Relax Tense Muscles Affordably

Hello readers, Amy here with tips on how to relax those tired muscles.

I hope you are having a good weekend so far.  Speaking of weekends, they offer great opportunity to relax both physically and mentally. Our muscles (we have over 600!) get tight, overworked and tired and need extra TLC to relax.  There are many ways to relax our muscles, such as massages, a hot bath, heating pads, ice packs, etc. but one way I find helps is to stretch.  I have a hard time stretching.  My senior class “joke” gift in high school was a poster showing the proper way to stretch.  My classmates gave it to me because in athletics, I was always so unflexible, had tight hamstrings and to this day have never been able to bend over and touch my toes. I guess it’s partly my genes because both my daughter and son have the same problem.  Anyway, believe it or not, I put that poster up and actually used it as a guide to help me stretch the right way and loosen up my muscles.

Stretching feels so good and the benefits are many.  Not only does stretching lengthen the muscles, it improves circulation of blood to the muscles and joints.  It helps to relax tense muscles resulting from stress thus providing the feeling of relaxation.

I recently talked about essential oils and their scent appeal for relaxation.  Well adding a few drops to a base oil like sweet almond oil (available at most Whole Food Markets) and using as a massage oil can also do wonders for your muscles.  Top choices are peppermint, lavender & rosemary. You can make the massage oil yourself and have a spouse, friend or partner give you a massage or better yet, treat yourself to a day at a local spa.  I guarantee you after a massage, your muscles will be so relaxed, you’ll literally float to your car!

So remember to stretch those tired muscles but most importantly, take care of yourself.

Enjoy the day!