Whether you are a new mum, a working mum or a stressed out mum – or dad – massage can be a great way to reduce stress.
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What you’ll need
Wear comfy clothing with a t-shirt that allows good access to the shoulders. Take out any hair accessories.
What to do
Get your partner to sit on the chair and make sure s/he is comfy. Give a cushion to support the lower back if needed.
Place the bowl of warm water and bath soak on the floor and immerse feet.
Now stand behind with your hands resting on bare shoulders. The person being massaged should close the eyes and take a few deep breathes. If you can breathe in sync, even better. This will also help relax you and get you in the mood as well.
Rubbing some massage oil onto your hands first, move your hands to the centre of the upper back and now sweep your hands up and across the shoulders, bringing your hands back to centre. Repeat three to four times. Take your time and use a firm but gentle pressure.
Next move to the neck and use your thumbs to make small gentle circular movements up the neck. Massage right up to the base of the skull. Repeat this three to four times to release any tension in the neck.
Now using a towel or wipe, remove any excess oil from your hands and place them on your partner's head.
Using the tips of your fingers, make slow, circular movements all over the scalp. Keep the movements slow and rhythmic and repeat for a few minutes. This is a wonderful way to soothe and release any tension in the head.
Next kneel down in front of your partner and dry the feet. Apply some more massage oil to your hands and take one of your partner’s feet. Using your thumbs massage all over the sole of the foot. Keep the pressure firm otherwise it will tickle! Finish by gently rotating each ankle in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. Repeat the whole procedure on the other foot.
For ideas on how to pamper new and expectant mums, go to www.mamababybliss.com