Self Love With Self Massage

Self Massage - A convenient way to keep tension and discomfort at bay.

Touch, what an essential and intimate feeling at the same time! We cannot deny the importance of touch in our day to day lives. In fact, a wide array of living organisms — from micro worms to humans — have shown growth, improvement and development with touch. It has also proven to reduce stress, improve digestion, enhance sleep and strengthen the immune system.

And still, since last year all of us have been repeatedly cautioned from touching anything / anyone altogether. Of course, there is no denying why this is mandatory, but our bodies do crave for touch. While we still wait to get a go ahead with the handshakes and hugs, we surely can treat touch deprivation. We can sing and dance, workout regularly, indulge in self pleasure, make some fun DIY personal care masks or opt for a simple and effective self massage routine.

I am sure so many of us had been regulars with our Spa Days or masseuse-at-home but ever since the pandemic hit, it all went for a toss. The primary action of the entire massaging activity is touch, which is what the world has been warned against. But the entire process and power of a massage is to touch and to heal at the same time. And while touch is a physical state, healing is a mental state. And as the world cripples and rises, and cripples and rises again, we need to be more responsible for our healing process. Hasn't this been the primary learning from the pandemic?

I had been stuck in the contemplation stage for the longest time on how to start my personal massage sessions. And as I have became more and more active with this, I decided to share the 3 Steps that helped me get past the contemplation and move towards my very own Self Massage Routine:

1. You don't need rolling pins and exotic oils to force your muscles to relax, it all happens when the brain decides to let go - and with less physical pressure. Excess pressure contracts the muscles, thus making the massage hard to enjoy and to experience genuine relief. Since the muscles are already tight due to anxiety and stress, the added external pressure only makes matters worse.

2. During the massage, it is imperative to create the right environment at home. I ensure that my room gives me major relaxation and rejuvenation vibes with dim lights, fragrant candles, calming playlists, the perfect soft pillow, a drop or two of my favorite essential oil (lavender or tea tree for me) mixed with a body oil (coconut/ castor/ argon/ olive/ jojoba/ any other) and some fresh flowers from my garden. After all, smell is a powerful sense!

3. In case you do not know where to begin, do not overthink; just start where the muscles feel tired. That is the best part of a self massage routine because there are just no rules!

From the scalp and roots to the sole of the feet, each part of the body deserves to be taken care of. But due to the sedentary lifestyle and the WFH situation, most of us end our days with sore muscles, back pains, headaches and stiff necks. Here is a guide to develop a little self massage routine each day to ensure a healthy lifestyle:

I. Head: This comprises Face and Scalp Massages.

* Face - Use the tiniest bit of oil in upward sweeping motion, without dragging the skin. Use fingers for the cheeks and palms for the neck, moving them in circles. Finally, take it to the forehead and push it to the sides. For a more specific massage, apply pressure along the eyebrows and use the third finger under the eyes.

These movements relieve stress and tension, lift the overall texture of the skin and make it more firm. This may also help with migraines and headaches. Some popular tools that can be used on the face include Gua sha, jade rollers and derma rollers.

* Scalp - The best technique to release tension and enhance circulation is to support one side of the head using your hand, and run your nails (gently, then vigorously) on the other side of the scalp. Once this is done, gently massage the scalp with slow movements and you're done.

TIP: While massaging your scalp, do not forget your ears!

II. Upper Limbs: This comprises Arms, Hands, Shoulders and Neck Massages.

* Shoulders and Neck - They are the most commonly irritated body parts due to our poor posture. Stress is often stored in these areas, leading to pain and tension. You can use your fingers to hold your shoulder muscles and roll over it, while bending your face in the opposite direction.

* Arms - For forearm relaxation, use the opposite palm to stroke upwards from the wrist to the elbow. The strokes should be in circles or sweeps. For the upper arm / bicep region, grab it with the opposite hand and perform the same motion, moving upwards to the shoulders.

* Hands - To treat the hands, use the opposite thumb to make circles / sweeps on the palm and on top of the hand. Gently massage each finger and intertwine them to let the energy soak in.

III. Trunk: This comprises Stomach and Back Massages.

* Stomach - Often an ignored part of the body when it comes to relaxation, massaging the abdomen can help reduce bloating and encourage finer waste disposal. Gently stroke the stomach from side to side, followed by gentle pinching on the sides using whole hands. Finally, stroke the area up, across and down.

* Back - This is often a tricky area for self massage because of the obvious out-of-reach position. To address and ease back pain, a wonderful idea is to use a tennis ball. You can place the ball on the floor and roll your body weight over it. For a softer massage, place the ball on a couch. I have personally used this technique against the wall, and it works like magic!

IV. Lower Limbs: This comprises Legs and Feet Massages.

* Feet - Our feet consist of several pressure points to relax our body and mind. Sit in the butterfly pose and use your thumbs to gently press the hollow area of your feet. Press, hold, breathe and repeat the process.

* Legs - To massage the legs after a long day, use both hands to perform strokes from the ankles to the thighs, covering the calf. On the thighs, grab the skin and perform slight circular movements to release tension and deposit fat.

While self massage does not claim to cure your illnesses, it is one of the most important things we can do for our own body. Rather than going for full body treatments regularly, aim for shorter and more targeted sessions of self massage, especially after long days. They are extremely effective and a simple process to relieve pain and offer relaxation, without tiring yourself. If you are looking at healing, rejuvenation and connecting with your innermost self, then self massage is a great method to channelize this (in a socially distanced way too!)

PS. Most of the tips and techniques mentioned above are post consultation with my dermatologist and yoga trainer. While they work best for me, they may not for you. Please consult your trainers and doctors before trying.

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So how do you like the idea of a self massage? Do you know where you hold the most tension in your body? Give self-massage a try using the above techniques, and let me know how it goes in the comments below!

Xx, AG