Day spas are great but who has the extra cash nowadays to afford them? That’s why we’re bringing the day spa to you with this 8-hour, at-home, do-it-yourself program designed to relax and recharge. Ready. Set. Ahhh.
Lay out a plan. If you have kids at home, drop them at the in-laws the night before or ask your hubby to take them on a day trip. Disconnect the phone, have someone hide the remote control and your mobile, put a piece of duct tape over the doorbell, and don’t even turn on your computer. Most important, disconnect every clock in the house or put tape over its face. You’re dropping out.
Give yourself a kur. When you wake up, head for the bathroom and dampen a hand towel with cool water. Spend a few minutes lightly wiping your arms, legs, and torso, then go back to bed. Your body will heat up, and you’ll fall into a deep, restful, dream sleep. A kur is standard treatment at European spas.
Flush away trouble. Find some small strips of flushable paper and write down the names of all the people or situations in your life that are stressing you out. Then throw them in the bowl and flush. You’ll feel instantly relieved.
Start with a smoothie. For a morning boost that doesn’t rely on caffeine, combine 1 cup nonfat milk, 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, 1 cup strawberries, and 1 kiwifruit in a blender. The 210-calorie, low-fat result is high in protein that will fire up your body and brain.
Exercise. Walk, run, bicycle…it doesn’t matter what the specific activity is as long as you elevate your heart rate for at least 20 minutes. (Make sure you have your doctor’s okay to exercise.)
Eat again. Grazing is the healthiest way to eat. Divide your total daily calorie allowance among six smaller snacks rather than three big meals. This strategy keeps your energy levels constant and prevents binging. Have a small salad or half a turkey sandwich now.
Pamper yourself. Give yourself a facial (complete with cucumber slices). Then hop in the shower, shampoo, and spend a few minutes running your fingertips lightly across your scalp like a comb. The scalp holds a lot of your tension. Finally, treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure.
Nap. No explanation necessary.
Eat some more! Is this day great, or what?
Put beans in your slippers. For an indulgent foot massage, pour some uncooked beans into your slippers and walk around in them.
Reconnect. Spend the precious time you have left listening to an old album, rereading parts of a favorite book, looking at photos, or calling a friend/relative you’ve been neglecting. Then, just before your family (and life) returns, stretch, yawn, and say hello to your old self again.
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
