DIY Pampering
It is not always possible to take time away to rejuvenate yourself, especially when raising children. For a parent of a child with special needs, private time can be even more elusive. Finding spare time for a shower can be as luxurious as it gets.
What if you could make that time more therapeutic for your body, soul, and spirit?
That is what we will look at today as we explore ways to pamper and rejuvenate yourself in ten minutes. Please know that the need to pamper yourself is not a female-only experience. Men need that “me” time as well to recharge their internal batteries.
Self-care is crucial to keeping you healthy physically and emotionally. If you do not, you cannot give the best of yourself to your family.
While we would all love a spa day now and then, that is not always possible. Sometimes, all you can carve out is ten minutes – barely enough time to put on a face mask. The trick will be to learn how to utilize that ten minutes in the best way possible – not multitasking. You want to take this time for yourself to renew your energy.
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10-Minute Rejuvenation Tricks
1.Light a scented candle and dim the lights – this small act will immediately help you to relax. Whatever you do next will intensify the feeling of relaxation. Even if you are only taking your regular five-minute nighttime shower, a candle can change the mood. Remember to light the candle at least 5 minutes before you start your “spa” experience to allow the scent to permeate the space.
2.Dry-brush your body – stand in the tub or shower and give yourself a full-body exfoliation. Dry brushing will increase blood flow and improve collagen production to firm and strengthen your skin. Remember to brush towards your heart. Finish with a shower to wash all those dead skin cells away.
3.Put on a skin mask – leave-on paper and cloth masks are loaded with nutrients for your face. After the mask comes off, you simply massage in the remaining solution. *Remember to wash your face and remove any makeup.
4.Draw a bath – add in a few drops of essential oil and Epsom salts, or use a bath bomb. While 20 minutes is ideal, even a ten-minute bath can help you relax. Combine this with the face mask for added benefit. If you want to feel really decadent, add some rose petals or lemon slices to the bath. Lavender oil is relaxing, and mint oil can help you feel energized.
5.Give yourself a hand massage – you do not even need ten minutes for this. Spend one minute rubbing in your favorite hand cream before bed. Massage your fingers and the muscles in your hand to help you relax and sleep better. The added bonus is softer hands in the morning. You can do this with your feet, as well. Sleeping with gloves or socks can seal in the moisture.
6.Soak your feet – you do not need a jet-spa to help your feet feel better. Any container that can hold water and fit your feet will do. If you do not have any scented foot soak solutions at home, simply fill the container with warm to hot water, add some Epsom salts, and a few drops of essential oil. Take this a step further by using a pumice stone after the soak to rub away dead skin cells. Finish by massaging your feet with your favorite lotion and covering them in comfy socks.
7.Give yourself a foot or hand mask (or both) – masks that look like mittens or socks come prefilled with moisturizing solutions. Slip them on, relax for the stated time (usually ten to fifteen minutes), then remove and massage the remaining solution into your skin.
8.Give yourself a mini-facial – purchase an at-home microneedling tool or natural stone face roller. Combine them with a serum, and in less than ten minutes, your face will feel refreshed. These products help increases collagen and firm your skin.
[2]DIY SPA ALERT shower inspiration from anothersupermoon
9.Turn your bathroom into a mini-spa – hang eucalyptus branches in the shower. Your shower time will now help you destress even more. Eucalyptus is inexpensive and lasts for months.
10.Drink yourself to relaxation – no, not alcohol. Make yourself a warm turmeric latte before bed. Warm some almond milk, add some turmeric and cinnamon, and sip it in a quiet corner to put an end to your day.
11.Engage your mind – grab a book or magazine and spend ten minutes reading. Those few moments concentrating on something else will remove you from the stress of the day.
12. Sip spa water – slice up some cucumbers, lemons, oranges, limes, or mint leaves, and toss them in a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Any time you need a break, pour yourself a glass and find a quiet spot to sit and relax for a few minutes.
13.DIY plunge pools – ok, most people do not have hot and cold plunge pools in their bathrooms. However, you can get the same benefit in the shower by switching the water from hot to cold a few times. Changing temperatures in this way can help stimulate blood flow. Always finish with neutral temperature water in the end.
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14. Do not forget your eyes – our eyes get quite a workout, so by the end of the day, they can benefit from a bit of pampering. Use cucumber slices or boil two chamomile tea bags in milk and then place them in the refrigerator to allow them to get cold. Cover your eyes with the cucumber or tea bags for ten minutes. The tea bags are reusable when stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also purchase disposable eye masks that help reduce puffiness, dark circles, red eyes, and fatigue.
15. Make a DIY body scrub – you may not be able to go to the spa for a head-to-toe body scrub, but you can whip one up at home with kosher salt, sugar, coconut sugar, coffee grounds, coconut oil, Epsom salts, and essential oils. The internet has plenty of recipes – simply type in the ingredients you have and check out the results. Just do not place it in a glass container – you do not want accidental broken glass to ruin your “spa time.”
16. Do not forget your head – give yourself a hair mask that you whip up at home. Again, the internet can be your best friend for finding ways to make a hair mask out of items in your kitchen, such as mayonnaise, coconut oil, olive oil, eggs, essential oils, mashed avocados, and mashed bananas. Yes, it will look and smell good enough to eat, but the results for your hair will be worth slathering it on your head. The best part about this is you can go about your day and leave it on for a while if you are busy.
17. Sip some bubbly – you do not have to worry about wasting a bottle of champagne or Moscato these days. Many brands make single-serving size bottles that you can keep on hand for when you just want to relax and feel pampered. Pour yourself a glass and sip it while in your bath or reading that steamy novel.
18. Remember the lips – lip scrubs and treatments help exfoliate dead skin and make your lips soft and kissable.
Moms are not the only ones who can benefit from these relaxation tips. Dads can use any of the above items that interest them. There are some great exfoliants, lotions, and body washes for men. Of course, we want to add in a few more options that men might enjoy.
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Special relaxation options for busy dads include:
1.Indulge in a decadent shave – instead of your usual rush job, soak a towel in hot water and wring it out. Place it on your face for a few minutes before you shave. Take your time and give yourself a slow and thorough shave.
2. Stimulate your scalp – instead of your regular shampoo, use one with tea tree oil to give your scalp a tingling feel. This will help you feel alert and rejuvenated.
3.Indulge your tastebuds – even if money is tight, you can pick up a small body of good whisky or scotch and relax with a drink at the end of a long day.
4.Give yourself a massage – rubbing your shoulders and neck for five to ten minutes can help you relax.
5. Grab a book – reading is a great relaxation tool. Even if you only have time for one chapter a night, you will feel the accomplishment each time you finish a book.
6. Meditate – it may sound cliché, but even ten minutes of meditation can take your mind off immediate problems and allow your thought processes to clear.
7. Listen to music – playing your favorite songs can temporarily remove you from your surroundings, helping you relax.
8. Hit the steam room – ok, while you do not have one in your home, you can turn your bathroom into a steam room by closing the door, turning the shower up all the way, and relaxing for ten minutes. Even better, hang eucalyptus branches in the shower for added stress relief.
9. Moisturize your body and face – after a bath or shower, do not forget to moisturize. Take a few extra minutes to rub the lotion into your muscles.
There you have it – a plethora of ways to help you relax in ten minutes. Carve out that special “me” time because you deserve it. The whole family will benefit when you do.
By the way, couples can indulge in many of these spa rituals together for a special at-home date night. Enjoy