Slick Soles & Sound Sleep

Did you know that massaging your feet before going to bed can help you sleep? Rubbing sesame oil into the soles of your feet is extremely relaxing and brings all that busy head energy down your body, leaving your head calm and trouble free and ready for the good quality rest it deserves.

Start by rubbing a little oil between the palms of your hands then rub it over the top of your foot. Work your thumbs in the groove between the bones on the top of your foot to relieve tension in the chest, and then work up and down the instep of your foot to relax your back and let accumulated tension in your spine melt away. Next pinch and squeeze your way down the outside of your foot from the base of your little toe to your heel area to relax tension in your shoulders and arms.

Now turn your attention to the soles of your feet, rubbing and working your way from your heels up to your toes, pressing into the middle of the sole of your feet activates the kidney meridian and is very grounding and good for relieving anxiety.

Let it all go…

As you massage your feet, take some deep breaths and tell yourself that it’s OK for you to have a great night’s sleep and fully recharge your batteries. Everything can wait until the morning, what didn’t get done won’t get done now, so just let it float out of your mind and know that you can do it much better tomorrow when you’re fully refreshed.

Make like a cat

Most animals enjoy regular spells of self-grooming and humans can greatly benefit from it too.

If you vigourously brush your hair before bed, using the brush to massage your scalp, you can release tension and improve circulation, which is both relaxing and a practical way to stop head tension building into headaches.

Get my free full colour foot reflexology chart here (right click and choose "save as")

Comments

[Jennifer]

Ananga, I am glad you posted this. Some years ago I used to do this and I stopped and you reminded me to start again! It is very true that foot massage helps to relieve pressure and start the relaxation process. It's easy to do while watching TV also. I also have written a little on this topic on my blog, stop by if you find time- http://alaivani.com/Default.aspx?tabid=56&EntryID=58. Thanks, Jennifer

[Gerlaine]

I am going to be a true fan of your downloads. I love the techniques you mentioned here. Being into massage therapy, I love reflexology. Many people didn't know that they could do a good job at massaging their own feet. Others just did not want to do it, so they came to me.

I have never used the sesame oil though. Hmmm... I will have to get some. And I did not know about the hair brushing technique. Very nice.

[Ananga]

Gerlaine,

Thanks for your comments, I think there is little more relaxing than experiencing massage delivered by an expert, but it is surprising how soothing massaging your own feet with oil before rest can be too. The hair brushing thing has helped me find relief from some really intense tension in my head on more than one occasion and it's so simple too.