What if I could tell you that you are already doing things that could reduce stress and you just don’t know it? And what if I told you that everyday you are receiving a wonderful loving massage, but you keep MISSING it? It’s true. Really!
I guarantee that you are already receiving a daily massage, but you are missing it. Here is how: It is as simple as washing your face, shampooing your hair, and applying moisturizer. OK, maybe everyone isn’t applying moisturizer, but you should be… (Did you know that you skin is the largest organ in your body? Why wouldn’t you be taking care of it?)
Suspend your disbelief and skepticism until you have done what I am suggesting for a few days. It can take as little as five extra minutes, but you will probably enjoy it so much that you will want to invest a couple more.
What I am suggesting is to simply become mindful of your own body when you do these things and to embody your inner healer.
Often times clients will tell us that some of their favorite parts of a massage involve their scalp and face. However, the question is always asked about what makes a great massage. While everyone has their own favorites about pressure and technique, the true difference between a good massage and a GREAT massage is the massage therapists ability to be mindful in the way that they administer touch and the clients mindfulness in their ability to receive touch.
Here is What to Try, in Any Order:
- Wash Your Face for One Extra Minute. This is your own at home facial treatment, so using some sort of facial cleanser (I recommend something that smells wonderful so that you can have aromatherapy too, but that’s just a bonus,) allow your hands to move slowly around your face. Don’t just rub your hands quickly over your face to get the job done, move slowly focusing first on your forehead, then your nose, then your cheeks, then your jaw (especially for all of us teeth grinders) and chin, until you have touched every inch of your face. Try gentle circular motions on your face and take some time to apply slow sustained pressure to your sinus areas and jaw muscles.
- Shampoo Your Hair for One Extra Minute. Don’t you love having your hair washed at the salon? Think about how slowly your stylist massages your scalp, not just cleaning your hair, but spending time at your scalp massaging and increasing circulation. Plant you fingertips on your scalp and squeeze, move in slow focused circles, and again, cover every inch of your scalp. Rinse and repeat if you so desire.
- Apply Moisturizer for Three Extra Minutes. Really it can be done in as little as three minutes. Take time to moisturize your full body following your shower or bath. Don’t think of it as “applying moisturizer,” but rather think of it as a mini daily massage. Pay attention to what is under the skin. Squeeze your muscles and bones; bring circulation to your organs.
Keep in Mind:
- Always massage towards the heart
- When massaging your belly, massage in a clockwise direction. Imagine that your pubic bone is 12:00 and your breast bone is 6:00.
- Pay attention to what feels best to you: Are your legs tired? Your feet? How about your shoulders? With each touch, acknowledge your body for all that is happening under its skin.
Remember: Be MINDFUL in your touch. Touch with purpose and the intention of relaxation. Don’t you deserve to pay attention to yourself? If you won’t, who will?