Mommy
Pampering 101: Affordable Ways to Pamper Yourself
So much of a mom’s time is spent
taking care of others, it’s easy to forget that
you deserve to be pampered too. Taking a break from
your daily routine to pamper yourself every now and
then shouldn’t just be a luxury: by paying attention
to yourself, you’ll be more relaxed, feel better
about yourself and have a better attitude about everything
you’re doing.
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Early Morning Pampering
If you can, wake up a half hour or more before anyone
else in the house – but only if the kids are old
enough to sleep through the night and you’re not
being deprived of needed and well-deserved sleep! This
quiet time should be set aside just for you, so pamper
yourself with a long, invigorating shower, a peaceful
cup of herb tea or coffee or an uninterrupted look at
your email inbox. Take a walk around the block and breathe
in the fresh morning air. These “bonus”
minutes can be your time to get organized without any
distractions, and they’ll give even the busiest
mom a jump start on the day.
Pamper Your Body
Moms know how much fun the kids have at bath time,
so now take your turn in the tub! Instead of splashing
around you’ll probably want to soak for a while,
and the end of the day is best for getting enough quiet
time to pamper yourself and relax in a soothing and
scented bubble bath. Put wet teabags or cucumber slices
on your closed eyes for extra comfort benefits. And
don’t forget to apply body cream after the bath
for a refreshing finishing touch! Another way for a
busy mom to pamper herself is with a manicure and pedicure,
which you can do yourself to save money. Make arrangements
for an at-home spa day with some friends, and do each
others’ nails or even face treatments while the
kids are keeping busy in another room.
Pamper Your Spirit
There are easy, inexpensive ways to recharge your inner
battery, and these pampering breaks can rejuvenate even
the most stressed-out mother’s body and soul.
Deep breathing exercises can be done anywhere, at just
about any time, even if you’re out with the kids
in the park! Draw in a deep breath, feel it all the
way down to your stomach, hold it for a few seconds,
then slowly exhale. Try this a few times to help you
relax and relieve some of the tension that builds up
during your busy day. If you’ve got some time
at home when your children aren’t around, light
some scented candles, sit in a quiet spot and breathe
in the calming environment you’ve created. Use
this time to unwind, give in to a daydream or two, do
yoga or meditate.
Pamper Yourself for Pennies
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on high-end
cosmetics or other goodies to feel like you’re
treating yourself to something special. Many stores
offer luxurious body care products at deep discounts,
so check out the shelves – or look online –
and you can be soothed, smoothed and pampered at affordable
prices. If you’ve cut back on your coffee-to-go
lately, think about indulging on a one-pound bag of
coffee beans and brew the good stuff at home. If chocolate
is your favorite guilty pleasure, buy a bar of fancy
“artisan”-style chocolate. These are usually
richer and denser in taste than the more common brands,
so just a bit should satisfy your sweet tooth (and at
about 150 calories per ounce, it’s better to take
your time) … or pamper someone else in the house
and share it!
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