At-Home Bodywork Techniques to Help You Sleep Deeply and Wake Up Refreshed
Sometimes, the simplest things in our lives can create the biggest impact on our well-being. Nowhere is this as true as in the realm of sleep and adequate rest! During the night, your body goes through critical processes to detoxify, rebuild and restore itself for the coming day. If you are consistently not sleeping well, your body will feel it, and the effects will compound over time.
Luckily, there are some easy ways to show your body some love at home that will go a long way towards ensuring that your nightly rest is deep and sound. Try one or more of these ideas tonight and we know you will wake up refreshed and rejuvenated!
Give your feet some love with a reflexology foot massage! Reflexology is an ancient form of massage that works with the body’s natural balancing systems to detoxify and relax the internal organs, through gentle contact with points on the feet. While you can contact a professional masseuse to carry out a private home massage to really help you relax, you can do a basic foot massage yourself. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, or your favorite cream or lotion to massage your feet while keeping them moisturized.
Start at your toes, gently massaging each one, making a note of any tender spots. Then move on to the ball of your foot, paying particular attention to any calloused or sensitive areas. The arch of your foot contains the reflexology points that correspond to many of your vital internal organs, such as the kidneys, liver and stomach, so go slowly and gently, If one of your organs is struggling, you may feel tenderness at the corresponding point on your foot.
Finally, move on to your heel. This area can help connect you with the earth, with the relaxation inherent in grounding and centering in the moment. If you choose, anointing your feet with an essential oil can be a perfect closing to the massage, as the feet are uniquely able to absorb the beneficial properties of essential oils and transfer them to the bloodstream. Peppermint, lavender, ylang ylang or clary sage are particularly relaxing, centering, and activating for feelings of self-compassion and peace. You could also get an essential oils diffuser for your room – you can get everything you’ll need for this by shopping online at AromaTech, where you’ll find a wide range of scented oils to choose from.
Incorporating CBD into your at-home massage practice can contribute greatly towards your well-being and nights of restful sleep. CBD crumble and CBD-infused salves, in particular, provide accessible and easy-to-use vehicles for the beneficial properties of CBD, which are thought to promote better digestion, a reduction in stress and anxiety, and deeper, more restorative sleep.
In most countries, you can easily buy CBD oil online so it can become part of your massage regime. Utilizing CBD-infused lotion and salves along with massage allows the beneficial cannabinoids in CBD to enter the bloodstream and interact with the endocannabinoid system, supporting the body in regaining balance. This aids in detoxification, restoration, and, you guessed it – it also aids in helping you surrender to deep, REM-cycle sleep all night long.
Another easy way to assist your mind and body with preparing for sleep is to enjoy a sea salt bath – and if you choose to incorporate essential oils here as well, you multiply the benefits! Soaking in warm water with sea salt relaxes your musicals, tendons and ligaments, and allows freshly oxygenated blood to flow in and out of every area that may be aching or calling out for attention. The minerals in the sea salt also aid the body in its detoxification process, and the warmth of the water is excellent for a worried mind – it’s almost impossible to feel stressed when soaking in a hot bath!
The next time you’re feeling fatigued and just can’t get ahead of your to-do list, make some time to try one or more of these techniques to assist your body with deep relaxation and a restful night’s sleep. You’ll find that you will be more present, more calm, and ready to rise to the occasion of whatever your day brings you.