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The best time to detox, diet or try out a new lifestyle isn't the coldest, darkest, longest month, but in Spring time, so keep those New Year's resolutions safe until then.

In the meantime, some simple self massage techniques along with exercise and winter warmers of the non-alcoholic sort, are the best way to show your body and mind some self love.

Keeping warm

 A hot bath, a new blanket and some fluffy slippers. Although the shortest day may have passed, winter is still very much upon us and instead of fighting the urge to snuggle down, now is the perfect time to embrace the cold season and hibernate at home.

Foot Massage

A bath is the perfect place to practise self massage, and feet are one of the best places to start. The trick to making massage really relaxing is to slow right down. Whether you are practising on a loved one or yourself, try working into muscles much more slowly as this will allow for deeper work without the pain, plus it relaxes your mind at the same time. Knuckles are a great tool to use on heavy, tired feet. As many of our calf muscles join onto the soles of our feet, tight legs also means tight feet. Feet muscles tend to be quite tough, so avoid using fingers and thumbs as this will tire your hands and make them hurt. Instead use knuckles and palms to release tension.

Massage Accessories

Trigger point pilates balls and foam rollers are a fantastic way to lengthen and reduce tension in tight and tense muscles. Invest in both and keep using them – make it part of your evening routine, 20 minutes a day can make a huge difference. Ideally attend some trigger point pilates classes to learn how to use them properly. Improper use can make some issues worse, but once you know what you are doing, you can keep on top of tight and sore muscles at home between massage sessions. Think of this as a mini deep tissue massage!

Book a Massage

Often we spend December in a rushed bubble, culminating in two crazy weeks of festivities. The first few weeks of the New Year spent back at work, school and normality results in lowered immune systems, stress and the dreaded January Blues. Instead of denying yourself the things you love; a glass of wine, chocolate, the end of the cheese board, and therefore making the start of the year even harder to bear, try treating yourself to some self love. Book in a massage and make these winter months about looking after yourself, and putting yourself first.

Annie Johansen, Massage Therapist at Bristol Massage Therapy