Head Start
Do yourself a favour. Every time you shampoo your hair, massage your scalp, too. It's more than soothing; it also relaxes the thin layer of muscle that covers the skull, easing tension and improving circulation to hair follicles. Start by lightly stroking your head, from the top of your forehead to the base of your neck. Then, with your thumbs and fingertips, make small circular movements all over the scalp. Next, grab a small amount of hair in each hand, gently pull, then run your fingers through it (repeating all over the scalp). Finally, put your hands over your ears, gently press and release.
Rub-a-Dub-Dub
You don't need to leave your home to create your own spa treatment. The next time you run a bath, try one of these homemade recipes:
- Add a few drops of perfume and a dash of baby oil (soothing and good-smelling).
- Wrap a cup of oatmeal or bran in a cloth and drop it in the water (great for dry skin).
- Add a cup of powdered skim milk (a natural moisturizer); or, as a pick-me-up, add a cup of cider or wine vinegar.
A great way to relax before you go to bed is with a face massage. Instead of just applying a moisturizer to your face, put it in your hands and rub them together to warm up the lotion. Place your hands on your face for a moment, then move to the throat and sweep your hands up over the chin and jaw. Next, stroke your face from the centre out to the temples. Move your hands to your forehead, draw your fingers up to the hairline, then stroke the sides of the face all the way down to your neck. Finish up by placing your index fingers underneath your jaw, and stroke from the chin out to the ear.
