College Jolt

I just finished my first month of school, and I can already fully feel the stress.  Racing to class, looking for a job, moving into my dorm, and just getting back into the groove of doing homework and other assignments  is enough for me to loose my cool. Luckily, I’ve taken a different route this year and am taking steps to control my stress levels. I’m still stressed, but finally I’m in control of it. First with a planner (yes, a student agenda), and next with self-massage techniques that I practice for all the cricks and aches that are a result of my poor posture and being in class and work all day.  I’m nineteen going on ninety.

Below are some self-message techniques  from Livestrong.com that will work in a pinch if you don’t have the time or the funds to get a full body message. I know I don’t. Therefore, these are a godsend for the days you can’t get out of bed, voluntary or involuntary.

Shoulders:

1. Stroke right shoulder with your left hand. Starting at the base of your skull, stroke down the side of your neck, over you shoulder and down your arm to the elbow. Glide back to your neck and repeat at least 3 times. Do other side.

2. Make circular pressures with your fingertips on either side of the spine. Work up the neck and around the base of the skull. Then squeeze  and release the flesh on each shoulder and at the top of arm.

3.Finish by stroking smooth with both hands. Start with hands on the side of face and glide them gently down under your chin. Slide hands past each other at the front of the neck, so that each hand is on the opposite shoulder. Stroke gently over your shoulders, down arms, and off at the fingertips. Repeat.

Feet

1. Put one hand on the top of your foot and other under the sole. Stroke smoothly from your toes to your ankle. Glide your hands back to your toes and repeat.

2. Support your foot with one hand and work each toe individually. Squeeze each toe firmly, and gently stretch with a gentle pull.

3. With one thumb on top of the other, do a line of firm pressures down the center of the sole and lines on either side. Then with one thumb, do circular pressures on the arch and ball.

4. Support your foot with one hand and make the other into a loose fit. Do knuckling movements all over the sole by rippling your fingers around in small circular movements.

5. Still holding your foot with one hand, hold the sole with your other hand. Flick your hand away the moment you touch your foot.

6. Stroke around the ankle with your fingertips, as you stroke up toward the leg and gently as you glide back. Finish by stroking the foot as you did the beginning.

These self-massage techniques should help you get through another month of classes and stay sane at the same time.

Photos courtesy of Google Images.