Benefits Of Self-Massage In Your Daily Self-Care Routine

When was the last time you got a massage? It’s probably been too long. What if you could get a massage every day? As it turns out, you can. Self massage is an easy, accessible way to give yourself personalized self-care on demand when and where you need it most.

There are tons of benefits of self massage, from personalized acupressure to overall relaxation. Finding the right technique and using the right products to facilitate the process can only make it better. Learn more about what you need and how to achieve it to get the most out of your self massage experience right here.

What is Self Massage?

The first thing to do before digging into the knots (so to speak) is to identify what self massage is. At its core, self massage is using your hands to massage your body in a way that promotes circulation, relaxes the muscles, and reduces stress. In essence, it’s a personal experience you can give to yourself anytime, anywhere.

Where to do Self Massage on the Body

One of the benefits of self massage is that it can be performed anywhere on the body. The most common areas are the neck, shoulders, stomach, lower back, and lower extremities. These days, however, a lot of people are also doing self massage on the head, including on the temples and jaw area to release tension from TMJ (temporomandibular ) disorder.

Another hot spot for self massage is the arms and hands. With all the typing and texting we do, carpal tunnel syndrome is common. Self massage can be great for releasing tension in the hands and forearms to combat all that clicking, clacking, and keyboard tapping.

Why do Self Massage?

The question of why to do self massage may seem obvious to some: it feels good! If that’s reason enough for you, that’s reason enough for us. Still, the benefits of self massage extend far beyond a little tension relief. People engage in this practice for multiple reasons, some of which are listed below.

Benefits of Self Massage

• Self massage for pain relief. Whether your hands, forearms, calves, or shoulders are bothering you, self massage can be fantastic for specifically targeting areas of tension.

• Stress relief. Many people turn to self massage of the temples or head, neck, and shoulders when they’re feeling stressed. This simple self-care practice provides a quick, easy, and convenient way to relieve stress at the source.

• Better mood. When you have fewer aches and pains, your mood automatically improves. Taking the time to give back to yourself, even if it’s just in small spurts throughout the day, can be a game-changer for your mood.

• Better energy levels. Similar to mood, when you’re not hurting, you’re not depleting your energy levels. This means your body and brain have more space to focus on positive, productive things.

• Could promote better sleep. A body that feels soothed, safe, and relaxed is one that will likely be able to fall asleep easier. Not only that, but when your steady state is more restful, you’ll also likely be able to stay asleep longer. Higher quality sleep equals a more rested, more functional you!

• Less anxiety. People who are prone to overthinking or anxiety may find that self massage is great for combatting these issues. If work stressors get the better of you during the day, taking 5-10 minutes to do self massage could give you the reset you need to calm down and finish the day strong.

• Overall self-care. Not only is self massage good for getting out the knots that may have built up over time, but it can also be essential for nurturing the spirit and soul.

How to do Self Massage

Ready to get into it? Self massage is simple and easy. All you need is the right product and the proper technique.

Step 1: Choose a Product

A body oil or a body cream is best for self massage. Make sure you look at the ingredient profile of the product you choose to ensure that you won’t have a negative reaction to the formula. Generally speaking, natural body oils and organic body creams tend to work best. Made with simple, recognizable ingredients, these products are specifically designed for things like self massage. Their non-irritating formulas make them excellent complements to any at-home spa day.

Natural Body Oil

Mālie Organics’ natural beauty oils can be used all over the body and on the hair to rejuvenate your skin and enhance the silkiness of your tresses. Use as a massage oil or a bath product. Great for use on wet or dry skin.

Organic Body Cream

Soothing, nourishing, and subtly scented, Mālie Organics’ body creams come in a variety of aromas, including tiare, plumeria, pikake, kōkeʻe, and mango nectar. They are available in full size variations as well as mini body creams so you can take your massage with you on the go.

Step 2: Choose a Method

You don’t need to be a trained massage therapist to give yourself a self massage. In fact, you don’t even need to know the names of these techniques. Still, learning about the different options can be fun and informative.

Types of Self Massage

• Effleurage: Gentle, sweeping motions.

• Petrissage: Kneading or squeezing the muscles. This is particularly useful for relieving tension and knots.

• Friction: This type of deep, circular massage can help loosen tight muscles.

• Tapotement: This is just as it sounds. Tapotement relies on tapping or percussive movements to stimulate blood flow and improve circulation.

What You Need for the Best Self Massage

What’s great about self massage is that there’s no need for an elaborate set-up or to make an appointment months in advance. All you need are the right products (in your favorite aroma), clean hands, and the right mindset.

Find your favorite self massage body oils, body butters, body creams, and more when you shop at Mālie Organics today.