Three Ways to Pamper Yourself
The hardest part about being a working mom is that have about a million responsibilities, pulling you in a billion directions, and most of them are to everyone but yourself. As a result, your body and mind have taken a beating.
Well, you know how on a plane, when the flight attendants do their demonstration, they always tell people to put on their own oxygen mask before helping someone else? That’s because, sometimes, in order to be the best you can for someone else, you have to take care of yourself first.
Top Ways to Pamper Yourself
Have a Serious Makeover
There are several non-surgical cosmetic procedures that can be done in one day and are amazingly affordable.
- Microdermabrasion can remove dull skin and fine lines, making you look less like you barely got five hours sleep in five nights, and more bright, alert, and wrinkle-free diva.
- Laser hair removal can take care of that pesky mustache that seemed to pop up overnight.
- Botox can remove the lines that years of worry and concern have etched into your face. And,
- Dermal fillers can restore the youthfulness to your cheeks, and give you that pouty smile you’ve always wanted.
The great thing about many of these procedures is that you can sometimes combine them with certain spa treatments, like massage and mud wraps, and make an entire day of caring for your body from head to toe. Then, at the end of the day you can return to your family, bedazzled and refreshed. Who knows, it may even start some pleasant sparks at home.
Ultimately, the type of makeover you choose depends on what’s available in your location. From here in Cherry Hill, NJ I can pop over to the City of Brotherly Love, where we have several options for cosmetic procedures and spa treatments. Check with the spas in your area, or with clinics like American Laser Skincare to see what is available in your area.
Take a Mini Vacation
Take a day trip to a nearby tourist attraction and explore the museums, shops, and restaurants; or, go to a little out-of-the-way place in the country to enjoy some bucolic solitude. Whatever the case, getting the heck out of dodge, even if it’s just for a few hours, can really recharge your batteries.
If you don’t like the idea of going off on your own don’t worry; try getting a few friends together to make it a girls’ day out, instead. It will give you the chance to have some bonding time with your best gal pals, and give you some much-needed relaxation. Just make sure your family knows where you’re going and, if you plan to drink, have a designated driver.
Of course, you can always arrange an overnighter with your spouse. Have the grandparents take the kids and book an overnight stay in a hotel close enough to come home in an emergency, but far enough to make you feel like you’re on your own. Have a nice dinner, take in a play or just stay in and order room service, the choice is yours.
Have a Stay-cation
Rather than leave town, you can always send the kids off to spend the night with friends, or have the grandparents take over, and have the whole house to yourself.
- Watch whatever channels you want;
- Take an uninterrupted bath;
- Go nuts on all the foods you love, but your kids hate;
- Take a nap;
- Dance and sing along to your favorite not-safe-for-kids songs;
- Have friends over for cocktails; or,
- Just enjoy the quiet and solitude.
Don’t worry about cleaning, or cooking, or laundry, unless you find those things enjoyable and relaxing – in which case, go for it. The point is to spend your free time doing something nice for yourself, instead of all the things that you have to do for everyone else. You may be thinking that these suggestions sound selfish. After all, we are taught to put our families and children first; spa days and mini-vacations away from the family sound more like abandonment than self-care.
Doing these things doesn’t mean you’ve abandoned your family or your responsibilities; neither does it mean that you’d rather not have your family around.
What it does mean is that you have taken the time to put on that oxygen mask, which means that, in the long run, you’ll have more time and energy to devote to them. By taking care of yourself, you make it possible for you to take care of them.