When your muscles are feeling tense or you’re craving self-care time, there’s a variety of at-home massage options for all your needs. Regular massages are proven to relieve stress, release feel-good endorphins, lower blood pressure, fight insomnia and more. Here’s how to give yourself a good at-home massage.
Stimulate Circulation
Available in 8 different colors including blue, pink and purple. Amazon
Acupressure is a paramount tradition of Chinese medicine, using needles as a method to alert the body to “turn on” its own self-healing. An acupressure mat is a cotton mat with plastic points that stimulate the skin to provide pain relief and circulation. The mat does not actually puncture the skin, but stays true to its name and puts pressure on the body parts that need relief including your back, legs, feet and head. This pick also comes with a pillow to help ease tension in your neck from hunching over a computer all day. First-time users should wear a shirt or lay down some fabric until they get used to the pressure. Use for 20 minutes, several times a week for best results.
On-the-Go Relief
Has three different speeds and eight concentrated Shiatsu massage nodes. Amazon
In shiatsu massage, a therapist typically uses their fingers, thumbs and palms to apply pressure to various areas of your body. That pressure promotes blood flow and relieves stress and pain. If you’re hunched in front of a computer all day or going on a long drive, an at-home back and neck massager mimics a masseuse’s touch, using heat and customizable pressure to take away tension after it builds up.
Warm-Up Must Have
This 3D textured roller features triple massage zones to replicate the fingers, thumbs and the palms of a hand. Amazon
Foam rolling can slash muscle soreness after workouts and release tension in muscles and tendons to relieve joint pain and restore range of motion. A textured roller like this one works even deeper into your muscles to massage away knots and tension. Slowly roll tender areas for 10 seconds to start, then work up to 30 to 60 seconds at a time.
Finds Trigger Points
The set includes two therapeutic balls the size of tennis balls that come in their own mesh bag. Amazon
Massage balls are versatile ways to reach—and apply pressure—to very specific trigger points around your body. We like these small ones because in addition to being used on the back and neck, they’re a perfect size for hands and feet, too.
Start at the Top
Comes in a pack of two. Amazon
A scalp massager is an easy stress reliever that feels absolutely amazing—and may even encourage blood flow to your scalp and improve the health of your hair. We like this two-pack because you have a backup—or you can share one with a friend! For best results, your scalp massage should start at the front and work towards the back with gentle yet firm and consistent pressure.