pam·per
‘pamp r/ verb 1. indulge with every attention, comfort, and kindness; spoil.
With the endless lists of what we must, should or have to do on a daily basis, we’ve become accustomed to neglecting our own needs. Overwhelmed and frazzled, yet we still move forward without thinking of taking a breather. The stress keeps piling up and eventually it could take a physical and emotional toll on us – and in most cases it does. But still, the idea of just stopping to sit back and relax, not to mention pampering ourselves, simply doesn’t seem to happen. Why is that?
Put yourself first. You can’t be anything for anybody else unless you take care of yourself.
Self-care isn’t a luxury. Pampering oneself isn’t an act of selfishness. Getting a little R&R, even for 1 minute during our busy schedule won’t sabotage our efforts to become successful entrepreneurs, parents or partners – quite the contrary. Personal indulgence is vital to our health and overall wellbeing. Taking some time to pamper yourself silly throughout the week helps boost your mood, helping you become more relaxed and energized and significantly reduces stress. Here is a seven-day plan to start taking care of your number one asset: yourself.
MONDAY: Pamper your mind with morning yoga and a fresh fruit smoothie
The amazing weekend you had is over and it’s time to get back to work, errands and demands. Wake up 30 minutes earlier on Monday morning and prepare yourself for this busy day. Forget about the long day that’s ahead of you. Do some stretches or yoga for 10 minutes. Sit alone in a quiet place, close your eyes and meditate for 5 minutes. When your mind and body are relaxed, take 5 minutes to chop some fresh fruits. Take another 5 minutes to prepare an energizing smoothie. Take 5 minutes to sit and slowly sip it.
Tuesday: Heal your hands and feet
Take a foot soak; use a small pan or tub and fill it with warm water and add baby oil with vitamin E to soak your feet in. Caress your feet with softness. Have some Footsies or socks ready to put on after applying some cream or Vaseline. Cut the toes out of old socks to sleep in to allow the cream to soak in overnight. Then deep cleanse your hands using a clay facial mask (such as the avocado, kaolin and rosemary). It works great and leaves hands soft.
Wednesday: Reach for veggies
Instead of reaching for a piece of chocolate or a cookie to treat yourself for making it halfway through the week, try eating a veggie sandwich. It will give you energy and no guilt!
Thursday: Relax your head
Why not give yourself your own relaxing scalp massage? Not only is it great for some personal TLC, but it also promotes circulation to your hair follicles, strengthening and rejuvenating your hair. This isn’t a new concept; according to the ancient principles of Ayurveda, scalp massage done with sesame oil is one of the best practices for nourishing your mane and settling the mind.
Friday: Milk does a body good
Cleopatra, the infamous Queen of Egypt was said to have bathed in milk infused with rose petals and honey. You can use real milk bath, but a try using powdered milk instead – you can add essential oils and even cocoa! Milk’s mild acid can gently loosen and even dissolve hardened sebum and dead skin, allowing it to be gently buffed away with the help of a washcloth or body brush. It can also help to soothe irritation and moisturize dry skin. This leaves skin with a fresh, healthy glow.
Saturday: Admire the beauty of nature
Walks in the park early mornings before the world awakes are peaceful, and the quiet time with yourself restores your inner peace. Today, schedule a flower delivery of your favorite flowers to be delivered for the upcoming week, just because you love them.
Sunday: Try tea
Have some afternoon tea or coffee in your fine china, read a good book and relax in a quiet, peaceful setting the patio or in a warm, bubble bath. If you need a space to get away from life and children, consider the Tea Salon at Windsor Court, which always makes you feel pampered and luxurious.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be a special occasion to spoil yourself, take out some time for yourself every day.
