To help you heal and rejuvenate your body this year, Inspirations & Celebrations‘ Fitness Contributor, Jacqueline Hinton (a Los Angeles based Pilates instructor and the CEO of the Pilates lifestyle brand Good Citizen) shares 4 self-care activities that relax, restore, and renew your body.

2018 is here, and your New Year’s resolutions have been made. Some will stick, and unfortunately, some will fall by the wayside. Out of all of these resolutions, we ultimately want to take better care of our body, mind, and soul. So adopt these affordable daily self-care rituals to take better care of yourself and start the new year off right.  

Foam Rolling

If you don’t own a foam roller, stop what you’re doing and go to Amazon and order one right now. The benefits of foam rolling are endless, including improving mobility and flexibility and removing lactic acid from sore muscles. Foam rolling can also be used as a workout tool that can relieve pain from sitting all day, as it breaks up scar tissue. Foam rolling also helps prevent injury and helps you recover faster after a workout. It’s a great way to wake up your body in the morning, give you a mid-day boost, and ease those sore muscles at the end of your day.

Move

It sounds simple, but basic movement benefits your body in so many ways. From improving blood flow to your muscles to alleviating aches and pains, just simply moving is a great way to get your life going. Movement has also been shown to improve your mood and fight anxiety. Before your work week starts, take time to plan out your movement schedule. And remember, any movement is good movement. From a brisk walk in the park to a dance class, or even a bike ride around your neighborhood, just moving will get your body revving. And don’t forget to stretch afterward with that foam roller you just got!

Body Brushing 

Body brushing is an ancient practice used by many cultures throughout history. The Egyptians, Indians, Greeks and Romans, and the Chinese (just to name a few), all realized the benefits of this ancient technique. Using a body brush removes dead skin and opens clogged pores while improving blood circulation to the skin. Routine use encourages the mobilization of lymphatic fluids, which in turn, draws away toxic wastes that contribute to the formation of cellulite. Important note: always brush from the feet upwards, towards the waist, and from right to left in small circular strokes to help move toxins through the lymph nodes. Make sure and brush before you get into the shower for up to five minutes. It’s like a daily mini-cleanse! 

Epsom Salt Bath

Taking an Epsom salt bath is a cheap and easy way to indulge in some BIG time self-care. Not only is taking a warm bath relaxing but adding Epsom salt can loosen stiff joints and relax sore muscles, easing stress and relaxing the entire body. Other benefits of an Epsom salt bath include relieving pain and muscle cramps, helping muscles and nerves function properly, and eliminating toxins from the body, which allow for a better night’s sleep. The benefits of an Epsom salt bath are many. Make sure and read the directions on the bag on how much to add and soaking times. 

For more self-care and fitness tips, visit the Fitness section on Inspirations & Celebrations.

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Fitness Contributor: Jacqueline Hinton

[Image credits: Shutterstock]