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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.

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Learn some reflexology
Spending an hour each day rubbing your legs, hands and feet would be fabulous, but so not realistic. Taking just five minutes to massage your hands and feet -- paying attention to certain pressure points, can give you benefits that will last for about 48 hours, says Sharp. For hands, she says to make quick dabbing motions, while tracing a line from the tip of each finger to your palm to help circulation. For sore spots, add solid pressure and press on the area for a couple of minutes to break up toxin buildup. For the feet, she says to rub on the top, right in front of the ankle because there is a lymphatic point there. "The rubbing will increase circulation and flush the system," she says.

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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