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It’s the busiest time of the year, for most of us. Our normal work and play routines are extended, and we’re juggling all the other social events and family gatherings of the holiday season. All this activity may be fun, but the extended hours and nonstop schedule wear on you.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to make a date to take care of yourself. You may not feel worn out, but I’ve noticed a peculiar thing about the women in my little circle of friends. We don’t know we’re worn out until we are dead-sick, total-fatigue, emotional-breakdown worn out. Prevention is a matter of being proactive.

Do it. Get out your calendar now and write, in ink, a time for yourself. The point is time and relaxation. You can follow the suggestions below to the letter, or you can come up with your own version of a tune-up time.

Suggested Supplies
Dried herbs or essential oils, any relaxing blend that you enjoy
Hot tea, gourmet coffee, great hot chocolate, or a cold drink if you prefer
For the foot treatment: A large pot or plastic tub; a jar full of marbles or smooth pebbles; 1 cup of cornmeal and 2 – 4 tablespoons of oil (coconut, sesame, or extra virgin olive oil).
For an oily hair treatment: 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
For a dry hair treatment: A hot oil pack or combine 1 egg and 1 t. oil.
For an oily face treatment: Face mask of your choice or combine 2 T. french clay with 1 – 2 T. aloe vera gel.
For a dry face treatment: Face mask of your choice or combine 2 T. french clay with 1/2 of a smashed avocado.
For body treatment: Coconut, sesame, or extra virgin olive oil.
A great book or stack of magazines
Low-key music
Snack: Fruit, water, iced herbal tea, crackers and cheese, yogurt.

Suggested Method

Foot Soak
Commandeer the bathroom. Put out a do not disturb sign on the door. Gather your supplies in a basket or tray. Prepare your snack and put it in the refrigerator to chill. Make your drink of choice, retreat to the bathroom, and lock the door . Do not take your cell phone in there with you!

Turn on your music, then get your foot treatment ready: pour the pebbles into the pot or plastic tub. Fill with water as hot as you can stand it to about 2 inches below the rim. Turn on your music, then slowly lower your feet into the water, sit back, sip your drink, and read a magazine or book. Roll your feet around on the pebbles, applying pressure to different areas. When the water cools, combine half the cornmeal with half the oil and rub thoroughly all over one foot and up the ankle. Rinse and repeat on the other foot.

Steam Aromatherapy
Now it’s time for either some steam aromatherapy or a warm herbal bath, your choice. Or do both! For the steam aromatherapy (great if you have a little winter cold or sinus congestion), fill the sink with very hot water and add some dried herbs or a few drops of an essential oil. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the sink, breathing deeply and slowly.

Herbal Bath, Hair and Face Treatments
For an herbal bath, hang a sachet of dried herbs under the faucet or run your bathwater and then add a few drops of an essential oil. Add oatmeal to soften the skin or use sea salts to detoxify and freshen the skin. While you are in the water, apply your body treatment: coconut, sesame, or extra virgin olive oil. Rub all over your skin, then lower yourself in the water, soak, and relax.

Apply your hair treatment whenever you feel ready. Combine your ingredients, work all through the hair, from the ends to the scalp (double the “recipe” if you have lots of hair), and leave in for five minutes or so.

For the face treatments, simply use a face mask you enjoy, or combine the french clay with the other ingredient (aloe vera gel or avocado). Spread over your face with gentle, circular motions, avoiding the eyes. Let sit on your skin for three to five minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water.

Cool Shower and Moisturize
When you feel thoroughly soaked and relaxed, drain the water from the bath and turn the shower on lukewarm to cool water. Rinse your hair, face, and body thoroughly. Use a body buffer to exfoliate the skin. Turn that water a little cooler; it’s refreshing. Scrub your feet, between your toes, up your legs, gentle on your belly and breasts!, down your arms and all over your back. Rinse well.

Apply a light coat of body oil and rub it in well. Let yourself drip dry, then wrap in a comfy bathrobe. Comb your hair back, but don’t put on any product or dry it. Your hair needs a break too. If you have some witch hazel or a gentle toner, apply it to your face and neck, and follow with a light moisturizer.

Snack and Rest
Retrieve your snack from the refrigerator, but do not allow yourself to become entangled in anyone else’s obligations, messes, or pleas for help. You are tuning yourself up. This is important. Emergencies can wait.

Settle into your favorite cozy spot, turn up your music, drink your water or tea, eat your snack, read your book, or simply luxuriate in the clean, refreshed feeling your body has. It’s great if your cozy spot is your bed or a favorite sofa, because then you can get the last step in the tune-up plan: snuggle down and take a nap. You might have to put up the do not disturb sign again.