Self-Massage 101 | Hands

 We all get sore, whether you sit at a computer all day or not (though, we know you probably do) but we can’t all afford to see a massage therapist every time we have an ache. That leaves us with two options; beg someone else to work out our kinks or learn to relieve them ourselves. Below, we’re going to go over how to ease tension in your own hands, one of the hardest working parts of your body. If you’re typing all day, chances are pretty good that your little fingers are aching after 8 hours (plus all those hours spent on your phone…). It’s important to take the time to check in with yourself during the workday, so don’t be embarrassed to do this at your desk. If you're interested in learning more about massage in general, try to find a copy of The Massage Book (seen above).

All you need for this simple massage is;

• Your hands
• Your favorite massage oil or hand cream
• A minute

Start by rolling up your sleeves and applying oil or cream to your hands and forearms. Using something with essential oils that relax you  is a great way to add some bonus self-care to your day. Try to focus on your breathing (and not much else) while you do the massage. 

Using your opposite hand, slide down each finger, towards the tip applying pressure as you go. When you get to the end of each finger, push down on the finger nail and then pinch and pull away. Continue down each finger of both hands.

Using your thumb, pointer and middle finger, apply strong pressure in a circular motion to the pressure point in the web between your pointer and thumb of the opposite hand. This pressure point in amazing if your suffering from a mid-day headache or a 3pm energy slump. Do the opposite hand.

On the palm on your hand, following the paths between your bones, slide your thumb from the bottom to the top. When you reach the meaty part of your hand, next to your thumb, take a second to really get in there. Then slide your thumb to the front of your hand and give that pressure point another good squeeze. Repeat on your other hand and then give them a few good shakes.

If you can, try to do this, or a version of it that you like, a couple of times a day, especially during a stressful day. What kind of self-massage would you like the learn next? Let us know below.