After a tiring day at the office, or a hectic weekend of walking or shopping, nothing beats giving your feet a relaxing workout to relieve the stress and pain. You can give yourself a foot massage in the privacy and comfort of your room or do it with your partner.

You’ll never regret knowing how to do a foot massage. Turn this affordable and all-natural stress reliever into an occasion to spend quality time alone or with your partner.

A one-hour foot massage can help you sleep better, get rejuvenated, and be ready for another hectic day at the office.

Why not start tonight? Here’s how.

What You Need

For a good foot massage, prepare the following:

• Two towels: One to wipe your hands and another to place under the feet to be massaged. Prevents oil or cream from staining the bed or the carpet.

• Lotion, cream, or oil: Health and fitness shops have products specifically for massage therapy. Lotions and creams are both oil and water mixtures, and creams are thicker than lotions.

• Foot massage creams are rich and work better to soften foot growths like calluses and corns and hardened skin. Get scented creams or lotions.

• Mint or eucalyptus scented creams or lotions are best for maximum refreshing effect on tired feet. A cheaper alternative is to buy essence of mint or eucalyptus and mix your own by placing some drops in some unscented massage cream or lotion.

• You may also use baby lotion or baby oil, but these are not as long lasting as massage lotions and creams. Just keep on dabbing the baby oil or lotion on your hands to keep them from drying out as the massage progresses.

• Nail cutter, trimming scissors, or pumice stone: You may want to trim your nails or smooth out some toes. Running your hands on your feet can help you find areas that need trimming. Keep these tools handy so you don’t have to stand up during the massage to get them.

• Massage position: You can massage your foot sitting down, with one leg on top of the other. If you are giving your partner a foot message, you can support her knee or foot on top of your thighs. Or you can place her feet close to the edge of the bed and on top of a pillow (don’t forget the towel), with you seated facing her. Look for a position that’s comfortable for you both.