Monday 8 November 2010

'Tis the season - for a good pampering

It's the 'flu season and I've done all I can to protect myself. But it’s getting cold, and I find winter an extremely stressful season healthwise.  It takes a lot of care and mindfulness to stay on an even keel during the darkness. No matter what method of 'daylight saving' we adopt, we cannot create more daylight. From now until the winter solstice, the days grow shorter.



Time to think about massaging the psyche and boosting endorphins with 'alternative' methods. Pampering in any form helps. It really helps.

Today, I'm having a DIY home spa-day.



Shopping list
  • Tea lights, aromatherapy candles - relaxing
  • Aromatherapy oils – lavender, tea-tree
  • Two large bottles of still water
  • De-caf and fruit tea (lemon zester), and fruit juice
  • Salad and vegetable
  • Fish
  • Fruit selection - winter berries, pears, plums, mandarins



How to have a spa day at home
  • Drink plenty of fresh fruit juices, water and fruit/herbal teas throughout the day to keep your levels of hydration up.
  • If you’ve prepared in advance, you should be able to make up a salad for lunch with all the ingredients from the day before. Don’t forget you’ll need some protein in there, so add some feta cheese, some nuts or a small amount of chicken or tuna.  
  • Make time for your meals, and if you can, eat them sitting at a table. Chew each mouthful slowly, and don’t rush your food. You have all day, so really enjoy each mouthful and savour the flavours.
  • Dinner should also be relaxed, and should be light on the digestion. A piece of chicken, with steamed vegetables or more salad, will be nutritious and light.



  • Snack on nuts, chopped vegetables and fresh fruit if you feel hungry during the day.



  • Run yourself a bath and add some aromatherapy oils. Relax into the soothing water, light some candles and play some soothing music.
  • Try to get some exercise in, particularly in the morning. 
  • Make the most of your day by relaxing with those activities you enjoy most. I have the latest Jim Butcher audio book on my Kindle, a soft alpaca yarn on my needles and lots of mp3 tracks to accompany on my bodhran.