You’re the first one up and the last one to bed. In between, you wipe up spills and noses, scrub, fold, clean and put away a majillion things.
Shouldn’t there be one day set aside just for you? You can give yourself a day of pampering by creating your own spa day at home.
Find a sitter for the kids and arrange it so they’re away from home for the day. Plan your spa day in advance and gather up all the ingredients you need ahead of time.
Here are 10 steps to a more pampered you.
1. Mood and atmosphere
Be sure all your commitments, chores and responsibilities are taken care of ahead of time or arranged to be put on hold.
Have all your spa supplies on hand. Put some relaxing music on - jazz, classical or soothing instrumental. Light some aroma candles. Open the blinds, stash away all clutter, and pretend you’re in a place where someone else is in charge.
2. Breakfast
If your morning usually starts out with a meal of Becky’s leftover toast crusts and whatever apple juice is left in Brian’s sippy cup, you’ll want to plan a nice breakfast for your spa day. Try a fruit smoothy for a light, healthy eye-opener.
Fruit Smoothy: Combine 1 cup vanilla yogurt, 1 cup ice cubes, ½ cup fresh strawberries and ½ banana (or any combination of fruit you like) in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Take your smoothy, the newspaper or whatever book you’ve been meaning to read, and get out of the kitchen. If it’s a nice morning, go outside; if not, sit in the living room, dining room or back in bed.
3. Morning Warm-Up
Pop in a stretching, yoga or light exercise video and spend 20-30 minutes warming up your body for the day. Focus on stretching, limbering, balance and breathing exercises. You’re at the spa, not the gym. You shouldn’t be sweating today.
Suite 101 writer Kim Kankiewicz recommends some stretching videos in her article Best Workout Videos.
4. Facial
Leaning over the steaming, just-opened dishwasher doesn't count. Suite 101’s Home & Garden page has tips on how to do an all natural steam facial and a green clay facial mask.
5. Feet
Spend 30 minutes on your feet. Soak them in sea salts or Epsom salts, then use a pumice stone to soften rough spots. Oatmeal is a good natural food scrub.
6. Nap
You’ve worked so hard today, you deserve a rest! Take a 20-minute nap with your feet elevated and a cool, soothing compress on your eyes (or cucumber slices if you’ve always had a secret desire to do that). If you don’t want to sleep, take a 20-minute rest and concentrate on total relaxation, starting with the top of your head and moving down to the tips of your toes. (Don’t be surprised if you’re asleep by mid-thigh.)
7. Lunch
Treat yourself to a light lunch. A tossed salad, veggies and dip, chicken salad on a bed of lettuce, or fresh fruit will hit the spot.
8. Hands
Busy hands need pampering. Suite 101 writer Chrissy Dolezal has all you need for an at-home manicure in How to Do a Manicure. Feel free to put a movie in the DVD player to watch while your nails are drying, preferably one of your favorites that you husband doesn’t ever want to watch.
9. Bath and body works
Fill the tub and add bath salts, bubbles or that bath oil that’s been collecting dust since Aunt Edna gave it to you Christmas 2001. Treat yourself from head to toe with body lotion.
10. Walk outside
Take a brisk, 10 minute walk outdoors to get ready for your brood to return home bringing with them your old life. (Remember? The one with the wiping and the folding?)
Need more than just a day at the spa to handle your busy life? See Stay-at-Home Parent Survival Guide.
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