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Pick up a foam roller
Foam rollers are usually found at gyms -- they're large white or colored (often blue) tubes of hard Styrofoam. They're fairly cheap and easy to find. Use one to get the knots or "trigger points" out of your back, hips or legs. Meyer says, "lay the foam roller on the ground, and lay [horizontal] on it with your back. Use it to just roll on the areas that feel tight." And if you want to work on your glutes or legs, she says to simply lay on your side (with the roller under that side) and hold yourself up with one arm to leverage your weight on the roller.

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Comfort feet with a compress
Looking for a quick way to soothe your feet? If they're swollen and retaining water from a long day (in uncomfortable heels), then use a cold compress -- a small towel soaked in cold water. Then wrap your feet with it. If they're feeling sore, use a warm compress -- a small towel soaked in warm water. Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil and your feet will feel better in no time.

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Scrub your hands
Make washing your hands more exciting and skin boosting by adding sugar to your soap -- it'll instantly create a scrub. "Quick scrubs are invigorating," says Sharp. When I wash my hands, I'll do a scrub with it because it's more hydrating than soap. Plus, lotion will absorb better." You can make your daily body wash a scrub as well. Pick one that has an energizing scent like Suave Naturals Mango Mandarin Body Wash, $2.50 and add basic sugar to it. And for an added treat, apply a body lotion with a matching scent like Suave Naturals Mango Mandarin Body Lotion, $2.95 to hydrate skin afterwards.

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Elevate your feet
"The best thing you can do for a half an hour a day is elevate your feet," says Sharp. "Especially in the summertime, we get a lot of women that get swelling in their feet," she adds. So while you watch TV, she suggests lying down and elevating your feet above your heart each day. "It's going to free up restrictions from gravity, prevent varicose veins, and it's great for circulation," she says.

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Stretch your hands
Sharp says little stretches of the wrist or even doing circles with your ankles can help improve your day. "It's best to do little, gradual stretches before you're hurt or in need of some help," she says. Or you can make hand-stretching fun with your husband or a friend, says Meyer. Put your palm face up, then have another person put both of their hands on each side of your hand -- intertwining your fingers. Have them stretch your hand up and then massage the palm with their thumb.

Whether your life is chaotic and out of control � or calm, quiet and relaxing -- we never give ourselves enough TLC. Especially since it's in our nature to give to others, while forgetting about numero uno. That's why we turned to -- who else? The experts of soothing touch -- massage therapists: Laura Meyers from Talisker Spa at Tuhaye and Randi Sharp from the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Together they gave us quick tips that'll help you relax your muscles and your soul -- to hopefully make life a little more blissful.
BY SUSAN YARA | SHARES
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