Sometimes, nothing beats a foot massage. But paying for one isn’t always practical, and it’s not always easy to bribe your partner into rubbing your feet—even harder if you don’t have a partner! Fortunately, it’s easy, relaxing, and free to give yourself a foot massage.

Foot massage stimulates blood circulation, which has a positive effect on your overall wellbeing. The practice of reflexology even assigns a different organ to a different part of your foot—stimulating that area is said to improve the health and function of the respective organ!

Rubbing your feet can be a wonderful way to wake up in the morning, or to relax at the end of the day. If you’re at the beach, you can use the sand for exfoliation, then rinse your feet in the sea!

No matter where or when you give yourself a foot massage, your body, mind, and spirit will thank you for it.

You can do this massage with or without lotion or oil. If your feet are extremely dry, it can be nice to apply a rich lotion or oil while giving yourself a foot massage before bed; slip on a pair of socks to let the lotion soak in overnight.

Stuff to Know:

• Painful calluses, corns, bunions, and other foot problems can be the result of ill-fitting shoes or health issues. If you have concerns about the health of your feet, please see a podiatrist or other foot care professional.

How to give yourself a foot massage:

1. Sit comfortably wherever you like—chair, bed, floor, grass, beach, etc.
2. Rotate both of your ankles inward and outward a few times.
3. Optional: rub some lotion or oil between your hands.
4. Grasp the sole of one foot with both hands. Place your thumbs against the heel and gradually work your way toward the toes, pressing gently along the sole of your foot.
5. Place your thumbs on top of the foot next to the ankle and press your thumbs forward to the toes.
6. Gently rotate and pull each individual toe.
7. Massage the spaces between the toes.
8. One at a time, hold each toe with your thumb and index finger and apply firm pressure to three spots: the cuticle, the knuckle, and the base of the toe.
9. Make a fist and massage the sole of your foot with your knuckles.
10. Rub the top of your foot from the inner ankle to the big toe, using a circular motion with the flat of your hand. Repeat, moving from the outer ankle to your baby toe.
11. Point and flex your foot a few times.
12. Repeat steps 3–10 with the other foot.

Questions for readers:

Do you give yourself foot treatments?