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After a long, hard day, you get home. You kick off those killer shoes, drop that by-now-sweaty sweater, and get ready for some relaxation. The kids are out, the spouse is working late or another shift. This is your time to de-rush and de-stress. Here is how you can reduce the stress in your life easily at home after work.
So, your toes touch the soothing water of the bathtub. You get in, and close your eyes. Oh yes… This is the LIFE! And oh, after ten minutes of watching the water just sit there, you’re already bored out of your mind. Thinking about the dishes that are waiting… And you’re running out of socks, so the laundry… And not to even start about… Bye-bye relaxation. It doesn’t take long or you’ve given up on the whole idea, dry off and get cracking at the chores you wanted to avoid for a little while longer. The “me” time is down the drain, together with the bath water.
So what can you do about this? It’s little aspects. It depends on your own preferences, but it’ll keep you in the tub till you’re wrinkly, and as flexible and relaxed as a wet noodle. (And a lot less grouchy than when you came in the door.).
Point one: Get music. Do you have an old radio/CD player, move it toward the bathroom. You might want to leave it just outside of it so the steam and moisture stay out of the electronics, but close enough to hear the music. (No talk-shows allowed, unless it’s one with a few laughs in it. NO politics, no deep profound problems. They just tense you up again, and that defeats the purpose).
At this point you have an option. You either sing along with the music to your hearts content/listen to it, or, you do something else. But what? Pick up that magazine you’ve been meaning to read all month. The poetry book, the newspaper (Hey, everyone else had a chance to read it already, and who cares if the comics get wet? As long as you get to read them when the wording’s still legible!). Hey, you can even try singing some Opera. The acoustics in the bathroom should be perfect for it.
Finally use that Lavender bath foam your aunt got you so long ago. Go crazy with it if you like. When you were small you made funny hairdo’s using the foam… Think you’re too old for it? TRY IT! You’re never too old to re-live a bit of stress-free childhood! And don’t forget a drink for that tired throat. Kool-Aid is fantastic on summer days, believe it or not. And it is yet another taste of way-back-when innocence.
You’re wrinkly now. You’re practically falling asleep in the tub, and the water’s getting cold. You’ve been in there for the past hour and a half. Uh-oh. Stayed in too long, it was too much…Fun…!
The very last suggestion: take a little alarm clock with you into the bathroom. After 45 minutes the relaxation should’ve taken effect, and it’s a nice time to call it a day... You’ve had your share of unadulterated relief, now it’s time to get back into the real world. Long enough for it to be a treat: short enough not to load you with feelings of guilt over those unwashed socks. Try it today. You’ll love it.
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