It seems that life is so busy with many obligations. Moreover, there are many outside stressors from juggling work, family, social pressures, political pressures and not to mention that we are in a global pandemic. It is so important that you take some time for yourself. Some say it is important to dedicate an afternoon a week or even a day a week for yourself, but I find that can be a challenge in itself. I believe you can carve out a few minutes out of each day for yourself. When you have more time available you can give yourself an entire afternoon or day off to relax! I am including a few simple ideas that will help you unwind when you feel as twisted as a knot.
Massage:
A massage only takes an hour a day and the benefits are endless. Not only does a massage help you physically relax but paired with soft music and aromatherapy, a massage helps your brain shut off. Massages increase circulation, reduce tension, relieve muscle soreness, etc. If you are concerned about the cost, most massage franchises offer an introductory rate for first-time customers, then you can decide it is worth adding the cost to your budget. If massages are not in the budget, then grab your significant other or caring friend for a quick 10-minute shoulder massage because any little bit helps.
Hot Bubble Bath:
Some find a hot bath in itself very relaxing; however, I recommend adding your favorite brand of bubbles to take your hot bath up a notch. Bath and Body Works has a wonderful foam bath named Aromatherapy: Stress Relief that smells wonderful and helps you unwind quickly. The nice thing about taking a bath is that you can make it as long or as short as you need it to be, but I would certainly aim for at least 15 minutes. You can add another layer of relaxation by enjoying a nice glass of wine while you soak and let your cares drift away. (Click the picture to shop the post.)
Read A Good Book:
Nothing turns off your mind to the outside world like being immersed in a good book. There are so many to choose from out there! If you can’t decide on a book ask a friend or check out the New York Times Best Seller list. You can also check out Amazon reviews or the Good Read website. Two books that I recommend are Where the Crawdad’s Sing by Delia Owens. The entire book was excellent and the ending was completely not expected! Recently, I read Home Before Dark by Riley Sager in the spirit of it being almost Halloween, and it did not disappoint! This book will keep you hooked until the very end. Both these books and many more are found on Amazon. (Click the picture to shop the post.)
Binge-Watch Your Favorite Show
Now the term “binge-watch” on its own means you should set aside many hours to watch every episode of your favorite show. There are plenty of view options including new original series on various media sites such as Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime. You can even watch your favorite show on your local affiliate apps such as ABC, NBC, CBS, etc. If you can’t finish an entire series, then schedule a couple of hours on the weekend or at the end of an evening. My husband and I are currently watching Schitt$ Creek on Netflix. It is not only hysterical but won many Emmy awards this season. I highly recommend it!
Mani & Pedi:
Nothing beats a salon manicure and pedicure. You can easily fit it into your weekend and typically a massage is included in the price. I enjoy sitting in the massage chair while soaking my feet in hot water. Depending on the day and the time I have available, I also will savor a glass of wine. (Do you notice a reoccurring theme?) I have tried all the manicure options you can possibly try and my personal favorite is gel polish; however, I like to change my finger polish weekly so I tend to paint my own nails every other week. I find that the art of polishing your nails can be very relaxing and I love a job well done when I finished. A shiny and quick dry top coat hides any imperfections caused during the application process. I have a few suggestions for my favorite top coat (available on Amazon) as well as my favorite nude and a dark color nail polish recommendation for the fall season! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! (Click the picture to shop the post.)
Walk:
You may be thinking that a walk may be too exhausting after a long day at work or school, but there are so many benefits to walking that you shouldn’t overlook it. A calm paced walk can lighten your mood, improve your sleep, improve your circulation, and allows your mind to flow free of all it’s all the stuff it has collected throughout the day. You can walk by yourself listening to some of your favorite music or a podcast. I also enjoy walking with my family! With fall approaching, and the weather cooling off, get out there and appreciate your surroundings!
One thing is for certain you can’t relax if you don’t make it a point to unwind. You have to make it a priority. As you can see many of the suggested ideas don’t take much time out of your day, you simply have to take the time for yourself. If you have other ways of unwinding and washing of the day, let me know in the comment section below.
Love this!! Way to go friend!??