Health - Fitness

Five-Minute Tension Tamers

Stop stress with these simple moves

By Meghan Rabbitt, Parenting
 
 
See Also
Simple ways to make your life with kids - and their life with you - easier and more fun - Parenting.com
Easy ways to keep your child smiling - Parenting.com
Slow down your pulse, lower your blood pressure, and tame tension -- in no time - Parenting.com
With a little bit of effort you can turn that frown upsidedown - Parenting.com
Ideas to create a place of your own to relax and de-stress - Parenting.com
Give Sore Arms a Hand
Tired from lifting your kid? Try a compression-decompression move, says Denise Borrelli, Ph.D., spokesperson for the American Massage Therapy Association:
•Place the palm of your right hand on the upper part of your left arm, just below the shoulder; squeeze for three seconds and release.
•Move your palm down an inch; squeeze for three seconds and release.
•Continue to squeeze and release down to your wrist.
•Repeat with your left hand on your right arm.

Headache Helper
Use a technique called the Chinese hair pull, says Borrelli. It'll bring more oxygen and blood flow to the scalp, calming the muscles and nerves that cause pain:
•Using both hands, spread your fingers and run them through your hair, pulling locks up and away from your scalp.
•Close fingers an inch above your scalp, grabbing onto hair.
•Move hands back and forth quickly in a vibrating motion while pulling your hair upward.
•Do this for 30 seconds, then move on to a different part of your scalp and repeat.

Relax Your Back
Belly dancing does the trick, stretching and toning abdominal and back muscles, says Vincent Cipolla, assistant clinical professor of osteopathic manipulation at Michigan State University, in East Lansing:
•Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and pretend you're facing a giant clock.
•Tilt your pelvis up toward 12 o'clock, tucking your butt in. Release. Move your pelvis back toward 6 o'clock, then 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock.
•Continue to tilt your pelvis toward all of these points, varying the order. Once that gets easier, try moving your pelvis to the "clock's" other numbers, in any order.

Want Happy Feet?
This reflexology technique soothes foot muscles:
•Sitting, put your left foot in your lap, says Borrelli.
•With the knuckle of your right index finger, press below your big toe for two seconds; release.
•Move your knuckle down just a bit, press for two seconds, and release. Continue down your foot to your heel, keeping in line with your big toe.
•Do the same press-and-release "walk" down imaginary lines from each toe to your heel; then switch feet and repeat.



PRINT
Quick Poll

Adult toys in the bedroom -- a do or a don't?

Yes, yes, yes!
Sure, in theory, but I'd be too embarrassed!
No way. We're lovers not porn-stars.


ADVERTISEMENT
Popular on Parenting.com
Popular on Parenting.com
 
Photo Galleries

20 Mom Tattoos

You asked for them! 20 more inked-up mamas, Parenting readers, and staff members and the personal stories behind their skin art

promotion
 
Birthday Parties

31 Amazing Birthday Cakes

Blog: The Split

Evie: "Should I think about dating? I know there's no exactly right or wrong answer, but I'm wondering: Can you be separated and single at the same time?" Updated frequently.

Blog: Family Budget Boot Camp

Denene at My Brown Baby: "Even if Angelina wanted to find new ways to care for and style her African baby girl's hair, surely, she'd be at a loss, 'cause I sure am. And so we are left to our own devices. Black child hair care ain't easy." Updated Frequently!

Toys of the Year

We're giving away over $900 worth of the best toys! Enter BOTH giveaways once a day until December 14
Facebook

Overheard on Facebook

Donna: "I also got pregnant while planning my wedding. She was four months old when we said I do and I wouldn't have had it any other way :)"