Know Someone Who Is Stressed and Exhausted? These 5 Massage Techniques Are Exactly What They Need

Stress and the exhausting conditions are very common conditions in nowadays, and they can be caused for plenty of reasons. It happens when someone is in danger, whether it’s real or imagined, as a response to protecting the body. At some point it has a positive impact, as the body’s “stress response” helps to stay focused, energetic, and alert, which in some emergency situations can save lives, giving people extra strength to defend themselves. It can also help people to meet challenges, sharpening their concentration in some intellectual work, or driving them to study for an exam.

Nevertheless, beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and causes major damage to people’s health, mood, relationships, productivity, and the overall quality of life.

Here are some health problems caused or exacerbated by stress:

• Depression and anxiety
• Sleep problems
• The pain of any kind
• Digestive problems
• Autoimmune diseases
• Heart disease
• Skin conditions, such as eczema
• Reproductive issues
• Weight problems
• Thinking and memory problems

The symptoms of stress might be:

–           Cognitive (memory problems, problems with the concentration, poor judgment, only negative views, anxious or racing thoughts, and constant worrying)

–           Emotional (depression, general unhappiness, anxiety and agitation, moodiness, irritability, anger, loneliness, and isolation, feeling overwhelmed, other mental or emotional health problems)

–           Physical symptoms (aches and pains, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, rapid heart rate, frequent colds or flu, loss of sex drive)

–           Behavioral symptoms (eating more or less, withdrawing from others, sleeping too much or too little, procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities, using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax)

Here Are Some Techniques How to Improve the Ability to Handle Stress:

• Get moving
• Connect to others
• Engage your senses (sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, or movement)
• Learn to relax
• Eat a healthy diet
• Get your rest

According to numerous researches, massage therapy can actually help reduce stress and the therapist can be of great help after a long tiring day of work. However, here are several simple massage techniques that can be helpful and might come in handy.

1. Foot massage

The feet are parts of the body that are very exhausted after a long working day. A foot massage can significantly improve the situation and make people feel good, improving their mental health and blood pressure!

instructions:

Hold the heel of the foot with one hand, while with the other hand bend all the toes on one foot at the same time.

This movement is repeated slowly, constantly increasing the pressure.

2. Backbone massage

Anyone who spends more time during the day sitting at a table for a few hours a day may have spine problems (pain and stiffness). Anyone can get rid of these discomforts, using this massage technique, with the help of friends and massage oil.

instructions:

Sitting in a chair, place your hands on the table, and rest your head down.

Have someone put massage oil on your back, rub the entire back area with long strokes, which will improve blood circulation, and supply tense muscles with fresh blood and energy.

The procedure is repeated for about 20 minutes.

3. Scalp massage

Many have already felt relaxed when massaging the scalp while taking a shower, as in fact a scalp massage improves comfort and reduces stress. You can do the massage alone or with the help of a friend, but use only your fingers during the massage!

instructions:

It starts with light strokes from the top of the head and extends towards the neck and shoulders. The fingers should run through the hair, starting from the front of the hair towards the lower part of the neck.

4. Ear massage

It may sound strange, but stress can be eliminated by massaging the ears. This method has been confirmed in reflexology and is based on the activation of pressure points associated with certain organs and parts of the body, which affect relaxation.

instructions:

The ears are gently squeezed with the index finger and thumb, moving along the edges from bottom to top, rubbing and massaging. Attention should be focused on tender areas that need to be worked on a little longer and harder.

The earlobe is then massaged, which is connected to the brain, face, jaw, neurotransmitters, and emotions.

Most people who have performed this technique feel more lively, alert, and ready to face their task and the world around them.

5. Massage for tired eyes

Eye swelling is most often caused by everyday habits, such as using digital screens for several hours at a time. Relieving tired eyes can be achieved by massaging the acupressure points around the eyes. According to some studies, acupressure can change a person’s mood.

instructions:

Rubbing the point between the eyes with your fingertips or wrists in small circles facilitates eye strain. It then massages the center under the eyes and extends towards the outer corner of the eye.

Another important point for eye massage is the middle of the eyebrows. It can start from the middle part and continue along the eyebrow. Each point should be held for about 10 seconds.

Sources: www.helpguide.org