The holidays are an extra busy time for all of us moms. We are juggling decorating and gift giving, holiday parties, school programs… Throw in a school vacation or two on top of everything you already have in your busy schedule and we’re toast!
Sometimes we’re so busy taking care of out families that we forget to ale care of ourselves too! This is the time of year where I catch a glance of myself in the mirror at the store and think “Did I really go out looking like this? Why didn’t anyone tell me I was still wearing my slippers?” (Admit it – you’ve been there!) You’ve totally been like me, showing up at swim lessons and realizing that you are still wearing your pajama top and never put makeup on!
So this time of year, I encourage you to join me in making taking care of myself not optional… but essential!
Take care: Winter brings new beauty routines. That dry air is murder on your skin! Aveeno has great lotions that have natural ingredients that can help to prevent and protect dry skin, leaving it smooth, soft and naturally healthy looking. Make sure you’re taking those vitamins and getting enough rest – being sick around the holidays is no fun!
Take time: Take time for yourself. Treat your skin to a mask while flipping through a magazine or browsing Pinterest (I love Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser/Mask!) . Soak in a bubble bath. Only 15-20 minutes of time pampering yourself is not only mentally healthy, but it also can keep your skin in great shape! Or – my favorite way to take time for myself – grab your girlfriends for a girls’ night out!
Exercise: When we get busy, this is often the first thing to go. But keeping it up, even when you are extra busy, is one of the best gifts you can give yourself! My husband has been so sweet and really encouraging me to find time – even if the only class I can fit in is during bedtime.
Find shortcuts: Get your groceries delivered. Stick up your medicine cabinet from home on Healthy Essentials. Buy cupcakes for the school party instead of making them (they’ll never know!) Cut those corners where is doesn’t matter and you’ll have time for the things that do. That hour you would have spent at the store can be spent baking cookies or hanging out with the kids!
Treat yourself: for me, this means swinging by Starbucks for my favorite holiday drink – a Peppermint Mocha – that I sip while indulging in a pedicure. It’s so relaxing and it can take a whole week of stress away! If I’m really lucky I get to really get pampered and indulge in a massage!
Here’s something to make your “you time” a little more special: the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® program is offering amazing printable coupons, tips & tools and so much more for all the products you and your family love. You can get significant savings by visiting the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS website. As you prepare for back to school for the kids, don’t forget to pick up these HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® products to help you be healthy and happy for the ones you love.
This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.
About Melissa