Disclosure: In any review for a product or service, products or compensation may have been provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and "Terms of Use" tabs for more information.
Back when you first found out that you were pregnant, although you probably suspected that your life as you knew it would change, nothing can really prepare you for just how much it actually will. Having the role of the mom of a newborn means that you’re held responsible for another human being; that you are the one who your baby depends on it meet every single need. And while that can be a great honor, at times, understandably, it can also be extremely overwhelming and a bit exhausting.
That’s why we wanted to provide you with a few ways that you can take a break, make time for yourself and relax. The awesome thing about these recommendations is that you don’t need a lot of money to do them—just a few minutes of your time (while the baby is napping, of course).
Drink some tea (next to some candles). There is nothing that “hits the spot” quite like a cup of warm tea that’s flavored with honey. And, when it comes to sipping some herbal teas, you can actually feel your stress and anxiety literally slip away. Some of the best teas to help you relax are chamomile, cat nip and peppermint. Also, if you’re sitting in your favorite chair, don’t forget to light a couple of soy candles too. Jasmine, lavender and vanilla provide remarkable calming effects.
Take a bath. Something that can provide relief to your mind, body and spirit is a nice warm bath, especially if you pour a bit of Epsom salt, oatmeal or even a glass or two of red wine or champagne into the water. As you soak, make sure to connect your iPod to some speakers so that you can listen to some soft rock or jazz (which are pleasant breaks from lullabies).
Do some stretching. Although you might not feel quite up to doing full workouts yet, something that can still prove to be physically beneficial are body stretches. There are a lot of videos on YouTube that can walk you through how to get into some yoga positions or you can go to On Demand on your cable to download some morning stretch videos. As you learn how to breathe deeply, it can definitely help to relax you.
Read a book. No matter what age you are, books are an awesome way to “escape from the real world” and enjoy a good story. All you need is a comfy couch, a soft blanket, a cup of (decaffeinated) coffee or cocoa and an oil burner with some bergamot, ylang ylang or mandarin essential oil in it and you’ll soon feel like you’re on your own little vacation (at least until your baby wakes up).
Give yourself a mani/pedi or facial. A big part of the reason why people book appointments at some of the best spas in Boston, Dallas or Seattle is because of how amazing a professional mani/pedi or facial can feel. The great news is that you can do these things at home for a fraction of the cost. Just go to your favorite search engine and put “at-home manicures”, “at-home pedicures” or “homemade facial recipes” and you’ll see a variety of step-by-step options to choose from. Enjoy.
[…] Whether you’re planning to invite over your friends to celebrate your birthday or scheduling in a date night with your partner, you can’t go wrong with a movie night. Lowkey, comfortable and entertaining, they’re a great way to relax after a stressful week. […]