Did you know that good sex can help reduce stress?

Having sex is a physical and emotional experience. However, in the modern time, stress is inevitable and a part of our daily life. Not only does stress decrease your vitality, weaken your immune system, it can also lead to a number of stress-related problems such as depression, lethargy, hypertension, strokes, ulcers and muscular aches! Stress is also believed to affect sexual response among women and causes impotence among men. Stress hinders total physical and emotional relaxation between the couple and will cause conscious and unconscious tensions, putting the relationship at risk.

So how can you combat stress and enjoy a healthier and happier sex life all over again?

Massage has been used since the early days to reduce stress, muscle tension, stimulates the body muscle and to promote a relaxed body and mind. Since massage involves body contact, it can promote sexual desire among couples and be good on the relationship as well. Massage makes you sexy and makes your partner feels sexy. So pick up a tip or two on massaging and it might help you improve your sex life altogether!

Preparations

If you do not have a massage table, find a comfortable spot on the floor where it is carpeted and spacious enough to maneuver around. Prepare blanket, pillows and extra towels before you begin. The room should be well ventilated and quiet (no interruptions or distractions of any kind) with soft lighting and background music. Aromatic candles or aromatherapy oils will help relax the mind as well.

The Massage

Before you begin, ask your partner to relax his/her body and mind and allow you to make all the movement. Next, gently place your hands over your partner's shoulder. This will give him/her time to relax into the warmth and contact of your touches and help the body register it as the beginning of the massaging process.

Then, take your partner's hands, one at a time and rock it gently and rhythmically back and forth, up and down. This will help him/her relax and release muscles' tension.

After that, ask your partner to lie down with his/her hands at the side, head resting to one side. Make sure he/she is both comfortable and warm. Start massaging.

Techniques

You don't have to be a certified masseur to give good massage. A few different massaging techniques are all you need to start off with. All stroking techniques are best used in the beginning and end of a massage session. Kneading should be done on the second stage before moving on to pressure and knuckling techniques.

• Fan Stroking

  One of the basic body massage techniques, fan stroking requires you to place your hands, palms down on the side of the partner's body. Gently slide upward by leaning into it with a straight back. When you reach the shoulders, fan out your fingers and glide them down the side of the body before releasing the pressure and returning back to the original position. Once you have a grip on this, you might want to try alternating one hand at a time using the same motions.

• Circular Stroking

  While both hands work on the same side of a body, one hand will complete a full circle motion while the other applies a half circle motion. Similar to fan stroking, this should be done in a steady rhythm.

• Thumb Stroking

  This technique is good for releasing tension at small areas like the back of the neck. Place both your hands on the body and stroke firmly upward and out with your left thumb. Then repeat this motion at a higher level with your right thumb. Repeat the motions in a smooth flow.

• Basic Kneading

  This technique is supposed to induce relaxation. The motion should be the same as kneading dough. It's best executed on fleshy areas.

• Circular Pressure

  Start by moving your thumbs gently in a circular motion and then gradually increasing the pressure. Once you are done, gently glide your thumb to the next area and repeat.

• Static Pressures

  This technique is good for releasing tension at the neck, shoulders, back, and feet area. Just place your thumbs on the area and slowly lean your body in to help increase pressure. Once you are done, move slowly to the next point. Make sure you never push your fingernails into your partner's flesh!

• Knuckling

  Use your knuckles to apply small rippling movements on the shoulders, chest, palms and feet. This technique of massage should be applied with pressure, but without causing any pain to your partner.

Complete your massage with gentle pummeling, chopping and cupping at the back. When you are done, ask your partner to turn his/her body facing up. Now, using your fingertips, gently massage your partner's scalp in small circular motion to release the pressure. If these body massaging techniques are used correctly, your partner can reach a state of total mind and body relaxation and doze off.

NOTE: You might come across hard areas on the shoulder called "knotted tissues". These areas are usually quite painful and are caused by deposits of waste trapped in tight muscles. Some kneading movements (applying pressure with your thumb and working in a small circular movement around the areas between the shoulder blade and spine and at the base of the neck) will do the trick of "dissolving" and dispersing it back into the body system for its natural elimination process.

Reminder:

• Avoid working on joint areas like the shoulder blade and spine.
• Avoid working on open wounds, inflamed skin, infectious disease or skin condition.
• Avoid working on recent surgeries and injuries.
• The more pressure you apply, the slower you should massage.
• Massage oil should be well rubbed and massaged thoroughly into the skin.