3 easy steps for massage at home

Though nothing truly compares to a professional massage, you can certainly benefit from more regular DIY massage in the comfort of your home. In this guide, we share tips for treating yourself or your partner to a papering massage using Natio’s nourishing Massage Oils.

Before you even begin, remember that a good massage starts with a tranquil and cosy environment. Make sure the room is warm and comfortable to help your body relax. Create a serene atmosphere using low lighting, soft music or by diffusing essential oils to envelop the room in naturally calming scents.

Another tip before beginning your massage is to gently wipe the area of the body being massaged with a damp, warm hand towel. Make sure both the massage oil and your hands are warm; you can heat a little oil in your hands by rubbing them together before placing on the body. Use just enough oil to prevent friction, but not so much that hands become too slippery and hard to control.

Consider your breathing during a massage. Breathe deeply during the massage to help further calm the body and mind. And there are some times to avoid massage, including just after eating, if you are injured, dizzy, have a temperature, suffer chronic pain or if you are pregnant.

1. choose your application

1. Face Massage

Facial massage is easy to do yourself and can be incorporated into your nightly routine using your favourite face oil or one of the carrier oils from Natio's Home Happiness range. Like any other type of massage, this rejuvenating ritual helps gently stimulate blood flow, relax and tone facial muscles, release tension and awaken the senses. As a bonus, working a nourishing oil into the skin also helps deeply moisturise the complexion and improve radiance.

• After cleansing, smooth a Natio Carrier Oil of your choice over the face and neck with warm hands and work it into the skin. Always use a soft and gentle touch when massaging the delicate facial area, mixing circular strokes with soft sweeping movements and gentle acupressure, lightly pushing, pressing and tapping the skin without dragging or pulling.
• Using gentle but firm pressure, massage down the jaw and neck, moving out along the collarbones.
• With your forefinger and middle finger, gently apply pressure in front and behind your ears in long downwards strokes, continuing out along the jaw.
• For the lightest pressure, use your ring finger to lightly trace circles or softly tap along your eyebrows and under your eyes.
• Massage down either side of your nose and sweep out over your cheekbones.
• Finish by massaging your forehead, moving out over your temples to release tension.
• You can massage your face daily or weekly, for as short or as long as you have time for.

2. Hand Massage

From eating, dressing and typing to doing the dishes, hands rarely rest, making them one of our most hard-working body parts. Hand reflexology is a great way to relieve tension after a hard day's work and something you can easily do yourself while relaxing on the couch or even in a warm bath.

• Start by shaking your hands and wiggling your fingers.
• Stretch hands by extending your fingers as wide as possible and releasing.
• Bend your wrists, flexing hands up and down.
• Press each finger into the palm of the opposite hand, gently bending your fingers back.
• Apply a few drops of the Natio Massage Oil of your choice to your palm and slowly massage out along each finger.
• Pinch the tips of each finger, holding for a few moments with your index finger and thumb.
• Squeeze the sides of each finger, holding for a few moments with your index finger and thumb.
• Using the opposite thumb, knuckles or heel of the hand, knead the palm of the hand. Pay extra attention to the pressure point between your index finger and thumb, massaging and applying gentle pressure to the area with your thumb and index finger.
• Applying light pressure, glide your fingers in gentle, flowing, upward motions from the wrist along the arm up to the elbow. Repeat the motion along the back of the hand upwards towards the elbow.
• Repeat the steps on the opposite hand. 

3. Foot Massage

Your feet do a lot of work every day - whether you are chasing after children, wearing your favourite heels or your job keeps you on your feet all day. A foot massage is not only delightfully relaxing, it can also help soothe soreness, improve blood circulation and increase your energy levels.

• Prepare a luxurious foot bath by adding 3-6 drops of your favourite essential oil to small amount of carrier oil and stirring through a large bowl of warm water.
• Soak feet in a warm foot bath for 10-15 minutes to soften skin and relax the body. Alternatively, rinse feet with warm soapy water, then pat dry.
• Place feet on pillow or towel roll for comfort
• Warm the Relaxation Massage Oil or Sports & Muscle Recovery Massage Oil between your hands and begin with long soothing strokes over the top of the foot, working from the ankle to the toes.
• Using the heel of your palm apply gently pressure in slow motions up the sole of the foot.
• Using your thumbs, circle over the heel of the foot, massing up the arch to the toes.
• Cupping the heel of the foot in one hand, gently flex the foot up and down to loosen any stiffness in the ankle joints. Then gently massage around the ankle bone in circular motions.
• Spend some time massaging each toe. With your thumb on top and your index finger underneath the toe, slide your thumb and finger over each toe, in a gentle pulling motion.
• Repeat the steps on the opposite foot.

4. Relaxation Massage

A common place to hold tension and stress is through the neck, shoulders and back from working long hours hunched over computers or looking at phones. A relaxation massage is ideal to help a loved one relax, relieve muscle tension and help induce sleep.

• Ask the recipient to lie down and take a few deep breaths while you warm the Massage Oil between your palms.
• Using long, sweeping strokes massage from the glutes to the upper back with the palm of your hand or fingertips.
• Keeping hands on either side of the spine, move out over the shoulders in sweeping, circular motions.
• In areas where you feel tension, apply some pressure and slowly release, easing out over the tightened area to gently relax the muscle.
• Massage down the arms and hands in soothing, sweeping motions, focusing on one arm and hand at a time.
• Using long, flowing strokes move over the back of the legs, working from the calf up to the thigh and back down again wrapping your hands over the feet and massaging the soles with your thumbs.
• Ask your recipient to turn over and lie on their back, placing a pillow underneath their head for support. Gently knead their shoulders, moving your thumbs in small circular motions either side of the spine, up the neck to the hair line.
• Finish with a relaxing head massage, spreading fingers out over the scalp in soft circular movements.

5. Sport Massage

Sports massage tends to be more targeted than relaxation massage, focusing on specific muscle groups of the body. Often excessive or repetitive exercise can result in tired and aching muscles, especially through the legs. A sports massage is ideal to help relieve muscle tension and induce sleep.

• Follow all the steps given above, but target specific areas that may be sore from physical activity. Spend longer massaging these muscles to help relieve tension or soreness. A Sports & Muscle Recovery massage can target specific areas of the body sore from physical activity.

2. choose your massage oil

Now that you know the basics of massage you’re almost ready to get started. All that’s left is to select which Natio Massage Oil to use.

Both are silky and non-sticky in a deeply moisturising Sesame Oil base, rich in Vitamin E to nourish the skin as you massage. Blended with essential oils to enhance the senses, ease away stress and tension.

• Relaxation Massage Oil – For all skin types. With Lavender and Rose Oil. Often used to calm and soothe.
• Sports & Muscle Recovery Oil – For all skin types. With Rosemary, Cinnamon and Wintergreen Oil – a slightly more peppery, botanical scent.

Massage information provided with assistance from massage experts, Marigold Relaxation