Foot massage just before going to bed can help you sleep better. A soothing and relaxing foot massage will help the body unwind, improve blood circulation and relax the nerves. These in turn will encourage restful sleep.
There are certain acupuncture points on your feet that need to be massaged to promote sleep.
Sit upright with your foot in your lap.
Using your thumb, press in and around the large plantar pad of your big toe.
Do this for at least 1 minute on each of the big toes.
Next, massage the bottom of your feet for 10 minutes with warm coconut oil, olive oil or mustard oil.
Improves Blood Circulation
Due to sedentary lifestyles, most of us do not use the muscles of our feet properly. Also, improper footwear like tight shoes hamper normal circulation in the feet.
improve blood circulation with foot massage
You can improve your blood circulation with 10 minutes of daily foot massage. This in turn will help transport oxygen to the body’s cells, which is essential for overall health. Needless to say, you also need to opt for proper and comfortable footwear.
Foot massage will also stimulate the lymphatic system and help prevent varicose veins
Helps You Relax
After a long tiring day, the best way to relax is a soothing and relaxing foot massage, particularly after a long day of standing and walking around, when our feet tend to swell up.
reflexology to help relax
Also, foot massage gives you energy by releasing any blockages that hold back energy and relieving symptoms of stress and fatigue.
Regular foot massage of 5 to 10 minutes before going to bed can improve feelings of general well-being. Always use warm oil for foot massage so that it easily penetrates deep in the skin. Also, use gentle yet firm strokes.
According to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, receiving soothing hand or foot massages after the death of a loved one can help a lot to deal with the stressful grieving period.
Foot massage provides consolation, helping people to balance the need to grieve and adapt to changes in life.
Certain points on the feet are helpful in alleviating depression symptoms.
For instance, the spot in the center of the big toe, the spot at the center of the ball of your foot or the ball of the foot located under the big toe are associated with emotional stability and mental health.
Massaging these points or applying pressure to them for a few minutes 2 or 3 times a day can help relieve symptoms of depression.