Do-It-Yourself Stress Busters
When you don't have time to get professional stress relief, try these simple tricks.
By Brett Rodgers
Life is easy when you know the tricks. Next time you're feeling low, just pull out this magic paper and try one or more of these wonderful stress busters:
Rub your neck—As a massage therapist, I can tell you without doubt that rubbing of the neck gives very fast relief from pain and stress. The neck is the junction between the brain and body. Stress seems to affect the muscles of this area more than any other place. Ever notice how tight your neck gets, especially when sitting, standing, or if you've been stressed? When you use the healing power of your own touch, you reverse the downward cycle of pain—first physically, then mentally. It's all connected. Mental, physical, spiritual and emotional; they all play off each other.
OK, first put on some nice, soothing music. Then pour a tablespoon full of olive oil (I always prefer natural lubricants vs. synthetic, petroleum-based creams) into a bowl and find a relaxing place to sit or lie down. If you want, you may add essential oils like lavender, rosemary or lemongrass. Another great alternative to oil would be a product from the co-op called Arnica salve. Arnica is a muscle-relaxing herb used for external purposes only. Internally, I use mind-calming, nerve-melting herbs like skullcap, valerian or hops that really help with stress. (I prefer natural herbs over conventional medications for stress relief because I don't like the side effects of manmade drugs.)
Dip your fingers into the oil and rub some of it on your neck. Work it in until you've got the perfect "slide" and consistency. Feel is a big key here. Find the tight bands of muscle in the front, sides and back of the neck. Rub the bands lengthwise, circularly and crosswise. Be careful not to pinch off the carotid artery, which is located just to the right of the Adam's apple in that "groove." Cup your hand on the back of the neck and squeeze, pull and rub. While you're rubbing, roll your head around, stretching and working the muscles at the same time. Be careful but thorough.
Breathe! The breath is the spirit of life. Think positive thoughts and relax. Rub your neck and shoulder muscles for at least 15 minutes.
Rub your ears, hands and feet—These are the reflex points on the body. Reflex points stimulate healing throughout. You might compare these points to the fuses in your car. To find the points that need healing, just rub and find the sore spots. These are indicators of places that need attention—like blown fuses. It's that simple. Rubbing the ears is called "auricular acupressure." You don't always need to pay an acupuncturist to put needles in your ears; you can stimulate them every day on your own! Just rub them! Rubbing the hands and feet is called reflexology. You don't need to see a massage therapist every time to rub your own hands and feet! Just do it!
Natural healing is awesome! Often it costs nothing but time, patience and perseverance.
Brett Rodgers, LMT, operates An Excellent Massage for $35 an Hour at 910 Grant St. #B in Silver City, 534-9703. Call him for a free auricular acupressure or reflexology chart.