How to Pamper Yourself When You're Busy (and broke)

Sooo August is already almost over and this is literally the first time this month I've actually had a minute to look at this blog let alone post on it.  Doctor appointments for my son, job hunting, finals for my last class at my old school and transferring schools have left me without time to breathe let alone blog.  This got me thinking, how do you relax when you barely have time to breathe, and are broke on top of it.  Here are a few easy and cheap ways to take time for yourself and help feel a little refreshed.

1.  Take a Looong Hot Shower
Whenever I feel completely stressed out and frazzled I take a long hot shower and almost immediately feel better. 

I know conventional wisdom is soak in a tub, but for me its shower time all the way.  Baths just don't do it for me.  I never feel really clean after a bath.  Showers on the other hand leave me feeling clean, relaxed and refreshed.  For a full out pampering try brushing your hair thoroughly while your water is warming up, this will stimulate your scalp and helps to relieve headaches.  Then apply conditioner thoroughly through your hair.  When you get in the  shower rinse your hair and let the water pour over you.  Exfoliate your skin.  Great way to relax and refresh at the same time.  I use the Victoria's Secret citrus scrubs, but there are several drugstore brands that are just as good and less expensive.  Or make your own scrub with 1 part baby oil and 2 parts sugar (anywhere from a few tablespoons to a cup of salt or sugar in a container. Place half that amount of oil.) in a cup and mix well.  Don't freak out if the salt settles to the bottom. It's virtually impossible to keep it mixed. Now just use loofah mitts or a loofah sponge. I like the exfoliating gloves that you get in health food stores. They work very well to scrub away the top layer of dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling super soft. If you don't have a bath mitt, don't worry, you can use your hands.  Take a spoonful of the mixture into your palms or your gloves and then rub the mixture all over your body in a circular motion. For tougher areas such as the knees, soles and elbows, spend extra scrubbing time or cut a lemon in half and pour sea salt on the halves, scrubbing your soles, elbows and knees with the lemon.Very refreshing and super clean feeling.  When you're done dry off with a huge fluffy towel and end with super rich lotion to keep your skin soft.  Now if you don't have enough time or just don't want to do all this an alternative is a warm shower using lavender wash.  Lavender has been proven to be very relaxing.  When I've had a stressful day and no time

to relax I use Johnson's baby bedtime bath.  It smells good, it's gentle and soothing.  And at around $4.00 a bottle affordable too.  Now i know a lot of you would rather relax in the tub than the shower.

 I understand.  Follow the exfoliation routine and add your favorite bubble bath or bath salts, lean back and relax.  You can make your own bath milk with a cup of milk and a few drops of honey.  Soothing and softening.

2.  Do a Facial
A facial is a great way to relax and take care of your skin all at the same time.  I found a great routine that I use

 whenever I have time.  Start with a milk cleanser.  This is gentle on your skin and non drying.  I use Say Yes to Cucumbers milk cleanser.  Massage the cleanser into your face for about 2 minutes.  Don't rinse.  Take a large washcloth or hand towel and soak in hot water put over your face and let it absorb the cleanser.  This opens pores and draws out impurities.  Next exfoliate.  Use a non abrasive exfoliate cleanser, I use Say Yes to Carrots Exfoliant you can also make your own out of uncoated aspirin.  Aspirin is made of salicylic acid which is a natural exfoliant.  Crush 3 pills mix with water massage into face.  Massage face for 2 minutes then rinse with cool water and pat dry.  Now apply your facial.  Choose one that is appropriate for your skin type. They're available at most drug stores or beauty supply stores.  Let facial sit for 15 minutes.

While your facial is setting lay down and relax.  Let your mind and worries go.  You will feel refreshed trust me.  After 15 minutes don't rinse your face instead use a towelette to wipe mask off.  This keeps your skin moist.  I use Say Yes to Blueberries moisturizing towelettes.  Now apply moisturizer and you're done.  Altogether takes about 30 minutes.

3.  Get Lost in a Book
Reading a good book is a great way to de-stress and forget your worries.  Find a page turning mystery or

thriller, a good romance novel some chick lit, a biography or whatever else interests you and spend a few mindless hours getting lost in someone else's problems. 

If you're not that into reading try magazines instead.  Stock up on the latest fashion, fitness, celebrity or whatever else you might want and flip through the pages reading whatever catches your eye.  Great way to get your mind off your worries.

4.  Do Some Gentle Yoga
Yoga is great for everything and gentle yoga stretches are known to help relax and unwind.  They also help

with a better nights sleep.  There are several free yoga practices on You Tube.  From beginner to advanced.  They have everything from yoga to help unwind after work to bedtime yoga.  This is one of my favorites, its 30 minutes but it works. Bedtime Yoga Sequence 




5.  Spend One Day Doing Nothing
I know this isn't an option for everyone but if possible choose one day and do nothing.  No grocery shopping

no chores nothing.  Be lazy all day.  Watch t.v. watch a movie, sleep late and stay in bed all day if you want.  Stay in your pajamas all day.  Just don't do anything.  Its relaxing and refreshing and you really will feel better the next day.  Spend the whole day literally being lazy.  Blog, play games read, eat and sleep. 

Just relax.  Tomorrow will come soon enough....


*IAll Pictures are from Google and Pinterest