Renew Yourself!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Renew Yourself!
2
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 7:43am

I knew I had something in my favorites that I have been meaning to post, and Karen's post yesterday reminded me about it! In her post she was talking about taking time-out for yourself. Here's an article with some suggestions of just how to give yourself a0

'Spring Break for Beauty'
by Olivia Neko
http://beauty.ivillage.com/skinbody/0,,7h4ck8km,00.html?&iv_arrivalSA=1&iv_cobrandRef=0&iv_arrival_freq=1&pba=adid=14416693


Winter's almost over, so we dream a little lighter, anticipating what's on the horizon: things blooming, layers coming off, moving about more freely. But sometimes it's not easy to get in the mood for spring, so if you're feeling down and depleted, we understand. It's time for some restorative and uplifting ideas.


Treat yourself to a massage. If you only splurge once a year on a spa treatment, splurge now on a massage. The blues can affect your entire disposition, and this is not the time to be sad. Jordana Mattioli, an aesthetician at the Ajune Center for Body Synergy in New York City, says her clients flock to the spa's most intense treatment this time of year. The Shea Butter Body Emulsion massage not only relaxes, increases circulation and boosts energy, but it treats the outside of your skin too because it's deeply moisturizing.


Make your hair happy. The fastest way to a good hair day is the right shampoo and conditioner. Add to that a sweet, uplifting fragrance that lingers in your hair, and you'll want to get to your nearest Clinique counter for Happy Shampoo and Happy Conditioner, scented with the company's best-selling fragrance. It'll make you smile.


Go on a three-day cleansing diet. There is some controversy about the idea of "cleansing" diets, so we went to an expert. Ana Sjoberg, registered nurse and dietician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, says a three-day diet can be beneficial for clearing out your system and reinforcing good eating habits. Have eight to ten glasses of water a day, get five to six servings of fruit and vegetables, eliminate meat and eat only whole grain bread or cereal. Also, eliminate sugar and coffee. Sjoberg says that if you're a heavy coffee drinker (meaning you consume more than three cups a day), wean yourself off gradually to prevent headaches ‑- try two cups a day, then one cup and then none on the last day.



Restore your feet. Your feet can get rough and cracked during the winter months, so this is the time to reintroduce your tootsies to their smooth and supple selves. If you want to splurge, try a moisturizing spa pedicure. Avon Spa offers a pedicure during which brown sugar is massaged into the feet, which helps exfoliate skin. The treatment is followed by a foot mask of shea butter and alpha hydroxy acids, which are superhydrating. You can try this $80 treatment at home, but if the idea of massaging your feet with brown sugar feels too messy, there's always this standby: Slather your feet in Vaseline or Burt's Bees Foot Cream and put on socks before bed.


Exfoliate dry skin. Restore your skin's soft surface by gently exfoliating away winter's coarseness. There are a number of shower scrubs and body exfoliators to choose from. Bloom has a wonderful exfoliating body wash that combines finely ground walnut shells with orange and peppermint essential oils. Massage in smooth circles all over the body, rinse and, aah, you're ready for spring! Available for $22 at Sephora.com.


Light a garden-fresh candle. Bring the scent of spring into your life with a botanically scented candle like Seda France's Herbal Verveine. Close your eyes and it's as if you're outside in a sweet-smelling garden. Available at SedaFrance.com.


Take a refreshing bath. There are dozens of great bath products to choose from. Right now we love the moisturizing, freshly scented Foaming Relaxing Bath from Kiehl's. It contains aloe vera ‑- an excellent skin soother ‑- and calming lavender. Available for $17.50 at Kiehls.com.


Revitalize yourself with fragrance. Aromatherapists know the healing properties of scent, and citrusy, ginger scents are disarming in their ability to impart a feeling of recovery, affirmation and renewal. Origins just came out with a delicious fragrance, a mix of ginger, green lime, lemon and orange that's really refreshing. It's called Ginger with a Twist Sparkling Body Cocktail. Available for $37.50 at Origins.com.

~IslandGirl


*** Moderation Is Key ***


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 12:43pm

Feeling Sore After Exercise?


Is you back sore after exercising? If back muscles become tight and sore after exercise -- a common feeling -- a great way to relieve this stress is to lie on the floor with a tennis ball between your back and the floor and give yourself a massage.


.....I meant to ask if anyone had any other ways to 'Renew Yourself' at the end of the post this morning....or any tips like the one above??

~IslandGirl


*** Moderation Is Key ***


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 3:02pm

I know that after I'm done swimming a few minutes in the steam room and jacuzzi sure feels nice!