This week, several women in my sphere have bemoaned feeling blue. The worst part about feeling a little worse for wear is not having the energy to do the things you usually love. While perhaps a walk through the park or a trip to the accessories department of Forever 21 would normally lift your spirits, you — sad little creature — hardly have the will to lift a finger. Here, a short list of comforts to turn to when your tank is running on empty.
Light a candle. The other night I couldn’t bear to trek through the cold rain to the gym. I decided instead to do a relaxing yoga practice in my cramped living room. I lit a tall candle pillar and placed it a few feet out from the top of my mat. Whenever my mind started to wander, I would focus back on the flame. So fond of the warm flickering light, I left the candle burning on the coffee table afterward. It cast a relaxing glow on the living room for the rest of the evening.
Have a cup of tea. Some of us rarely, if ever, drink herbal tea at home, yet when it’s offered before a yoga class or beauty treatment, we’re the first in line to sign up for its calming benefits. The ritual of it is so appealing: have a cup of tea, start to relax. Sit down at home with a cup of peppermint, chamomile, or ginger. And really, if you’re going to take the time to take a couple of deep breaths over the steam of the cup, milky black tea (my favorite) will surely do the trick as well.
Apply a face mask. We don’t always feel that we have time to devote a lot of time to pampering ourselves, but putting on a facial mask is like pressing the pause button on life. You will likely sit quietly alone, either reading, watching tv, or listening to the rain outside for at least 10 minutes as the goop does its job. Sometimes that’s all the time you need for a shot of freshness to your face and your spirit.
Get in the bath, preferably with reading materials. This is as time-tested a cure as there ever was. Grab your novel, a magazine, or the book of poems you’ve been meaning to read and sink into a hot tub. True, it’s not the best for your skin (the hot water saps your skin’s natural moisture), but it is the best for a tired mind and an achy body. Low on luxurious bubble baths and oils? Squirt some shampoo directly into the water stream in a pinch. Afterward, wrap yourself in the nicest robe you have, slather your feet with thick moisturizer, and put on socks.
Retire to bed. When a bad day strikes, why prolong it? I know plenty of grown women not afraid to get under the covers at 7:30 on a bad day. In a dark room, and starting at the top of your head, imagine every part of your body relaxing: your scalp, your eyebrows, your ears, and work your way down to your toenails. Much more effective than counting sheep.
Self-massage. This is so simple, yet so satisfying. Place a few drops of aromatic massage oil or lotion in your palm, and rub your hands together to heat it up. Knead the muscles at the top of your shoulders and the back of your neck. Apply pressure to your temples, the fleshy pad below your thumb, and the arches of your feet. Ahhh…
