There is nothing worse at the end of a long day than to have tired aching feet. You spent all day running around the office in your best 3-inch heels and your feet are screaming about the way you abused them. Why not treat yourself to a relaxing foot massage at the end of your busy day-it will help you relax and you will feel much better. Now, all you have to do is find the time to treat yourself.

You can plan ahead and schedule a foot massage at a local spa where you will be pampered by someone for about 30 minutes. The person giving the massage should be someone who has been trained to give foot massages. Unfortunately, as soon as they are done, you must put on your shoes and go home. Or, you can take the initiative and the time to give yourself a massage in the comfort of your own home.

Begin by setting the mood. Put your favorite music on the CD player, light a few candles, and pour yourself a beverage. Find a comfortable chair or relaxing position. Start by soaking your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes in the bathtub or in a large dishpan. Add your favorite bubble bath or oil to the water-it will not only help your feet, but the aroma is soothing. Now, dry your feet completely and apply your favorite body lotion, foot cream or oil to your hands.

You can begin your massage anywhere on your feet, keeping in mind that you want to cover the entire foot from the tip of your toes to your ankle. Stroke back and forth, adding more cream, if necessary, to your hands to ensure that they slide easily over the skin.

Continue the back and forth motion of your hands and start making small circles over the soles of your feet, over the ball of the foot, along the slides and around the ankle. As you continue, flex your toes and wiggle your ankles gentle.

Use enough pressure to help the foot muscles relax, but not so much as to cause discomfort. Your foot will begin to relax as you continue your massage. Work with your toes, gently sliding your fingers between and around them.

Once you have completed your foot massage, use a soft towel to remove any excess creams and put on a pair of socks to help retain the moisture on your feet. The socks will also keep you from getting cream on your floors and carpets and may also help you avoid a slippery fall.

There is no specific time for how long your foot massage should take. You can spend 5 minutes or 30 minutes. The choice is yours-you can pay a professional to give you a foot massage or you can give yourself one. The bottom line is that you will be more relaxed and your feet will be pampered and ready for another hectic day.