Our ingenious advice on how to productively spend a few hours alone at home. Complete with recipes and concoctions to spoil yourself to oblivion
Chill Out at HomeThis is time set aside for you to relax and treat yourself to a few hours of luxurious home spa. Because it uses natural, readily available ingredients in your own home, it is easy to prepare in advance. Any chance of a few hours rest can be used productively with little effort.
Preparing Your Environment
Prepare your environment so you feel comfortable and able to relax. If you are already a mother, arrange for a friend to have your children for a few hours. Enhance the ambience by playing soothing music, lighting candles, letting some fresh air circulate and burning essential oils. Switch off the phones and claim this time as your own. Begin with some stretches and deep breathing, shutting your mind off from the realities of the day. Surround yourself with plants and flowers. Did you know that houseplants remove pollutants from the air and provide fresh oxygen for you to breathe?
Ficus and spider plants are good air filters. Lilies, roses, daffodils, jasmine, freesias and gardenia are all cheerfully fragrant blooms. Treat yourself to your favourite.
Relax Your Eyes
Tired eyes? This recipe is great during pregnancy and even better for when your newborn comes home and sleep deprivation takes over. Prepare the following recipe in advance to reduce stinging and puffiness of tired eyes. Chammomile, a soothing herb to reduce inflammation, is mixed with rose water to tone the skin and tighten pores. Store in a glass container in a cool, dark place.
- 1 bag chammomile tea
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2cup rose water (available from a health shop)
- Steep teabag in boiling water for five minutes.
- Remove bag and allow tea to cool.
- Add rosewater to tea.
- Soak two cotton pads, recline and place over closed eyelids.
- Leave for 5-10 minutes.