What do you do after the end of a long workout or a hard day? Many of us slip into a hot bath in an attempt to relieve those achy muscles. Some of us massage our legs or arms with lotion or some other type of topical analgesic.
So I have a question for you today.
Why, after a long hard day, do you not massage the muscles in your face?
We wash our faces, which is great for ridding the surface of the excess oils, free radicals, and toxins that have been attacking us throughout the day; but what about the underlying muscles? You use them more than you think – when speaking, smiling, eating, and even simply looking around. Fine lines, wrinkles, and even more serious disorders affecting the jaw can be impacted by tight muscles in the area of the face.
Don’t they deserve a break?
Massaging your own face is easy. Here’s how it’s done:
- Choose your favorite facial moisturizer and apply it to your face.
- Start at the base of your chin and gently pinch the muscles, working up along your jaw line.
- Massage the muscles in the cheek area by making a circular motion. Use firmer pressure while massaging upwards and lighten your pressure when the circular motion is pulling down on your face. Make sure you reverse the direction of your circular motion.
- Use your thumbs and fingers to massage the muscles around your mouth – above, below, and around the sides.
- Massage the area around your nose and move upwards to your forehead (still using circular motions) and around your eyes (avoiding the sensitive area right beneath your eyes).
It’s important to remember to always work in an upward direction. If you massage in a downward direction you’re pulling your muscles which will contribute towards sagging and drooping – things we aim to avoid later in life.
Taking care of your body means taking care of your entire body – including your face. Try massaging your face once or twice a week and I think you’ll be surprised at how relaxed you feel!
Deborah Dera is a full-time freelance writer, massage therapist, martial artist, and student of life. She spends most of her time studying the human body, musculature, nutrition, and both traditional and alternative therapies. She enjoys exploring the fashion world as well – including anything related to UGG boots, contemporary styles, and beauty!