We all need self-care every once in a while. For each of us, self-care looks different: for some, it might mean lounging in the sun for an afternoon. For others, it might mean going on an elaborate trip to somewhere new. No matter what form it takes, each approach is valid—whatever helps release the rush of endorphins that helps you de-stress falls under the umbrella of self-care.
Most of us picture self-care as a trip to the spa and getting a relaxing massage or a deep tissue cleanse. What if we told you that you can get the same holistic treatment at home every day?
With self-massage, you can do just that. Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or occasional—through the age-old art of self-massage, you can de-stress and rejuvenate at any time. Not only will self-massage help you feel refreshed, but it also comes with a variety of health benefits. Its techniques are so easy and economical that you can (and should) practice self-massage daily. Here are a few of the ways self-massage can improve your health—both mental and physical—and the oils that can help you achieve those improvements.
Benefits Of Self-massage
1
PAIN RELIEF
When you self-massage, you increase your blood circulation, which in turn promotes pain relief. With the help of essential and carrier oils, you can improve your experience with the painful effects of several health conditions, including arthritis, pain in the upper and lower extremities, back pain relief and wounds.
Best Oils to Use:
Sesame and mustard oil are highly useful for reducing pain and de-stressing deep tissue. Some studies have shown that Mustard oil can fight off infection, soothe body pain, and reduce fever. Similarly, studies also show that Sesame oil can also improve pre-existing problem areas by providing pain relief and helping recovery from wounds. As an ozonated oil with high tensile strength, sesame oil acts as a collagen agent in treating these areas. Calamus oil is also well-researched as another anti-inflammatory agent that also promotes pain relief. These are some examples of pain relief oils.
UMA Recommends:
- For alleviating dryness and irritation in the skin, our sesame-based Deep Nourish Extreme Dryness Treatment is the formula for you.
For calming your body after your self-massage with calamus, use our Pure Rest Wellness Incense.
2
LUSCIOUS HAIR
If you want to develop luscious, thick, and healthy hair, then scalp massage is the self-massage technique for you. During a scalp massage, the cells in your hair follicles become stretched, thereby stimulating the follicles and diluting the blood vessels in the scalp. As a result, thicker hair is given the opportunity to grow.
Best Oils to Use:
Bhringraj oil—made from a medicinal plant in the sunflower family called bhringraj—is an ideal oil candidate for scalp massages. Bhringraj oil contains vitamin E and antimicrobial and antifungal properties, allowing it to reduce dandruff, prevent hair loss, and boost hair growth all at once. If you don’t have Bhringraj oil, you can use mustard oil instead for the prevention of hair loss.
UMA Recommends:
- For nourishing, strengthening, and moisturizing hair, our Intensely Nourishing Hair Oil will leave your mane shiny and silky-smooth.
3
HEALTHY SKIN
The deep conditioning and moisturizing that results from self-massage can work wonders on your skin, helping it relax and radiate health. If you’re looking for that perfect summer glow, a self-massage is a great way to attain immediate results.
Best Oils to Use:
Made of lauric acid and vitamin E, fractionated coconut oil is an effective anti-inflammatory substance and a perfect antioxidant. Coconut oil soothes the muscles and provides a natural lipid barrier to help reduce stretch marks and prevent dehydration. Additionally, it strengthens the skin and prevents aging through its properties that have been shown to assist collagen fibers.
If you’re looking to increase the flexibility of your skin, turmeric oil is a great option, as it prevents fine lines and promotes skin elasticity through its moisturizing effects.
UMA Recommends:
- For luxuriously hydrating your skin with the benefits of coconut, use our Absolute Anti Aging Body Balm after your self-massage.
- For restoring radiance and tightness to the skin around your neck and chest, use our Flawlessly Firming Neck Chest & Décolletage Serum.
4
MIND AND BODY REJUVENATION
In the Ayurvedic tradition, the mind and body are vitally interconnected parts of one’s overall well-being. In addition to treating specific areas of the body, self-massage can provide a holistic treatment for both mind and body, promoting mental health improvements and physical recuperation from illness at the same time.
Best Oils to Use:
Basil oil, when mixed with rosemary oil, can promote wonderful effects in both your mind and body: it increases your energy, improves your mood, and has even been shown to reduce headaches in small amounts. As a result, basil oil is ideal for improving your physical and mental focus.
Guduchi oil, which is made from a deciduous climbing shrub native to India, also provides the same rejuvenating benefits to both the mind and the body through its soothing and cooling properties.
In addition to these oils, many essential oils can be employed for their pleasing scent, which can put you in a calm mood during your massage.
UMA Recommends:
- For a natural, energizing alternative to caffeine, our basil-based Pure Energy Wellness Oil fights fatigue and increases creativity.
5
MEMORY AND MENTAL FUNCTION
While a self-massage has obvious mental therapeutic benefits, you can enhance these to concentrate on a person’s mental focus. The essential oils used during the massage also play an important role in improving mental focus and relaxes the brain.
Best Oils to Use:
Brahmi oil, which acts as a general cooling agent, contains a host of mental benefits: it can increase the brain’s awareness, strengthen memory, and promote sound rest. Massage brahmi oil into your head in order to allow the oil to seep into the skin and rejuvenate the scalp.
UMA Recommends:
- For alleviating stress and relaxing the mind to optimize focus, try our Pure Calm Wellness Oil.
6
INFECTION PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
If you are suffering from wounds or more serious illnesses, essential oils can be massaged into your body to combat them. Whether you have a fungal infection or bronchial problems, a self-massage with the right essential oils can offer relief with the symptoms.
Best Oils to Use:
For managing burns, turmeric oil is a strong antibacterial agent that can help alleviate the unpleasantness of burns and wounds when massaged into the skin. Cardamom oil, which contains antimicrobial properties that can allow it to resist common pathogens, may be useful in containing the growth of bacteria. For managing fungal infection, mustard oil can be directly applied to infections to alleviate symptoms of their intensity and growth.
In addition to these more topical treatments, essential oils can also treat larger issues such as heart disease and digestive issues. Arjuna oil, for example, is believed to strengthen the heart by increasing circulation. Cardamom oil also contains natural phytochemicals that augment the body’s levels of glutathione, a natural antioxidant, which is being researched for its abilities to help the body prevent and fight against cancer.
UMA Recommends:
- For detoxifying the impurities that can bring on health problems, using the benefits of mustard, check out our Body Balancing Navel Therapy Oil.
Thanks to the versatility of these essential oils, you can customize a self-massage that is best suited to your needs. You can come up with the perfect self-care routine simply by pairing these oils with a nice massaging technique and a calm environment.
Self-massage is an ongoing process, and the time you spend with yourself will help you better understand what your body requires. By listening closely to both your mind and body, and by treating them with care, you can harness the benefits of essential oils to transform each day into a healthier one.
