Contributed by Cindi Pearce, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru
Look at you. You have bags and dark circles under your eyes; your hair is limp; you are moving as if you are 95 years old and have only partial use of your legs.
Okay, we get it. You’re pooped; dead tired; dragging; exhausted. Only you can save you. You need some rest, which will rejuvenate you. Carve out some time to get that rest anyway that you can. This is not an elective. This is a requirement.
Here are the top 10 ways to feel more rested:
10. Indulge yourself
Do something you like to do. If you like looking at paint color chips, or staring at the ceiling or counting the spider webs on your ceiling or watching paint peel do it. You don’t have to explain it to anyone. Do something that makes you feel good (although avoid the bad stuff that is a temporary quick fix, and you know what I’m talking about –booze, drugs—but makes you feel like hell in the aftermath.) Consider a romp in the hay, if you like that sort of thing, which may relax you so much you fall sound asleep, although hopefully not during the act.
9. Music
Listen to music. You pick the music. Listen to what calms your soul. Your choice.
8. Pets
Pet and snuggle with your dog or cat or both. Animals really do serve a purpose, besides making you screech like a banshee at times in response to their antics and wreaking havoc in your household. Pets are a distraction from the “other stuff” that stresses us out. Walk your dog and you will benefit from this as much as he does. Lie down next to him and talk to him. He won’t talk back but he might lick you. Let your cat curl up in your lap and stroke her. Meow. It cuts both ways. She’ll be relaxed and so will you.
7. Hot bath
The Romans invented the bath tub and bath houses. Smart people. Take a bath in warm (or hot) water. Infuse the water with bath bubbles and oils. Use elegant soaps that smell gloriously. Give yourself a facial. Exfoliate. You’ll need a loofah and a bath pillow and some candles, for atmosphere, and maybe even a glass of wine. Did you know that Epsom Salts pull impurities out of the body?? Toss some into your bath water and … relax.
6. Be selfish
Take some time for yourself. This isn’t a sin. If you want to lie on the lounge chair in your backyard with a good book and a glass of iced tea all day long, even though the laundry room is overflowing with dirty clothing and the sink is full of dirty dishes, do it. The world isn’t going to come to an end just because your house will fail the white-glove test. An immaculate home is an indicator of a life un-led. Selfishness is sometimes necessary. If you don’t take care of yourself nobody else is going to.
5. Exercise
We know. You’ve heard it before but forcing yourself to move, even when you would prefer to curl up in a tight little ball in a corner is far better for your mental and physical health than a sedentary lifestyle, spent in a horizontal position on the couch. Give it a try. You may be surprised to find out just how relaxed you feel after a spirited walk or a yoga class.
4. Healthy diet
What you are eating and drinking has a lot to do with the way you are feeling. If you are filling your body with toxic junk you’re probably going to feel like junk.
3. Laugh
Laughter is the best medicine. If you can lighten up and laugh at yourself, not take things so seriously. A good belly laugh, the kind where you double over and tears come to your eyes, is invaluable.
2. Sleep
Get enough sleep but not too much sleep. When you have a hectic schedule and lots of responsibilities this often cuts into your sleep time. You stay up too late and have to get up early, burning the candle at both ends. And then on weekends you try to catch up on your Zzzzzs and sleep too late, which is probably going to give you a headache Oversleeping upsets the serotonin levels in the brain and the equilibrium of other neurotransmitters and this leads to the headache from hell. Another reason for headache may be that you’ve missed your usual 7 a.m. infusion of caffeine.
1. Massage
Oh, the delights of a massage. This is possibly the most relaxing experiment in the entire universe, particularly if you have a masseuse or masseur who has magic fingers. Indulge in this. Give yourself up to it. Let the masseuse work out your kinks. Nirvana!