Give Your Spouse a Relaxing Massage at Home

Treat your spouse to a well-prepared massage.  Help them relax and ease the tension from a long hard day.

Begin by learning proper massage technique.  You can take massage classes from a massage therapy school or you can find training DVD videos online.  It is important not to hurt your spouse by using improper techniques.  Also, do not attempt a hot stone therapy unless you know what you are doing.

Purchase the necessary equipment.  At very least have a massage table, some linens, and some massage oil.  Find a quiet room in your home where you can avoid the outside world for at least an hour.  Take the phone off the hook and if you have children, let them stay with a relative for a few hours.  The goal is to achieve uninterrupted quiet time with your spouse.  Prepare the room by setting up the table and covering the windows with blankets to block any outside light.  Turn on some relaxing music.  Soft piano music is perfect for this or even some soft nature sounds.  Be sure to turn the music down very low.  Put a glass of ice water in the freezer so that it has time to become very cold.  A heated massage table pad is a nice touch because it feels much better to lay naked on a table when it is warm.  Light some scented candles or burn some scented oil to appeal to their sense of smell.  Do not wear any jewelry or strong cologne or perfume.

Before you begin, find out if your spouse has any trouble areas, like shoulders, neck, or back that are bothering them.  Then, while giving the massage, do not speak if you can help it.  Your spouse will tell you whether the pressure you’re applying is too weak or too strong.  Be mindful of your posture while giving the massage.  You can very easily hurt your back if you are not careful.  Breathe deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth while you massage them.  The sound of your breathing will help to relax them.  Take your time and massage their entire body.  When you are finished, let them lay still and relax for awhile.

When the massage is finished, offer your spouse the cold water and be sure to extinguish the candles.  They may experience dizziness or even nausea after the massage.  If this is the case, care for them and keep the house quiet for as long as possible.  Take turns giving and receiving massages and make it a monthly or even weekly routine.