Women today are more stressed and pressed than our mothers and grandmothers ever were. We are wives, mothers, businesswomen, students, grandmothers, employees, etc. Unfortunately, because of the many roles we play, women are dying of strokes and heart attacks in record numbers. Even the statistics for suicide among women is unusually high. So, how can we, women of the 21st Century, manage our many roles and health? Here is one strategy that was created with you, your life and your budget in mind.
The Three M’s: Massage, Manicure & Make-over
Massage: What better way to end your week or start it than with a massage? Thirty minutes of peace & tranquility; who could ask for more? A massage can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on two variables: the type of massage you elect to have and your budget.
The full body (my favorite), the Swedish, hot stone, reflexology and a plethora of other kinds of massages were designed to de-stress, relax and exfoliate the body. But be careful with this “M” because a massage can be expensive, hence the second variable. Check on prices from local salons; ask for references, check out the establishment’s décor (one must feel comfortable in a place where they are about to be semi-naked for an hour) and staff friendliness. Speaking of staff friendliness, you will need to look deep within yourself to ascertain your level of comfort with having a masseuse who is either the same sex or the opposite. Account for all of this when budgeting for the massage. I suggest going once a month or every other month as this bill can add up depending on the type of service you purchase.
Now, when you set your appointment ladies, do not, I repeat, do not let anyone in your family know where you are going. The whole objective of this particular “M” is to get away and have time for you to reconnect with yourself. We take care of everyone else every day. The massage is an hour made just for you. You can’t relax if your kids, husband or the office keeps blowing up your cell phone. Turn it off, bury it beneath your pile of clothes and escape to Fantasy Island. My masseuse, Olivia at http://openhandsmassagecare.com/ in Richmond, VA, is my ultimate guide to massage heaven, and she makes sure that no one interrupts my moment of bliss.
Manicure: Your nails and hands are your first impression, especially in business. There’s nothing worse than going to shake someone’s hands and their nails are chipped or broken, or worse, dirty. What does this say about their character? If they can’t keep themselves well-kept, how then can they take care of your business? Keep your nails groomed at all times, but more importantly, there’s nothing that can compare to how good you feel when your hands and toes look pretty. Find a nail technician whom you can trust to take care of your nails. My nail tech, Kim, of Beauty Nails in Midlothian, VA, is wonderful; I have been a client since 2006 because she knows the business of nail care, and the constant compliments I receive about my nails is proof of her work. So, find an expert nail tech and keep those first impressions clean, polished and perfect. Remember, though, you must budget for this two times a month, if possible.
Make-Over: I am not talking about a make-up or wardrobe make-over, but a spiritual/physical/mental make-over. Positive thinking begets positive experiences. We must not only learn to surround ourselves with positive people, but create for ourselves affirmations and self-declarations that uplift us. My friend and beauty expert, Susie Galvez (http://www.susiegalvez.com/), insists that the first thing a woman should do upon waking up is to stand in front of the mirror and say confidently to yourself, “Hello, beautiful!” Why? Because if you don’t believe that you are beautiful, no one else will.
Okay! I know it’s difficult to do this with most of our schedules, but we must find the time to workout (see Walking), whether it be in the am or pm (whatever works best for you). If you can, find a personal trainer. They can be expensive, so see if you can barter services. For example, I approached a local fitness trainer about working with me, but I could not afford his services. So, I offered him a deal; ‘you train me and I will give you a health and fitness column in my magazine.’ He accepted. Free PR wins every time.
Read one book a month that teaches you something new about yourself, life, politics, etc. If you are a fan of fiction, read non-fiction (ex. finances, autobiographies, self-help books). If you love non-fiction, read fiction. I love mystery/suspense novels, so let me recommend my favorite author, Jane Evanovich. Her “Stephanie Plum” series makes me laugh so hard, I get a headache (http://www.evanovich.com/). Try reading poetry or writing some. This will definitely stretch your imagination.
Want to read more about how to take care of yourself inside and out? You can find this entire article at http://ezinearticles.com/?Taking-Care-of-Self-Inside-and-Out&id=963371. Read more of my articles at my blog, http://rebekahpierce.wordpress.com.
Rebekah
