It’s Therapy And TLC: Try This Full-Body Self-Massage
Our skin releases an abundance of healing chemicals when it is therapeutically touched or massaged. These beneficial compounds improve circulation, strengthen the immune system, calm the mind, detoxify our body’s tissues, and slow the aging process.
Although it feels wonderful to be given a massage, we can perform a self-massage that invigorates the body and increases our sense of well-being. It does not require much time and can easily be done before or after our regular shower or bath. A self-massage is especially enjoyable when an aromatherapy massage oil is used.
A Therapeutic Self-Massage
Even if you are struggling with an eating disorder, you can give your body some much needed TLC by performing a regular self-massage. The following full-body massage steps are recommended by the Chopra Center (chopra.com).
- Warm the massage oil by running hot water over the bottle.
- Vigorously work about one tablespoon of the warmed oil into your scalp. Use your fingertips to massage the scalp using small circular motions.
- Lighten your touch and use your fingers to gently massage your face and ears.
- Using an open hand, rub the back and front of your neck.
- Vigorously massage the arms. At your shoulders and elbows, use a circular motion. On the forearms and upper arms, rub with a back-and-forth motion.
- Use gentle circular movements to massage the chest and stomach. Over the breastbone, apply a straight upwards and downwards motion.
- Apply some oil to both hands. Without straining, massage the reachable areas of your back and spine.
- Massage your legs vigorously. At your knees and ankles use circular motions. Over the long areas of your legs, use back-and-forth or up-and-down movements.
- If you can, spend plenty of time massaging your feet. Rub over the soles vigorously – back and forth – using an open hand. You can also massage the soles by using circular motions with your thumbs.
Leaving a very thin film of oil over the skin can be beneficial for skin tone, and it also helps warm our muscles during the day. If you are not comfortable with this, bathe or shower after the massage.
Caution: Be sure to use a high quality massage oil from a reputable company. Test the oil on a small area of your skin before applying it over your body. Check the ingredients for any substance(s) to which you might be allergic, such as nut oils. If you have any skin conditions, check with your doctor before applying oils.
Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.