Why Should You Treat Yourself to a Massage?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

10 May 2007 12:33 PM

We're counting it down towards the end of the school year and Mother's Day. For the former, it's just 2 weeks from today and my daughter graduates kindergarten. For the latter, we have just three days left and if you haven't already figured out what you're doing for Mom or for yourself for this Mother's Day - let me offer you a suggestion: treat yourself or your mom to a massage.

Massage

A massage may not be for everyone and I've known plenty of people who are uncomfortable with the idea of a body massage. There are many types of massage that may appeal to those who do not like a full body massage include:

• 15 minute neck and shoulder massage that is fantastic to relieve tension, headaches and more
• Foot and lower leg massage that is a great way to relax you and if you combine that with a pedicure, it's a fabulous way to pamper
• Hand and arm massage that also relieves tension and can be done in conjunction with a manicure

The beauty of a hand or foot massage is that it can actually relax your entire body. Once I had a hand massage while in the middle of a terrible headache and it did more to relieve it than the Tylenol or Advil that I usually took for a pain reliever.

Other Forms of Massage

Massage is a great way of bringing the body back into balance, loosening up muscles and flushing toxins from the system. You can use heated lotions that warm the muscles as it relaxes them. Hot stones are another popular form of massage that stimulates blood flow and relaxes the muscles.

I love a good massage, although I admit I don't care for the deep tissue Swedish massage. Those tend to make me hurt more than they help. I enjoyed a massage monthly while I was pregnant because it always helped my back out. The day after we were married, I got a massage and it righted all the tension I was carrying after the weight of the dress.

Massage can be a wonderful gift, just make sure if you pick up a gift certificate for someone, it's something they would like to enjoy. It's also better to give a gift certificate that allows them to pick the service of their choice that way they are not left having to choose a service that you picked out for them.

Have you ever been given a massage as a gift for Mother's Day or other event?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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