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learn about your attitudes to cleansing, caring for and massaging your body

Looking after your body is generally talked about in terms of eating and exercise. Giving yourself time to enjoy cleansing, caring and massaging is not often highlighted in this way. However if you think about it, keeping clean, caring for and enjoying the feel of your body is an integral part of healthy living. It is often done almost by accident or as a chore. I suggest you take time to do it 'on purpose'.

Most homes today have at least one bath and many have shower units as well. The range of pleasant smelling bathing products and skin perfumes on offer is gargantuan. Experiment with different fragrances. Think about the ambience of the room you are in for your cleansing. How about a change of decor? Could the lighting be more relaxing? Have you ever tried taking a bath by candlelight? How about introducing some water music!

Use your cleansing time to get to know your body better, particularly if you are embarking on a healthy eating and healthy exercise way of life - you can enjoy seeing the improvements as you go along. Also make a monthly check for any irregularities. If you are female check your breasts thoroughly and if you are male check your testes. If you notice anything unusual consult your GP. Note any moles and skin blemishes. The important thing here is to notice if there are changes. For example, moles which bleed, change colour or itch should be reported to your doctor.

Likewise, warts in the genital region should be treated by a qualified medical practitioner who will also recommend a cervical smear test for women. This is a precautionary measure to check for abnormal cells at the neck of the womb which sometimes occur in conjunction with the human genital wart virus. This particular virus is now endemic in the sexually active population aged under 30 and is therefore not a stigma. It is quite possible for the virus to be present without any sign of actual warts. A simple test can determine this. Other genital urinary problems, including unpleasant discharges should be reported to your GP or the GUM [Genital Urinary Medicine] Clinic of your local hospital where your confidentiality will be respected [you don't even have to give your real name].

It goes without saying that you should never have unprotected sex with anyone other than your regular partner. Dealing with these matters is simply part of being a responsible human being who takes care of their body - it's the only one you've got. There are lots of pleasant things you can do with it too! One of them is to develop your sense of touch.

Medical research has come up with the interesting finding that stroking a pet increases your chances of recovering from a heart attack. The relaxing influence of the tactile sense is assumed to play a part. The importance of person to person touch is only just beginning to be recognised in the UK. As opposed to our continental neighbours, we British are not the most tactile of people. The post war generation is, however, waking up to the benefits of touch.

If your partner, family member or friends are available, you can take it in turns to deliver a massage which is most relaxing and therapeutic. [NB I am not referring here to massage of a sexual nature or for serious physiotherapeutic reasons.] There are many books on the subject of massage some of which will come under the heading of aromatherapy. As with bathing, you can involve the sense of smell by introducing essential oils or perfumed body lotion.

It is important that you feel comfortable either receiving or delivering the massage. That means being psychologically happy about it and being physically comfortable in terms of your standing position, your bending position or your lying position. It also means that the room temperature should be conducive to relaxation. Even if the room temperature is pleasant, cold hands or cold body lotion onto a warm back can invoke immediate tenseness - exactly the opposite effect than the desired relaxation and bodily enjoyment.

The following cleansing, caring and touching questions are very general. Your personal health is totally individual so you may want to ask yourself questions which are not listed here. Feel free to investigate yourself fully - personal intuition on this subject is a far better indicator than prescribed wisdom. The person to benefit from such an examination is you!

• Do I spend enough time washing my body?
  
• Do I take pleasure in the washing process?
  
• Do I see bathing together as an enjoyable part of my personal relationship with my partner?
  
• What improvements can I make to the room[s] in which I cleanse my body?
  
• Am I prepared to spend time cleansing my lungs of stale air?
  
• Am I aware of my excretory functions and are they healthy?
  
• Do I perspire excessively?
  
• Does my bladder function normally?
  
• Do I have regular bowel movements?
  
• Are my sexual habits conducive to my body's cleanliness?
  
• Do I check my body regularly for anything unusual?
  
• Am I quite happy to consult my GP about my personal bodily functions?
  
• Can I use massage as a stress-buster?

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