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Reconnecting with oneself via the
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Maybe you’re just feeling tired & burnt out (work, kids, cleaning up after everyone, etc.). I’m not going to discuss relationship counseling or how to solve personal problems – I’ll leave that to the pros. I do believe, however, that a lot of the stress that causes modern day moms to feel disconnected from their partners can be easily alleviated.
First and foremost, believe it or not, the reconnection of two starts with just one. You. Just you. Because lets face it, whatever we decide, guys are pretty much ready, willing and able. They just need a time and place to be named later (or now). So we’re not going to worry about him in this article. This is all about YOU.
Lesson 1: You absolutely need to take time out for yourself. If you just said, "Yeah right, I’ve got four kids, two dogs, and a husband", then please, you REALLY need this advice. Believe me, if you don’t make some time for yourself, then there will come a day when you are so stressed, that something involving a prison sentence as punishment may seem like a viable option!
Ok, now that we’ve established that you will make some time for yourself, here’s the plan. I highly suggest uninterrupted bathroom time. If you can only get 1 hour on a Sunday evening, that’s fine. I speak from experience - even an hour will refresh you down to your bones!
Let me stress "uninterrupted". If you have to threaten family members with bodily harm or lock the bathroom door, that’s just fine - you are not to be disturbed. I’m going to share with you my "renewal regimen", but feel free to do whatever works for you. The time to yourself is what’s most important. Start by filling your bathtub with warm water and mix in Feierabend’s Moisturizing Milk Bath. If you haven’t tried a milk bath (also known as a bain du lait), indulge yourself with one. Cleopatra (who was known for her sex appeal, self confidence and arduous lovers) is known to have taken a milk bath daily.
Get in the tub and let the water flow over you. Take a few deep breaths and let the bath aromas sink in. Relax. Affirm to yourself that you deserve this and it is ok to take this time. Soak – Relax – Breathe.
When you’re ready, lather up your hair with your favorite shampoo. Really scrub the hair and scalp - if you have medium to long fingernails, this feels especially good on your head. After you have fully cleansed your hair, rinse and squeeze the excess water out of your hair (I prefer having a shower wand that I can unhook and use down in the bath when needed).
Next, apply your favorite Feierabend Conditioner to the ends of your hair. If you want to intensify your conditioner, wrap hair in a hot towel and leave it to set (Take a thin towel, dip it in the hot bath water, then wring out and wrap around your head turban style).
Grab a washcloth & sink back down into the tub. Immerse washcloth in hot water and then wring out the excess water. Close your eyes and place the steamy washcloth over your face. This will open your pores.
Lean your head back, wiggle your toes, close your eyes, take a few more deep breaths and simply soak. Let the music and beautiful bath aromas float over you (Yeah, sing it to me Ms. Nora, tell me why you’ve been waiting). Once the towel and washcloth feel cooled off, remove them but don’t rinse your hair yet. Now that your pores have been opened, it’s time to start a mask. Although a mask’s primary use is for the face, I suggest also putting it on your neck, chest, upper back and shoulders. You may also apply it to your elbows, feet and hands - it’s very refreshing to those often-neglected areas. The Pumpkin Peel Enzyme Mask is my all time favorite mask. It’s a rich source of antioxidants & enzymes that act like Alpha-Hydroxy Acids.
Once you have applied your mask, it’s time to exfoliate the rest of your body with a glow (also known as a polish or scrub). Feierabend carries 5 different kinds of Glows. I generally favor the salt glows unless I’ve recently shaved and have a nick of some sort (Don’t want salt in that!) - then I’ll switch to the Turbinado Sugar Glow. They’re all fabulous and extremely moisturizing. I like to start my exfoliation at the toes and work my way up. Don’t be shy with this stuff! Go on and scrub that derriere! It needs some love and exfoliation too (Better you at home, than Sven at the resort spa).
Once you are done exfoliating, it’s time to turn on the shower & rinse everything off (conditioner, mask, salt, etc.). Then take a few extra minutes under the shower to let go of that last little bit of stress. Ahhhhhh, rejuvenation!
Turn off the shower & wrap your hair in a towel. Only dry off your face - leave the rest of your body wet. Apply Feierabend’s After Bath Oil to your still damp body and smooth it over your wet skin to seal in the moisture.
Now you can pat dry (don’t rub) your body with a clean fresh towel. This "spa bath" may be followed up with your regular facial regimen (cleanse, tone, moisturize, etc.). Also, add a little color to your toes on the way out. Nail polish makes those feet look very sexy! It also adds to the chance that someone might want to caress and massage them later!
Now shake your hair out, wiggle your butt and prance right into your bedroom feeling beautiful and free! Put on some sexy lingerie, call your hubby to the bedroom and whisper in his ear that if he puts the kids to bed, you’ll have a surprise waiting for him! He should have them little angels napping in record time.
And that’s it! Really! This one hour per week ritual can work wonders for any mom – just try it, you sexy woman, you! You’ll thank me afterwards.
"Every mom will love this info!"
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