As mothers, we spend our days squeezing every minute out of the day that we possibly can in our struggles to keep up with our families, our homes, our careers, our lives. At the end of the day, we typically aren’t able to muster up enough energy to do anything, let alone relax, even though plenty of experts tell us that’s what we need to do to be better moms. While it’s not realistic to be at a spa every evening or have a personal masseuse at our beckon call (if it is for you, more power to ya), there are ways to create your own private sanctuary within the walls that are your home.
Take a moment to close your eyes, take a deep breath in and out, and imagine the place that is most relaxing to you or that brings you the most peace. For some of you, it may be lying on a sandy beach with the warm, salty ocean breezes kissing your skin. For others, it might be a cozy, overstuffed armchair where you can sip coffee and read for hours on end. And for some, it may be as simple as a soft bed with crisp, clean sheets. Whatever your “happy place,” there is a way to recreate it in your home as your own oasis at the end of a long, tiring day.
Resting Place
We start with the bedroom; the place where, on “Cribs,” all the magic happens. Whatever. It reality it is the place where you’ll spend 1/3 of your life sleeping, provided you get 8 hours of shut-eye a day. With that said, you’d think it’d be a place already set for relaxation mode, but that is not always the case. Take for instance, my bedroom. Yes, I do sleep here, but I also read here, write here, surf the internet (I love you, wireless connection), and fold clothes here. Many others spend time watching television as they’re lying in bed.
To set the scene for relaxation, first clear away the clutter. File away papers that found their way to your dresser, put away the pile of clothes you folded two days ago, and tidy up the things on your nightstand. Get rid of anything that causes you to stress or worry – bills, account balances, and anything work-related.
Next, find the best sheets you can afford, wash them in something that smells lovely (Lavender and Vanilla Downy is fabulous), and add a fluffy duvet. Find ways to appeal to your olfactory senses by lighting a scented candle (be certain to keep away from fabrics and to exinguish before falling asleep), using a scented plug-in unit, or spraying your pillow with a linen spray. Fresh flowers or plants are a natural way to bring fragrance to a room. If outside noise is a concern, distract your ears with “white noise” – turn on a fan, listen to a nature-sounds CD, or invest in a small, table-top fountain for your nightstand.
Now that you’ve created a relaxing environment, enjoy it! Crawl into bed and wind down by reading, writing in a journal, or hey, maybe even turning in a little early for the night.
Reading Place
Sometimes you just want a little place to get away and have some time to yourself to read a good book or the latest blog postings, without having to go to your local bookstore or Starbuck’s. The office and kitchen table work well, but they’re not exactly getaways. If you look around your house, you can probably find areas that are just right for an armchair, a lamp, and a side table. Once you’ve found a place, stake your claim and get ready to rearrange.
If you don’t have a comfy armchair that you can borrow from another area of your home, there are inexpensive options at furniture stores like Ikea as well as a bevy of online sites. You can also make a trip to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army and find a chair that can be reupholstered or slipcovered. Find a little table to place beside your chair to hold your book or laptop as well as a hot cup of coffee or tea, and add a soft lap throw. Once the kids are in bed (for the final time), sneak away to your little nook, curl up, and dive in to your read.
Renewing Place
Water therapy is a practice that can be traced back to Chinese and European cultures, who believed in the healing powers of water. In your home, a good, long soak in the tub is a modern way to relax and recharge.
Stock your linen closet with soft, absorbent towels and great-smelling bath products: bubble baths, bath oils, bath salts, soaps, and shampoos. Invest in a bath pillow to cradle your head and neck while bathing. Place your lights on dimmer switches to allow you lower the brightness of the room or light candles in lieu of using any lighting. If you are one who likes to read during your bath, consider a bath tray for your book and a drink. Keep a towel and bathrobe nearby to allow you to avoid the chill and dry and dress easily after your soak.
No matter what your preference for relaxing and restoring when the day is through, there is always a way to fit it into your home. And as women who take on so many roles throughout our daily lives, it is nice to have a place that it is our own where we are allowed to simply be ourselves for a brief, wonderful moment. Find that special place in your home today, carve out that little area that is yours and yours alone, and then take the time to restore your tired body and soul.
Now go to your happy place…
Rhonda dreams of writing full-time while paying the bills as a registered nurse. She blogs about her life with her dreamboat hubby and two chickies here.
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