A Valentine to Yourself: The Power of Healing Touch

Did you know that each time the heart beats, its number one priority is to take care of itself?

Before pumping nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, the heart uses the blood supply to nourish itself first. Every time.

This extraordinary wisdom of the heart models an act of self-care we would be wise to follow in our daily lives.

What if this Valentine’s Day you made a conscious choice to treat yourself with as much TLC as you bestow on loved ones?

I’m not talking about splurging on material things, though that can sometimes be nice. What I have in mind is platonic, healing, restorative touch – along with the sensory pleasure it can bring and the innumerable health benefits it conveys.

Now touch, especially from a “stranger” – a professional, to be sure, but still someone you’re not familiar with – can be uncomfortable at first. My personal litmus test when trying out a new technique or working with a new practitioner is what I call “the subtle chill.” If I feel it, I know I’ve found a keeper. It’s as if my body bows in gratitude and says, “Thank you.”

You will know your own “this is right” feeling when it happens. Listen to what your body says.

Below are my personal top 5 ways of receiving restorative touch. As none are budget-breakers, you might even consider making them regular occurrences.

Whatever kind of treatment you try, make sure to communicate what you need. If the treatment feels too hard, too soft; if you prefer lotion to oil; if you prefer silence to music – speak up! Allowing (or making yourself) endure something you’re not enjoying defeats the purpose.

1. • Massage Clinics
     Massage students need to accrue many hours to complete their certification, so schools typically host public clinics and offer treatments at a steep discount. Students are well supervised. It’s no question that some therapists-in-training are more gifted than others, but if you’re on a budget, going this route can ensure you’ll get massage regularly. They often offer package deals. What’s great about buying a series is you’re more likely to make massage part of regular self-care. To find a nearby clinic, Google licensed massage schools in your city.

 

1. • Reflexology
     Reflexology is a practice of massage devoted entirely to the feet – where, according to Eastern medicine, every point corresponds to an organ, structure or system of the body. I’ve enjoyed reflexology while seated in a lounge chair and also while lying down. Even if your feet are ticklish, try it once. A skilled practitioner should be able to vary the pressure so that it’s pleasurable, not tickly or torturous. Most nail salons also offer foot massage for an extra fee. While the touch is typically not as skillful as that of a reflexologist, it can be very enjoyable.

 

1. • Restorative Yoga with Healing Touch
     Attending a restorative class that incorporates gentle touch can be transformative. You should always have the option to decline touch, but if you are open to it and the instructor is someone you know and trust, having gently applied hands during postures can be particularly healing and moving. It’s not unusual to release long-held emotions. I’ve shed many a tear during restorative practice – during times of sadness but also when I’ve felt deeply grateful.

 

1. • Reiki
     Reiki is hands-on energy work that, unlike massage, involves no manipulation of the body, just gentle touch either on the body or hovering just above. Sessions typically last from 45 minutes to an hour, and the fees are typically a little less than for massage. You can even find clinics where certified Reiki practitioners practice in tandem. It’s not unusual to have four people working on you simultaneously. It is heavenly! You are likely to feel a transmission of warmth and energy from the palms of the practitioners. I liken it to being plugged into a power plant.

 

• 4-Legged Love
  It was two years ago this April that my sweet Noel died a few months shy of her 21st birthday. Recently, my husband and I have started thinking about adopting a new pet. We visit shelters. We look at kittens and older cats alike. And although we’ve yet to find just the right one – the one who lets us know it belongs to us – the act of visiting shelters is a sweet and enriching experience. The act of petting an animal has been shown to reduce depression and cholesterol. It also lowers BP. If you’re lucky enough to have a pet at home that you can lavish love on, commit to spending a chunk of time daily playing, stroking or grooming your critter. You’ll both reap the benefits and deepen your ties. If you love pets, but aren’t in a position to adopt, visit a shelter – or, better yet, volunteer to help at local shelters.

As our largest organ, our skin is a powerful conduit for energy exchange and well-being. Whether experiencing gentle, loving touch with a human or pet, or enlisting the professional touch of a healing practitioner, I encourage you to regularly enjoy one (or more) of these modalities for self-care and resilience.

Heart image by Piercing the Sky, via Flickr