For Fluffy

If you suffer from insomnia, why not give yourself  a foot massage before going to bed? The benefits of such a massage are many. Foot massages improve blood circulation which means nutrients flow and toxins  are eliminated. They also help remove lactic acid accumulation. And all of this de-stresses and facilitates falling asleep.

After my night-time tea, I give myself a foot massage.  It’s a routine I invented after reading various articles and trying various techniques. Since doing this massage, I easily fall asleep.

Begin by sitting upright with your foot on your lap. Then, using both hands, pull each toe apart from its neighboring toe (pulling one toe towards the front and the other towards the back). Pull for several seconds until you start, hopefully, to yawn. Then, after all toes have been pulled, put pressure on toe pads one by one.  I even slightly dig in with my fingernail as I find it provokes  big jaw-opening yawns.  Completely massage one foot before doing the other. Remember, you want to make yourself yawn as much as possible.

Then the next step is to massage the acupressure point LV3 (the Great Rushing) located on the dorsal. To find the point, put your finger in between the first and second toe then slide down until you hit a depression. Press here and lightly massage for 4 – 5 seconds.

Now for the K1 point (the Bubbling Spring) found on the sole at the center of the indentation right below the ball of the foot. Press for several seconds, release then press again.

When I give myself this foot massage, I start yawning.  Not tokenistic little yawns but yawns that open my jaws wide open. And the more I yawn, the better I sleep.

The reasons why we yawn are still a mystery. But it seems obvious that by provoking deep breathing, yawns open up a flow of oxygen that liberates meridian blockage and releases tension. Yawns increase the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin thus making it easier for us to fall asleep.