The Hidden Health Benefits of Massage
![Hand touching woman's back Hand touching woman's back](https://static.oprah.com/images/201103/omag/201103-omag-health-massage-1-600x411.jpg)
Photo: Levi Brown
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Four easy ways to incorporate more touch into your day.1. Work It Out
Find a hands-on form of exercise, like ballroom dance or instructor-based Pilates. Or do yoga, which Field says is a type of self-massage: "It involves pushing your limbs together and against the floor, which stimulates pressure receptors."
2. Check Your Policy
Health insurers are slowly recognizing massage not just as a therapy for injury but also as a form of preventive care. Call yours to find out if they'll cover a session or reimburse you under your flexible spending account.
3. Hug Someone
Yes, it really is that easy. "When you give a friend or family member a squeeze, you stimulate their pressure receptors as well as your own," says Field.
4. Do It Yourself
Field recommends self-massage for areas that carry tension, such as the neck, shoulders, and lower back. You can also roll a tennis ball over any sore spots, like under your feet or between your wrists.
Camille Noe Pagán's debut novel The Art of Forgetting (Dutton), is due out in June.
Find Your Happy Place
As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.