Self-Massage Relieves Tension in Mind and Body

Mind-Body-Spirit News:

For a quick stress-buster and boost to the immune system, try self- massage. Benefits of self-massage include the fact that you possess your own equipment, you can do it wherever and whenever you want, and you don’t need to hire a professional therapist.

Here are some examples of self-massage techniques from the June Mayo Clinic Health Letter:

Wash Your Face. Start by rubbing your hands together quickly until they are warmed by friction. Place the palms on the forehead and, pressing into your face, pull your hands down until your fingertips touch your chin. Circle your hands around your face a couple of times as if washing it.

Palm Your Eyes. Rub your hands together and cover your eyes with your warm palms. Hold for about 30 seconds with your eyes open to receive the warmth of your hands.

Rub Your Ears. Use the thumb and index finger on each hand to gently rub your outer ears until they are warm. Lightly pinch and press the whole ear.

Massage Your Shoulders. Starting with one side, reach back to your shoulder and neck with one hand and press and knead the muscles in that area. Repeat on the other side.

Shirley Archer, JD, MA

IDEA Author/Presenter

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Shirley Archer, JD, MA, was the 2008 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year and is IDEA’s mind-bo... moreShirley Archer, JD, MA, was the 2008 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year and is IDEA’s mind-body-spirit spokesperson. She is a certified yoga and Pilates teacher and an award-winning author based in Palm Beach, Florida, and Zurich, Switzerland. Two of her books, The Walking Deck and The Strength and Toning Deck, are now featured as iPhone apps. Contact her at www.shirleyarcher.com. less

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