Nine Ways to Pamper Yourself in a Pinch

There are women all over this country who feel like they’ve lost themselves somewhere along the way of life. While their reasons are many, the answers are all the same, “There’s just not enough time in the day for me.”

Without adding that 25th (or even 26th or 27th) hour to your day, there are little things you can do to incorporate the four R’s (we’ll get to these later) of pampering into your daily routine. Remember when you had all day to and for yourself? You’d sit and perhaps do your hair or nails for hours. Boy were those the days. That was then though and this is now. Whether it’s your career, children, or other priorities, taking time out for you is more essential than what you think.

When you feel good, you have the ability to make those around you feel good. If you feel dreadful and unoptimistic about yourself, those around you will of course pick up on this. For example, have you ever noticed the mom at the supermarket who seems frazzled that all three of her children just happen to be misbehaving at the same time? This is usually because they’ve picked up on her stress and went with it. One is crying in the front of the cart and two are at the end of the aisle fighting while the mom is all but losing it trying to find her credit card or checkbook to pay for her groceries and hightail it out of there.

Feeling good and feeling good about yourself definitely has its benefits. To you, and those around you. For some reason, thinking about pampering yourself in this light helps us to place a priority on it. If we feel it will help us take care of our family better, do our jobs better, or be a better person, we’re all for it.

Taking time out to relax, refresh, renew, and revitalize doesn’t have to mean three hours a day for complete alone time. Here are ten little ways in which you can incorporate them into your daily life:

1. While running errands, or doing yard work, play a relaxing CD rather than an upbeat one. This will not only soothe your mind, but your soul as well. (This trick works will young children and falling asleep or calming down in the vehicle as well.)
2. While the children are napping or getting ready to come home from school, grab a quick face mask, apply, and then lay back in silence for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off the mask, and get ready for a great second-half of the day.
3. Have a home office? A plug-in scent diffuser with essential oils will help with little whiffs of pleasantness throughout the day. Do a little research on which oils appeal to you and you are on your way. If plug-ins aren’t your thing, all-natural candles and scents may be just way you need.
4. After the children are in bed, hubby is busy or not home for the evening, seize this opportunity for all its worth. Grab a relaxing CD, some candles, and go draw a nice warm bath. Soak for at least 15-30 minutes in the dark. Afterward, you’ll still have time for sugar scrubs or any other products you rarely get to use.
5. Warm up a spa neck pillow and watch some TV while your senses unwind.
6. Keep your favorite sugar scrub next to your hand soap and give yourself a mini-manicure. This literally takes less than thirty seconds and gives your hands the go signal for the rest of the day.
7. When stressed to the max, secure yourself a ME time block. This can be day or night, weekend or weekday. No one is going to regret that you need a break. Personal coaches that cost thousands of dollars to obtain, place this first on their list of things to do for their clients. You are getting the information for free. Save the money and purchase some new pampering goodies.
8. Drink lots of water and walk. Water helps flush your system of impurities and walking helps keep your physically and mentally refreshed. Offer to walk the dog from now on or if you are already the family dog-walker, make it a point to think about all the things in your life that make you happy or you are blessed with. Make your walks positive with a rule of no negative thoughts.
9. Quick showers are great refreshers, but what if you life depends on how quickly you can get in and out? Sugar scrubs are a great 30-second revitalizer. Apply all over after washing and just allow shower to rinse it away. The shine and softness will last all day long and you’ll feel and smell great.

Pampering your body and soul are self-created. No one can do this for you. However, the benefits are multiple and you deserve it.