| Self care if very important. Our bodies need down | | | | bedroom. Develop a routine for cleansing your face, |
| time to recharge the brain and immune system. | | | | taking care of your hands and nails, followed by sliding |
| Indulging in self care does not need to rob the bank. | | | | into your cozy pajamas. Ensure that you have on your |
| Below are 5 of my favorites that are no cost or low | | | | favorite lotion and body spray. You can spray linen |
| cost ways to indulge in self care. | | | | spray on your pillow case to ensure a tranquil night's |
| 1. Pajama day. This is a day where you get up and | | | | sleep too. Slide into bed with your favorite book, |
| shower, put on your make up, and slide into your | | | | magazine, or write in your journal. It is ok to enjoy |
| favorite comfy pj's. You spend the day on the sofa or | | | | some mindless television too. Ensure that you are |
| in bed with the remote control in one hand and your | | | | focusing on what you want to do. The last few hours |
| favorite beverage in the other. Sitting beside you is a | | | | of the evening should be spent relaxing not ironing |
| stack of magazines you've been waiting to read. You | | | | laundry and getting ready for the morning. You will find |
| also get to indulge in your favorite treats. The day is | | | | you sleep better when you have a nighttime routine |
| yours! Be creative and relax. | | | | that includes time for relaxing before you are actually |
| 2. Leftover Night. Entertaining will be stress free when | | | | ready to fall asleep. |
| you invite your friends to bring over their leftovers for | | | | 5. Pedicure & Manicure. If you find that making |
| a potluck dinner. I often cook on weekends for my | | | | time to get your toes and nails painted is stressing you |
| children but am left with tons of leftovers on Monday. | | | | out I suggest you invest a few dollars in a bottle of nail |
| In order that they not go to waste I call my single | | | | polish and paint your own nails and toes. When you |
| friends or single parent friends and they bring over their | | | | are home watching television and feel the urge to |
| leftovers for a great night of casual dining and great | | | | multi-task set your feet in a bucket of warm soapy |
| conversation. There is no need to spend time cooking | | | | water. Let the pedicure process begin. I personally do |
| and cleaning because you only need to heat up | | | | not like to sit around for an hour while someone scrubs |
| leftovers and then load the dishwasher. It is amazing | | | | my feet and digs under my toenails. I find it painful. I |
| how leftover night held during the workweek can | | | | also do not find it enjoyable to get beat by a |
| make such a big difference in your stress level. Don't | | | | massaging chair. Getting a professional pedicure |
| wait for the weekend to connect with friends. Pick up | | | | requires just too much planning since you have to |
| your phone and invite them over during the workweek | | | | ensure your legs are shaved and you have on flip |
| for leftover night. If they don't have leftovers they can | | | | flops. I would rather sit on my bed and paint my own |
| bring the salad or beverage. | | | | toes. It costs less than $5 to do your own pedicure at |
| 3. Library. Your local library is a great source of reading | | | | home, plus I can enjoy a glass of wine and lounge in |
| material for you and the entire family. Plus many | | | | my pj's. If you go to a salon and include a tip you are |
| libraries also have videos you can check out for free. | | | | going to spend $20 or more and you won't get to |
| This can be a two night event. Spend one afternoon | | | | enjoy a glass of wine. |
| or evening at the library then spend the next afternoon | | | | Taking time for self care does not need to rob the |
| or evening watching a movie as a family or lounging | | | | bank. Think of the activities you enjoy whether it is |
| around reading your new library books. This can easily | | | | being alone or spending time with family and friends |
| become a family ritual. Growing up we went to the | | | | and be creative on how to take time to relax without |
| library every Saturday morning followed by going to | | | | breaking the bank. Leftovers have taken a bad rap for |
| lunch at the local diner for lunch. I still remember the | | | | many years. I promise your friends will love the idea of |
| name, Kringle's Restaurant. Take time to explore your | | | | leftover night. You get great conversation and dinner |
| library. It is a no cost way to read the latest novels and | | | | for free! |
| watch some great classic movies. Your children can | | | | I challenge you this week to start taking time for self |
| engage in self care by attending a free story time. | | | | care. You and your family will enjoy the benefits. |
| 4. Bedtime Ritual. You need a bedtime ritual so that | | | | Because you will be more focused and relaxed |
| you are guaranteed you will take time for you. Set a | | | | afterwards. |
| scheduled time each evening that you will go to your | | | | |