Old Age Health Tips.

Massage Therapy For Elderly:

The following self-massage techniques can be performed at home, when instant relief is required:
1) Hand massage - With the left thumb, press the lower end of your right palm, which is below the little finger. Press using small circular motions, and move around the whole palm in clockwise direction. After covering the palm, press the fleshy part of the fingers. Repeat by massaging the left hand. This is useful for tired or aching hands.

2) Head massage - Using your ring finger or middle finger, press the temples on either side of the head, with each finger going upward and then backward. Place the thumb on the jaw for added support. Repeat with fingers just above the ears. This is especially useful for headaches.

3) Foot massage - Sit on a study chair, and rest your left ankle on the right thigh. Use thumbs to press the sole of the foot, moving towards the top, using circular movements. Cover the entire area of the foot, and the fingers to give instant relief to aching feet. Repeat with the other foot.

4) Back massage - Sit on a sturdy chair with firm back support. Place a massage or tennis ball in a sock and guide it to either side of the spine between your back and the chair. Pull the sock up or down, and press the back against the ball. Place the ball on the other side of the spine, for a quick inexpensive back rub.

Group activities:

Several group activities are organized regularly, and even you can initiate some new ones. Here is a list of group activities that can help you derive immense satisfaction, and make your post-retirement years enjoyable:

• Meeting friends - Your will instantly feel cheerful after a small chat with your friend. Try to seek out your long lost friends, and try to make brand new ones. Arrange meetings with your friends, over a cup of tea, leisurely dinner or a game of checkers. Visit your friends in nursing homes or confined due to disabilities. They will feel delighted after your visit, and you will feel contented knowing that you care.

Laughter is the best medicine, seriously-Laughter therapy is known to reduce stress hormones, increase muscle movement, boost immune system, increase disease fighting cells and proteins, and trigger release of endorphins (body's natural painkillers). In fact, laughter therapy was created in 1970s, when Norman Cousins overcame a chronic disease, a form of arthritis, by laughing at comedy clubs. Laughter provided him hours of medicine-free pain relief.
There are several ways to get a good heartfelt laughter, be it a chuckle, a giggle, a snort or a snicker. You can give out a ringing laughter, a roaring one, bubbling or a pealing one. Any way you laugh, or for any reason, laughter will help you lighten up. Laughter will increase your blood circulation, and strengthen your immune system. A few hours of laughter every day will increase your memory, thinking ability and intellectual capacity.