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| Women cater to needs through pampering, relaxation |
by Brianne Beard
BEA01004@BYUI.EDU
Scroll Staff |
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You sigh as you prop your feet up on the coffee table. The day was filled with errands to run, work to attend to, meals to fix and children to manage.
Even though the days feel long, there isn’t ever enough time to catch your breath, regroup and relax.
While there isn’t a magic way to add a few hours to the end of each day, there are ways to stretch time to include pampering and rejuvenation to prepare for the rest of life’s demands.
Start by sleeping in. Sleeping in isn’t a luxury that many have on a daily basis, which is why it can be such a refreshing indulgence.
If there isn’t time to sleep in, try taking a short nap in the middle of the day instead. A little nap can often provide that extra boost needed to recuperate after a stressful chore, according to www.ivillage.com.
Another way to relax is to take a bath. Fill the tub with warm water and scented oils for a relaxing bath. After soaking in the tub, treat yourself to a pedicure or manicure, as your nails are soft and easy to shape and trim, according to www.mo.essortment.com.
When doing a pedicure, trim toenails straight across and do not cut below the toe level, as this will help to avoid ingrown nails, according to www.allsands.com.
After finishing with the trimming, try polishing nails with a light color. Following that, it is time to work on the bottom of your feet. A pumice stone will come in handy when trying to rid soles of hard spots. Feet are the hardest working part of the body and require extra attention according to www.allsands.com.
A manicure is slightly different then a pedicure in that hands are pampered instead. If fingernails are in really bad shape, spend a few minutes a day applying lotion and pushing cuticles back, so that nails are moisturized and looking clean.
Once you are ready to start a manicure, wash hands thoroughly with lukewarm, soapy water and then dry. Gently push cuticles back with a cuticle stick and trim hangnails. Cuticle oil can be applied for soft cuticle beds before applying your favorite polish, according to www.az.essortment.com
When attempting a facial, which is also very helpful in the calming process, start with a clean face and apply massage cream over your face and on your fingertips. This will enable your fingers to glide over your face without pulling the skin, according to www.jade -magazine.com.
Use only the ring finger and middle fingers to apply even, soft pressure. Massage your face rhythmically with your breathing.
Many facial massages also include exfoliation, a mask and moisturization as well.
A few other ideas that might help you relax on stressful days are: breathing exercises (deeply inhale and smoothly exhale), hire a baby-sitter to secure a few hours alone, read a book and escape to another world, go for a walk, sign up for a weekly yoga class, turn off the phone, rent a movie or indulge in your favorite foods.
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