Show yourself a little TLC and calm racing thoughts at the same time by following these simple steps to a relaxing and restorative hand massage
Find somewhere comfortable to sit and take a couple of deep breaths. As you exhale, screw your hands into a ball, hold for a moment, and then release. Then begin:
- Turn both your hands palm up and use one hand to support the other.
- Use the thumb of your bottom hand to start by pushing into the squidgy pads at the base of your other hand and above your wrist.
- Apply whatever pressure is comfortable for you; try to make it firm enough that you can feel it but don’t push too hard – after all, this is supposed to be relaxing.
- Make firm circles with your thumb, as if you are smoothing your skin.
- Move onto the palm of the upper hand, circling and pushing out from the centre of your palm across your hand. Notice the feeling and the warmth that comes from the movement.
- Next, focus on the pads at the bottom of each finger. Press into each one, circle and notice how that feels.
- Now work your way from the bottom to the top of each finger of your upper hand. Imagine stretching your fingers out and give the tip of each one a squeeze when you get there.
- Finally, rub your hands together as if you’re washing them. Slowly let them run over each other. Come to a stop, taking a deep breath and pausing to notice the calm.
- Repeat with the other hand.
