Stress Relief
The Stress Relief section will help you wind down after a long and turbulent day.
Cool down
Been on an extreme-shopping tour or long-distance flight? Get those swollen ankles slim again by massaging your legs with ice cubes. The coolness also relieves the veins.
Up in the Sky
Do you really have to fly a lot? Here a valuable tip: To prevent your legs from feeling heavy and your ankles from getting swollen, drink at least one glass of water, a fruit or vegetable drink, herbal or fruit tea every 30 minutes. Also helpful: stand up every now and then, jiggle your feet, stand on tiptoe, and rock up and down.
The Joy of Bathing
Warm water is great. It soothes the body and soul, relaxing tense muscles and decreasing stress. For a foot bath, just put a few drops of your favorite bath essence into the warm water, submerge your legs to the calves, and enjoy for about 10 minutes. Use ylang-ylang for harmony, lavender to wind down, and lemon balm to relax.
Mint against Heat
Great for those hot summer days or after a long flight: massage your legs with a cooling mint lotion. Stay barefoot and put up your legs for about 5 minutes.
Feet Up!
It sounds so easy, and yet so few of us take the time to give our feet a rest. Just do it! Put up your feet for a couple of minutes. Keep your legs uncrossed and put a cushion under your shins. This will ease the blood flow to the heart and help you relax. Your feet will thank you.
Footsie Roll
Remember the discussion in "Pulp Fiction" about a foot massage? Well, you don't have to get anyone in trouble – just give yourself a nice and relaxing treat. Sit down comfortably, so that you can easily reach your feet, anoint them with some lotion, and knead them lovingly from the tip of your toes to your heels. A firm grip is good, especially if you're ticklish.
Oooommm
Have you ever tried meditating? It’s really not that hard, and can be an island of calm in the midst of a busy day. Just close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Feel your breath go all the way into your body, flowing through your nose, chest, lungs, into your stomach and out again. Breathing out deeply is essential – breathing in will follow naturally. Try to think of nothing in particular, as if you were just watching your own thoughts.
Happy Green
Give your feet a time out after walking in high heels: go barefoot whenever you can. Allow your feet to enjoy the luscious green grass in the park, the soft sand on the beach, or the refreshing coolness of a small brook. This helps improve circulation and calms you down as well!
Sleeping Beauty
It has been true, is true, and always will be true: sleep is the best beauty treatment ever. Try to get eight hours of sleep at night, even though it isn't easy. If you have trouble unwinding, try to lie down and concentrate on breathing. If there's too much on your mind, write it down and put the notebook away. Sweet dreams!
Relax your whole body
Lie down comfortably and try to relax. Breathe deeply and concentrate first on your feet, feeling them, sending your breath and your energy all the way down to them. Then, let your thoughts and concentration wander upwards through your entire body, feeling each part as uniquely yours. At the end, imagine your breath as a light that spreads through you – you'll feel both relaxed and energized!
