Long hot showers are incredible. You wash your hair luxuriously, scrub your face, scrub your feet and shave your legs. You can see it, can’t you?

Me too.

I miss it. Long hot showers as a mom of any number of littles is nearly as unimaginable as a mountain of money in my backyard.

But there are days when I DEMAND it of myself. That is one truly small thing that I can do for myself. It doesn’t have to be that hot or that long, depending on your preferences. But a shower where you can shave and deep condition your hair is bliss. Here are some more things I try to incorporate for my own self care because sometimes a few minutes is all you need.

Nightly Routine

My aging skin needs more TLC than I would like to admit. I LOVE to take care of it. I just don’t always do that. I am especially bad with taking off my makeup at night. If I have worn any. With the COVID 19 pandemic and quarantine, I am working from home. #nomakeup Nonetheless, washing my face at night is the first step of skin self care. I then moisturize all the skin. Do I look younger when I am done? Some say….no. Most say no. But I feel better. There are a few products I have found that I really like. I will share them below.

Schedule some time with YOU

I haven’t read a book that I physically hold in my hands, that wasn’t written for toddlers, for years but I love to read. Reading, giving yourself a mani/pedi or talking a walk. Whatever it is, do it and don’t ask for permission. OK, OK I know it is not that easy but let’s take my situation as an example. I will have my husband hold the baby and let’s say I am painting my toes (Finally, omg, they look like I live in a cave). I will then tell my other children that I am going to do it and I will gladly do theirs if they leave me be for a bit. This almost never lasts and that’s ok, but I get a little time to myself.

Move your body

I have been trying to get back into the workout scene since the baby. But if I thought it was hard before I was a fool! And because of this fact, I am NOT a champion for 45 minute workouts. Not even 30 minute. I like quick things that still work. Things like body weight exercises in the living room. And super slow weight training. Sprints down the driveway. All of these allow me to move my body and also see results.

Eat well

This is self-care that is needed all the time. For everyone in your family really. I have the worst sweet tooth. I have a huge sugar addiction and working from home does not make it easy. But I still try to match all the bad stuff I am putting in my mouth with good stuff too. I am on a journey to try to quit the bad stuff at least for a while. That means candy but also limiting bread, pasta and any other white carb that turns right into sugar. In the meantime, I eat lots of leafy green salads and vegetables. My favorite meat is chicken breast or turkey. And I am making my own salad dressing!

Just one more note, I think that we truly do have to take moments. If it is hard to be alone for any length of time, take a few minutes here and there. I think the cumulative reward is worth it. Still try to make sure your cup is full before you pour.

There you are my friends. Things I am trying to do to take care of me.

What do you do for self care?

Products that I love:

Anything by Dr Dennis Gross – I am not kidding I can literally see a difference in my skin and pores after one, yes one, use. I am using his clinical peel, C moisturizer and Alpha Beta face wash.

Update: I have tried to really limit the use of chemicals and have opted for more natural face care. However, I still have the items mentioned above and I still will use them from time to time.

I like to moisturize now with oils like squalene oil, hyaluronic oil, even castor oil. You can even cleanse with oils. I have a face bar from Crunchi though and it is great.