What better way to round off a series of posts on living beautifully than with you? These last few weeks have left us all frazzled. We have had to be infinitely flexible as, weekly, our worlds have shifted under our feet. Some of us have moved from home working to furlough, most of us are concerned about the financial implications and all of us, I’m sure, are worried that we or someone we love will succumb to this hideous virus.
Amazingly, everyone I know is keeping upbeat and doing everything they can to keep things ‘normal’. My choir (and my teaching) have gone on-line, neighbours are checking in on each other, my WattsApp account is filled daily with joyful photos and hilarious clips. But when your husband has to get up in the middle of the night to secure a slot for your grocery delivery; the furthest you have walked is to the mail box and the only other people you have spoken to in person are your neighbours over the fence, eventually, one starts to sag.
My antidote is this. Give yourself a day in which you nurture yourself; a day in which the worries of life are banished; a day in which you both live beautifully and make yourself beautiful. This spa day will cost you pennies, but I hope will refresh and recharge you for the weeks ahead. Ideally, take a whole day to do this, but if this is not possible, pick out the bits that appeal and do them. A little self-care can do wonders.
Preparations
- Choose a day and put it in the diary. Easter is almost upon us, so everyone should have some days off
- Make sure that you have clean fluffy towels to emulate a spa experience
- Find all those lotions and potions that you have stuck in the back of the drawer, because you never have time to use them. Now is the time.
- Have some delicious snacks available and a jug of water to hydrate and detox
- Have the ingredients ready for a simple lunch and dinner too (or even better, get someone to make it for you)
- Do no housework or other chores. There is always tomorrow for that
- As promised, this is an economical spa with luxurious results. In addition to your choice of beauty products, everything you need should be in your kitchen. And all the media links will be here – so all you have to do is press play!
The schedule
A great day starts from a good night’s rest. If like me, sleeping is always a bit of a hit and miss affair, start your day whenever you feel ready to face the world. If that is closer to lunch-time, so be it. This is your day for indulgence.
A mug of hot water is always the best way to cleanse the system – but if you reach for a coffee – I won’t tell. Just try to stick to water from now on.
An empower shower
This is not your usual dash in and out affair. Take your time. Play with all those fun lotions that you never remember to use. (I’m going to be using a body scrub that has sat in my chest of drawers for too long!) Wash and condition your hair.
While your body is clean and damp, apply body moisturiser generously remembering your poor feet and ankles. After chemo, my skin still has not resumed its usual elasticity and I sometime feel I resemble a reptile more closely than a human, but I shall be using something fragrant and special on my spa day and leaving the industrial E45 moisturising lotion for another time.
Apply a face mask
This is something that I never do, but really should. I’ve made up a recipe from ingredients I had and you can adapt to what you have available. Since honey is at a bit of a premium at the moment, I’ve gone for a simpler version using oats and olive oil. (If you have almond oil, that is even better.)
Rose and oat mask
To make the mask, simply mix a scant 1/2 cup of rolled oats with 2 tablespoons of rose water and 2 tablespoons of plain water. (Or all water) Stir well. The oats should be just damp. Mix in 1 teaspoon of rose petals if you have them plus 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Leave to infuse. Makes enough for two+
When you are ready for your mask, simply scoop the mixture into your hands and rub over your face, neck and upper chest. Place two slices of cucumber over your eyes, lay back and relax for 15 minutes. Rinse off the mask with warm water, splash with cold water and pat dry.
Your face will look radiant and taut.
A little mani-pedi
By now, you should be feeling relaxed and lovely. There is one last thing to do and that is to trim, moisturise and pamper your hard working hands and feet. This is usually a task I do quickly and efficiently, but for my spa day, I took my time, massaged my feet, rubbed any dry parts with moisturiser and took care to trim my nails as nicely as possible. Some of you may wish to add some varnish, but since I spend half my life pulling bindweed from the garden, painted nails are not for me!
Refresh!
After all that ‘hard’ work, it’s time to recharge with some lovely, minty cucumber water and perhaps a light lunch!
After lunch, make space for an activity that is just for you. I love making flower arrangements, reading a book or even taking a nap. Yesterday, I joined my on-line choir for a good sing. Whatever will refresh you – do it!
Yoga
After all this pampering, a little gentle exercise is in order. I use an excellent CD by Jon Kabat-Zinn, but you may have another instructor that you love. Yoga and other activities such as Qi Gong, Thai Chi or a good walk are a perfect way to end the day.
Dressing for dinner
Now you are looking tremendous and feeling relaxed, it’s time to enjoy a good meal. Dress for dinner and put on make-up if you would normally. If you are isolated, book a video chat with a friend or family member and share your meal that way.
The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy, though I would advise against too much social media or any news. We don’t want to destroy that lovely equilibrium.
And just before you go to bed, I’d recommend a short meditation. You can reflect on your day quietly or follow a guided meditation. The one below is my favourite.
When I first started thinking about this blog, I envisaged a day of pampering and self-indulgence. But what I found when I did it, was that it was a day of honouring my body. It was not frivolous but mindful. Our bodies do so much for us that once in a while, we should remember to do something for them.
I wish you a relaxing spa day and a very happy Easter.