Maybe you can’t get a massage as regularly as you like due to time, no good massage therapists in your area, it’s too expensive and so on. The idea is to begin taking the steps to taking care of yourself with maintenance between sessions.
Here are 5 things you can do for maintenance
#1 Physical Activity
Increase your physical activity. Create a routine and follow it. Your routine can be a simple as doing a 30 minute walk a day. But the idea is to find something that you can do regularly and that you enjoy. Physical activity is excellent for your health and your mood.
If you need help designing a program then reach out to a local personal trainer or ask friends, neighbors who they use. I’m sure you’ll find someone who has or is in the same boat as you.
If you have a medical condition or injury, visit a physical therapist. They can do manual massage as well as design exercise programs that are specific to your condition. Not to mention, if you have health insurance that can really alleviate some of the financial burden.
The idea is to begin taking the steps to taking care of yourself with maintenance between sessions.
#2 Stretching
Daily stretching is a great maintenance option to your “me” program. It doesn’t have to be an hour yoga class. It can be a daily 5 minute stretch when you get out of bed or before/after your walk. Just enough to get your limbs and joints elongating. Adding space between those joints and stretching the muscles and fascia surrounding them. I always tell my clients, to do the classic stretches they did in gym class. That is more than enough for the healthy human being to do. And, everyone has 5 minutes.
Here are stretches to do at your desk.
#3 Foam Rolling
This is another classic maintenance suggestion. It’s great for elongating fascia, unsticking areas that feel stuck. If you can get on the ground and are willing to put in the time then foam rolling is a fantastic alternative to massage. Although, it doesn’t feel the same. Find the time to do 10-30 minutes of rolling 2-3 times a week. You’ll be golden. Here’s an excellent full body foam rolling routine you can do. I use this myself.
#4 Drink More Water
Many people don’t drink enough water. Your body is mostly made of water. So it makes sense that we have to drink water and lots of it to maintain normal function of our organs and to replace the amount we loss through sweating or evaporation throughout the day. Get a half gallon or a gallon jug of water and start drinking one of those a day. That way you know you’re getting in enough water. If you’re worried about the volume then speak to your doctor about appropriate amounts to drink.
#5 Eat a Balance Diet
So many people struggle with making good food choices. Guilty. A balanced diet can really make your body feel good. I would highly encourage you to see a dietician or a nutritionist if you need help getting your diet right. Food is not an easy thing to manage, control or organize. Sometimes we need help to get a good routine in. Fad diets are fad diets. They are short term, unsustainable and potentially end up setting you back even further than where you started. It’s best to really dial in your relationship with food. Get that under control then create a balanced diet that works for you and that you can sustain. Poor diets leads to the body breaking down. It’s best to incorporate a good one.
My Fitness Pal is an excellent resource for getting your diet on track. You can find more information on it here.
Calorie King is another excellent resource. You can find more information on it here.
Conclusion
Of course massage isn’t the only thing you can do to feel better. You can do things like adding more physical activity to your routine, stretching, foam rolling, drinking water, eating less inflammatory foods to improve your condition. Create a “me” plan and a routine to meet your goals. If you need help, seek the health professionals necessary to help you.
Felicia Hayes
Hi. I’m Felicia. I’ve made a 20+ year career of massage and bodywork. And, I still love it. I also enjoy writing, playing music, photography, cooking, baking and painting. All of which I’m not very good at. I’m also a daily bike commuter.