Pamper yourself this season

How have you been spending your weekends lately? Do you spend it going to parties where you toast to drinks and dance all night?

Better still, are you always occupied with religious activities or family functions? Well, as fulfilling as these activities may seem at the time, they could also leave you burned out.

Weekends are special days set aside not for you to catch up with the activities you missed during the week but rather to re-coup energy dissipated working from Monday to Friday.

Filling your Saturdays and Sundays with strenuous and time-consuming activities would leave you stressed rather than refreshed on Monday morning.

Coincidentally, December is one of the busiest periods of the year, as many are trying to catch up on their Christmas shopping for family and loved ones. But in all the frenzy, you must remember yourself.

Yes! Pamper yourself silly this weekend. You will feel better and energised to face the activities lined up for the upcoming festivities.

Health living expert on yahoohealth.com, Dr. Patricia Cook, says taking time to care and focus just on yourself is a strong booster for one’s mental and emotional health.

Cook says, “One reason pampering is good for you is that when you pamper yourself, you’re saying ‘I’m worth it. I’m worthy of having a massage, or of spending some money on myself, or taking the time to do something I really enjoy.’

“If the pampering you are getting helps relieve stress or makes you feel better, like the beneficial effects you get from a massage, or a relaxing bath, anything you can do that makes you feel better physically also makes you feel better emotionally. And feeling better is better for you.”

At loss about how to pamper yourself? Cook notes that there is no hard and fast definition of pampering, but it could be physical, like getting a massage; or getting a manicure and/or pedicure.

She notes, “Pampering can be turning off your phone, blocking out some undisturbed time to read, write, listen to music, watch a movie, play a game, or take a hot bath (with bubbles or nice-smelling stuff, candles, a glass of wine, music, or book.

“It can be taking some money, regardless of your budget, and spending it on yourself, preferably for something totally frivolous. Every person’s idea of pampering is different, so there’s only one rule: however it is that you choose to pamper yourself, do it guilt-free. This is a key component of pampering!”

It is up to you to define the ways you want to pamper yourself. However, to help you decide, healthy living experts on simplehealth.com suggest interesting ways you can take time out for you and yourself only!

Go shopping

All girls love shopping. It is the best kind of “rejuvenating exercise” for any woman. When you go to a mall, don’t scrunch your feelings by not getting yourself that pretty dress you have been looking for. It is completely okay to reward yourself once in a while. So, get your shopping bags outside and go about swiping your credit cards around the city, fishing for all your favourite things.

Indulge in your favourite food

The food we eat may or may not influence our body; but it surely does influence our minds. Even studies have proved how chocolate helps you to get over depression. So, give a damn to what your dietician says. It is completely okay to indulge in your favourite food once in a while. Treat yourself at your favourite restaurant.

Take a warm bath alone

When was the last time you took any form of bath or shower alone? You know, if you take a shower when kids are awake, at least one of them will undoubtedly join. This time, it’s just for you. Do it after the kids are in bed, or while your husband promises his very best to keep them occupied elsewhere.

 Make the bath warm, add some bubbles or herbs to make it fanciful; light a candle, turn on some music, bring a book… Or just take a nap.

Have a cup of tea or coffee

You might do this every morning, but do you really enjoy it? Set out to enjoy it this time. Choose a nice-flavoured beverage instead of the plain-old usual stuff. Take it to a comfortable spot and just sip it and enjoy it. You can wait till the kids are in bed and make it an “adult” beverage.

Get a makeover

Too bored of dressing up the same way all the time? Are you desperate for a change? Get a complete makeover by an expert. Get a haircut, colour and style your hair to get a dashing look. You can also get a totally different wardrobe. Looking at your gorgeous self will give you one more reason to be happy each time you stand in front of the mirror.

Read a good book (or magazine)

Who has time to read? But make the time. Take it in that bath with you, or just read during nap time or after your kids are in bed for the night. Sit back and get lost in the fantasy world of a novel, or just someone else’s life (like in a magazine). Make it a fun read, though — parenting tomes don’t count. Reading a chapter of a book every day has been proved to be relaxing.

 Have an at-home date night

This is not completely about you. But most women complain they don’t spend enough time with their husbands; so, this will totally fix that. Fix the kids a simple, easy dinner and put them to bed early. Then cook a special dinner just for you two. Eat by candle light, enjoy your favourite movie, or just have a real conversation that isn’t about the kids. Talk about your hopes and dreams!

Get a massage

Okay, this one is not free. And maybe not even that cheap. Go for body massage. A massage will relax each and every muscle of yours, thus making you feel fresh as daisy. Visit a spa for a full body massage. An aromatherapy body massage makes use of natural ingredients like flowers, fruits, berries and leaves.