Giving yourself
a massage can reduce stress.
Giving yourself a massage is a way to help battle stress and muscle pain accumulating throughout the day. By pressing, rubbing and kneading all of the parts of the body able to be reached, maximum relaxation can occur. Self massaging throughout the day will aid circulation during the work day, especially for jobs that require being in a cubicle for hours on end. Self massage can also save money.
Instructions
1. Encourage leg circulation by making fists and kneading into the thighs and lower legs. Alternate speeds and direction often to work blood vessels open. Focus on sore areas or bruised sections of legs for at least one full minute.
2. While sitting in a chair, bend forward from the waist. Reach back with clenched fists. Use the knuckles to press into the sides of the spine but not into the spine. Make circular movements in small circles, moving up on the spine as high as possible then back down.
3. Press into the heel of your left hand with the right hand's thumb. Use circular motions with the thumb to relax the center of the hand. Switch hands and press into the right hand with the left thumb. Move down to the wrists and alternate rubbing each wrist vigorously for 30 seconds on each wrist.