Take a Break: Ways to Pamper Yourself after Work

You work all day at the office and come home to work all night taking care of your family. When do you get time for yourself? If you don't take time to take care of you, it's unlikely that anyone else will either. That's why it is important to turn off your cell phone and PDA and pamper yourself after a long day at the office.

Now what that means is apt to be different for each person. Some people view pampering as having no children around, while others may see it as an opportunity to spend more time with their family. With that in mind, here are five ways to help you relax and leave the woes of your job behind.

Take a "Mommy" Break

Sometimes, it seems like once we have children, our only identity is being someone's mother. Sure, we're still a wife and an employee, but the overriding need is to take care of our children. As much as you may love this role, there are probably times when you get home from work and want to be left alone.

Take some time to yourself by asking your significant other to babysit, or ask the grandparents or a close friend to help out so you and your significant other can have time together. Then, do something you want to do - whether it's going out for dinner and a movie or climbing into your pajamas and bunny slippers after a soothing soak in the tub.

Hand Over Your Oven Mitt

If you run home from work just so you can dash into the kitchen and prepare dinner, you may find yourself running out of food ideas - and the energy to make them.

Food is one of the best ways to pamper yourself. Yes, by eating it. But also by letting someone else do the cooking. This could mean having your significant other take over dinner duties for the night, even if that just means popping something you prepared earlier in the week into the microware. Or, maybe the two of you can eat dinner out or pick up takeout on the way home. Whatever option you choose, pamper yourself by just getting out of the kitchen.

Pretend You're at a Day Spa

There is nothing more wonderful than relaxing at a day spa. So why not make one for yourself? Put on your favorite music, run a hot tub using homemade bath salts (borrowed from HomeMadeSimple.com), give yourself a pedicure, manicure and/or massage (or ask your partner to do it!), and sip your favorite beverage while you unwind from your long day at work.

Bath Salts Materials:

½ cup of coarse kosher salt
½ cup Epsom salt
1 quart-size, freezer-grade zip-lock plastic bag
Food coloring
Eucalyptus and Lavender Essential oils (available at craft or natural food stores)

Instructions

Place the salts into the Ziploc ® plastic bag. Add one drop of food coloring, and then lock the bag and shake it to distribute color. Repeat this process until the desired color is achieved throughout the salt. Be sure to add only one drop at a time because multiple drops may begin to melt the salt. Add a couple of drops of essential oils to the bag; seal and shake it to distribute the scent. Repeat the process until the desired scent is achieved (most likely, five to 10 drops).

Enjoy the Company of Friends

There is nothing more wonderful than being in the presence of the people you enjoy. And that means spending time with friends. Whether you invite them to your place or go to there's, go out to dinner and a movie or bring dinner and a movie home, or play board games or tennis, pamper yourself by spending quality time with friends.

Take Personal Time

Ultimately, the best way to pamper yourself after a long day at work is to spend time anyway you want. That means giving yourself permission to take a break from your responsibilities as a parent, spouse and employee, and enjoy some personal time.

If you have a favorite hobby - photography, knitting or scrapbooking -- a favorite pastime - yoga, reading or singing -- or a favorite activity -- bicycling, jogging or golfing - get out of your weekday rut and do it. Whether that means hitting a few balls at the driving range, joining a church chorale group or signing up for an art class at the local community college, take the time to explore your passions.

The whole idea is that you work way too hard not to spend time on you. Find the time to relax and pamper yourself after a long day at work. And, if you would like to share ideas on how you pamper yourself, we'd love to hear from you.