Pamper Yourself

Looking for something to brighten your February day? Try a little pampering. It’s easy once you get the hang of it. First, take time out of your regular routine to focus solely on yourself. Then choose one of these three pampering ideas. You’ll find they’re all easy on your bank account.

Try an At-Home Manicure

Freezing winter temperatures cause fingernails to split and break. Despite a hectic schedule, devote an hour to a home manicure and you’ll find it is time well spent.

Start the manicure by collecting the tools and materials using the manicure shopping list; then brew yourself a cup of relaxing herbal tea. Remove any existing nail polish, soak hands in warm water, and wash with mild lavender or goats’ milk soap. Gently cleanse under nails with a nailbrush. Thoroughly dry hands and nails.

Pour 1/2 tsp (2 mL) almond oil on a cotton pad and gently but firmly massage oil into hands and nails. Allow oil to penetrate while you sip your herbal tea. Wash hands again and dry
thoroughly; then massage organic lotion into hands. Use an orange stick to ease cuticles into an even shape, being careful not to damage the cuticle, because it protects the nail bed.

Use nail scissors or clippers to shorten long nails; then shape nail tips using an emery board. Move the board in one direction, not back and forth in a “sawing” motion as this damages the nail. Buff nails to eliminate small ridges and give them a final wipe with almond oil so nails have an attractive sheen. Leave nail polish off until your next social event.

Shopping List for Your Home Manicure

• Two hand towels
• Bowl of warm water
• Good quality soap
• Acetone-free nail polish remover
• Small bottle of almond oil
• Organic hand and body lotion
• Orange sticks
• Nail clippers
• Nail scissors
• Nail brush
• Emery boards
• Nail buffing pad

Curl Up With a Book

When the clouds are dark and threatening and the wind is slashing at the trees, it is the perfect day to read a book. Go to the library and randomly pick several books. Spend time reading the first few pages, then select a couple to take home.

When you get there, make a cup of soothing lemon verbena tea. Light an aromatherapy candle to scent the room with relaxing fragrance. Put your feet up and let the answering machine take any phone calls that come in. After an hour or so stretch and walk around. When you are ready, sit down again and read to your heart’s content.

Take a Hike

Feeling more like you want to get out and do something? Take a hike! It’s free. It really doesn’t matter what the weather is, you can go for a long walk if you’re dressed for the weather. Plan to walk at least three hours. Walk locally or go to a place you have always wanted to explore. Pack a nutritious snack lunch and a bottle of water or juice. Ask a friend to join you or just head out alone.

Walking tones the legs and gets your body moving. Walk at a steady pace to increase your heart rate. Even better, choose a route that includes some uphill walking and your heart will really work. When walking in the winter you see tree branches and views you can’t always see in the summer. Colours change and everything smells fresh. Walking in the rain or snow gives a totally different perspective to your walk.

When you get home throw a thick robe into the dryer as a quick warm up trick. Jump into the shower and relax under cascading warm water. After your shower, smooth an organic body lotion all over your body, including your feet. Wrap up in your warm robe, slip into cozy slippers, and settle down with a drink of organic hot chocolate. You deserve it.

The most important thing about these indulgences is that none of them cause guilty feelings. That’s important because it’s hard to enjoy pampering when you feel guilty about it. You have to think, “I deserve this. It’s time to indulge myself.”