This is the week where you get to take a breather from the holiday madness...
Ok, it's really more of a gulp of air in-between shoveling mountains of snow out of your driveway (and the piles of ribbons and wrapping paper from your living room), waving goodbye to your relatives, finally throwing out those over-used leftovers, praying school will start soon, and (if you are like us), finding yourself face down in one of the new books you got as a gift (the pages of which are now slightly drool-stained.)
Take heart, New Year's Eve is almost here (at Believe, we've got a couple of slots open to make you look like a million bucks without costing you a million bucks. Give us a call right now! (914) 747-0778.
This week's blog will be about a topic dear to all of our hearts: Relaxation. We know we don't get enough of it, we know you don't get enough of it, and 2011 is when we should all make a conscious effort to do more of it...but maybe you don't know how?
Here's some tricks of the trade:
Get Some Sleep: Our bodies really do need 6-8 hours so our minds can go a-wandering places we can't go in waking moments. Think of it as rebooting your consciousness. A lot goes on in your brain while you sleep and it's all-important for clear-thinking, good decision making, even temperament, and physical health. If you have trouble sleeping, don't reach for the drugs right away―start with these simple tips and see if they help:
• Avoid alcohol and beverages containing caffeine, cut back on sugar (introducing more cinnamon in your food helps the cravings), and give up nicotine. Drink warm milk before bed.
• Don't watch TV, read thrillers, or fight with your spouse or kids just before bed. Calm your mind. Try some deep breathing and/or meditation. Try this site for some natural sounds to help you unwind www.relaxingnature.com.
• Get a good bed. There is a reason Sleep Number and Tempurpedic beds cost more―they are worth it― especially as you get older. Aches and pains can keep you awake.
• Make sure your room is noiseless, dark, and cool. Turn the alarm clock's face (with it annoying LED
light) away from you.
• Put a laptop in your room and set it to Pandora a free music site, that will play lots of selections of any type of music you pick (by artist, song or genre) and needs you to do nothing except confirm you are still
listening after a while. If you don't respond (because you are in dreamland), it will turn itself off.
• Try a natural sleep aid like melatonin or take a hot bath by candlelight—we stock some lovely fragrant ones. (Aromatherapy oils in the water help even more.)
Accept (that you deserve to relax): Fight back against that little voice in your head saying, “You really should do one more load of laundry before you sit down”. The laundry can wait. You need to rest. Let everyone in your family know you really mean it. Put a time for relaxation for yourself on the family calendar in black ink (no pencil!) and don't cut into that time except for a legitimate emergency. If this means locking the door to your room, go ahead.
Exercise 30 Minutes Every Day: Whether it's a walk round the neighborhood or just time spent on your basement treadmill, put in the time moving your body-- and be sure to stretch often (lowering your shoulders prevents tension buildup.)
Get A Massage: We offer several types right here at Believe and know that undoing the knots in your body helps prevent knots in your mind.
Visualize: Especially when you don't feel calm-- Close your eyes and imagine every detail of your favorite beach or hiking spot. Hear the surf. Smell the trees. Be there―Such a mental vacation can do wonders.
Think Positively: This too shall pass. Everything does. Things will look better tomorrow (or surely the day after.)
Love Thyself: A new hairstyle (or new color) or a makeover (with our custom makeup, blended just for you) can raise your spirits and chase away stress. Make an appointment with us at today.
Cuddle Your Pet: (This is easier if that fur is freshly washed. We have organic pet supplies to make Fluffy smell great.)
Try A New Hobby: Paint or needlepoint or go take photos. No one cares if you are any good. Expanding your mind fills it with things other than stressful thoughts.
Cease All Communication: (Not forever―we aren't saying you should join a nunnery.) Close the cell phone, shut down the email account, turn your face away from Facebook, and watch a movie that will make you laugh out loud. Not only is laughter really medicine, but all those problems will be waiting for you later―when you are not on your last nerve.
Give And Get More Hugs: It's hard to stay sour when hugging someone or, better still, being enfolded in someone's arms. It's said 12 hugs a day is a necessary daily dose for good amounts of endorphins...Three is the bare minimum. Got no one to hug? Stop on by Believe Beauty Lounge. We'll give you a hot cup of tea, share some smiles, and you'll surely get a hug both as you come in and as you go out.
We look forward to spending wonderful times with you in 2011. From all of us at Believe Beauty Lounge—Happy New Year!http://www.believebeautylounge.com