ing with the feet, brush in circles up the calves, thighs and buttocks, before moving to the hands and up the arms to the shoulders. Brush down on the neck, but up on the back. Finally, move to the chest and abdomen, brushing counter-clockwise. The whole process should take about 10 minutes. Follow it up with hydrotherapy—a simple shower will do—to help wash away dead skin and impurities. A further de- toxing option is to follow up with a hot bath containing two cups of Epsom salts and 20 drops of tea tree oil.


Recharge After you have de-stressed, refreshed and released, it may be time to ramp up your energy. These final steps are geared to recharge your emotional and physical batteries.


Stay in Touch Physical touch in any form stimulates the body, and while massage is typically used to relax and release, it can also revitalize. A recent National Institutes of Health study showed that massage had a positive effect on cancer-related fatigue in patients who were undergoing treatments that drained them of energy. “During an invigorating massage, the therapist uses faster paced, gliding,


strokes, rather than slow, sustained, pressure,” explains Kristen Sykora, a licensed massage therapist and spokesperson for the American Massage Therapy Association. In-between visits (locate a local practitioner at Finda MassageTherapist.org), there’s plenty you can do on your own. “Physiologically, when you massage yourself—even when you rub lotion on


your skin—you’re asking the blood vessels to open up and bring in blood, nutrients and oxygen into that area,” Sykora says. She suggests a simple tapping technique, called tapotement, for re-energizing any area of the body that feels fatigued, such as quadraceps or derrière. To work on quads, sit comfortably, so the muscles are relaxed, make a soft fist and tap gently all over the muscle for one to two minutes. Use either the pinky end of the fist or the underside, where the fingers are curled.


Walk


A simple way to get moving, walking raises heart rate and breathing capacity, increases circulation of blood and nutrients to all systems of the body and, as new research from the University of Pittsburgh shows, improves memory. It’s a relatively low-impact, safe, form of exercise that also gets you outdoors, which has its own balancing benefits. Beginners can try for 10 minutes a day at a slow, comfortable pace, while more experienced walkers may shoot for 30 minutes a day at a faster, more invigorating pace.


Try Something New Sticking to the safe, familiar and tried-and-true may seem like an energy-conser- vation measure, but upsetting your routine and trying new things can re-cultivate a passion for life. And passion, says Marks, helps provide life with meaning and purpose. “It’s important to find pleasures outside of work, even if you do love your job,” she counsels. What will you do? Something you’ve always wanted to do, or used to do and


have always wanted to get back to. Or, something you never thought you could do, or think you’re too old to do. Natural Awakenings’ monthly Calendar of Events is a perfect place to start. Take a


cooking or art class (local community colleges are great, too) or join a dining or green drinks or birdwatching group (Meetup.com facilitates local gatherings). Learn a new sport (tennis, paddleboarding, salsa dance) or a musical instrument (ukulele, an easy instrument to pick up, is making a comeback). Join a community gardening, hand- crafting or reading circle, which are all part of the growing make-it-yourself move- ment. The list is endless...


Frances Lefkowitz’s new book, To Have Not, has been named one of five Best Mem- oirs of 2010 by SheKnows.com. Connect at FrancesLefkowitz.net.


natural awakenings March / April 2011 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44