are not optimally, your lymph fluid does not flow through properly. Tight clothing, too long sitting or standing, or hot weather can cause edema. Often your forearms or ankles are swollen. Dry brushing is a technique whereby you brush the skin in order to move the lymphatic fluid. An additional advantage: your skin will shine beautifully because by brushing your old skin cells are removed.

For this technique you preferably use a brush of natural material, these are for sale at the drugstores in Tamarindo and its surrounding. The brush should be stiff, but not so hard that you damage the skin. You start with your feet. Brush up with firm movements. Continue brushing your hands and arms. Also brush your belly, buttocks, back, and shoulders. For the neck and face, you can use a softer brush.

Important note: in case of edemas complaints due to cancer, it is wise to consult a doctor or specialized edema therapist before you start massaging or brushing.