With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you may be busy shopping for a significant other and trying to find the perfect setting for your romantic date. If you're single, you may be experiencing a severe case of the Valentine's Day blues and will probably need some extra pampering for a few days! No matter what your relationship status is this year, there's always room to enjoy yourself and honor YOU for all you're worth. From cooking up some special treats to taking a mini-getaway just by yourself, here are five ways to make the most of this season:
1. Enjoy a spa bubble bath. There's nothing like a relaxing soak to melt away your cares, de-stress after a busy week, and truly nurture your body and mind. Pick up some at-home spa bubble bath products for a relaxing treat and some much-needed TLC.
2. Bake your favorite dessert or cook a special meal. Pick up a gourmet cookbook and try a new recipe that suits your tastes. Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to get busy in the kitchen, and you won't find a better time to make use of chocolate! Whether you enjoy a simple chocolate cake or just a fruit parfait, pick out something that gives you a chance to indulge.
3. Take a trip! Traveling off to a new town or exploring a new place in your city is a great way to spend some alone time - and enjoy it! Just make sure you're heading off to a safe area, and let your friends, roommates, or even your parents know where you're going. Then plan your trip with all the things you need - books, your iPod, a digital camera, and of course, a cell phone. Take along a journal if you want to jot down some valuable thoughts on your travels.
4. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy the benefits of salon pampering! Pick up a French manicure or pedicure set and give yourself a mini-makeover with your favorite nail polish colors. You can also give your hands and feet a massage with some rich shea butter or moisturizer.
5. Buy yourself a new outfit. Dip into your savings account for a fresh new outfit you really need. Whether it's a dress for an upcoming occasion, or just some basics for the office, pick out something you've wanted for a while and schedule yourself a shopping trip! Take the time to look at all of your options to make sure it's something that you truly want.
If you thought Valentine's Day was only for romantic couples, you're missing out on more than half the fun! It may be the season of love and romance, but there are plenty of ways to extend your good wishes out to other people. From best friends to your grandparents, there are a few more people who might enjoy receiving a Happy Valentine's Day wish from you. Here are just five more people to remember and honor this Valentine's Day:
1. Your best friend. You've laughed together, cried together, and shared everything about your lives with each other. Valentine's Day is a great time to send over a cute note and gift to your best friend, especially if they're celebrating V-day alone this year. Better yet, set up a spa appointment or girl's night out together and capture a few more memories!
2. Your grandparents. Why wait until the holidays to send some good wishes to your grandparents? Send them some cookies, a homemade card, or just a quick note to wish them a happy Valentine's Day that's straight from the heart!
3. Your secret crush. Work up the courage to send him or her a note this year! A crush can be much more fun when you actually make contact and take the steps to introduce yourself; who knows, this time next year, you could be celebrating Valentine's Day as a couple!
4. Your neighbors. Even if you don't socialize with them on a regular basis, you probably do say 'hello' or stop by for a quick chat. Send over some Valentine's Day wishes with a homemade cake, or even a small houseplant with a notecard. If you're new in the neighborhood, Valentine's Day is just another opportunity to introduce yourself with some fresh-baked cookies or a box of candy hearts.
5. Coworkers at the office. Bake up some cupcakes, muffins, or other sweet treats with a Valentine's Day theme for the office. It's sure to brighten up everyone's day (or week), and is a simple way to do something positive for the workplace.
Valentine's Day isn't just for you and your sweetheart; why not celebrate a little differently this year by sharing some positive thoughts and messages with all the important people in your life?
When you've been left with a broken heart after a long relationship, or you just want to move on from a short-term relationship that isn't getting anywhere, you'll need a strategy to move on in a healthy way. While you can still remember the good times you had together, it's more important to move ahead and avoid getting caught up on what could have been. Many women make the mistake of clinging onto the past which makes it very difficult to develop better relationships in the future. If you've had a recent breakup, or just need to get over a difficult relationship from your past, here are some healthy ways to make it through this uncomfortable time:
1. Don't jump into dating or a new relationship right away. Dating someone new on the rebound can make it difficult to get over your previous relationship in a healthy way, and you may regret your decisions or choices. Take a 'time out' from dating and let yourself settle down and just enjoy being single for a while.
2. Spend time on a new hobby or build up your skills. A breakup is
a great time to jump into a fresh and new creative project. Pick up
anything that you've always wanted to do, and pursue a new hobby or
skill to do something constructive with your free time.
3. Focus on the positive aspects of being single. You have all the
freedom you could want now that you're not in a relationship, and this
can be satisfying in itself. Appreciate your singledom and do nice
things for yourself that help you appreciate you.
4. Learn ways to take care of yourself. Supporting yourself financially and emotionally is even more important after a breakup. Find out how to manage your money better, or take charge of your emotional health by speaking to a friend or counselor about your troubles. Knowing where to turn when you don't have a signficiant other can be of tremendous value.
5. Avoid asking questions that can't be answered. It's easy to get stuck in a cycle of wondering, "Why didn't it work?," "What's wrong with me?," or "What did I do wrong?," but these are all questions that can't really be answered. Focus on the future instead, and just occupy your time and energy toward things that you can count on, and make work for you.
When we’re caught in a whirlwind of busy schedules and
chaotic days that never seem to end, it’s easy to forget how much we’ve actually
accomplished. If you’re not already
keeping a journal to track your progress, you might overlook some important
milestones and successes along the way. No matter how small an accomplishment may be,
learning to appreciate it and keeping track of any positive growth is a great
way to stay motivated.Most of us forget
how important looking back really is, and the process can help you create new
goals, be a resource for inspiration, and help you reach even higher!
Here are some simple ways to celebrate your success, no
matter how small it may be:
Share
it with someone.A close friend, a parent,
or a sibling are just a few people to turn to when you’ve done something
new or accomplished a goal. Having
someone to share your success can be very motivating and may even
encourage you to repeat the process. Make a list of people who you feel comfortable talking with about your dreams, aspirations, and even your mistakes. These are the important people in your life who are sure to appreciate your accomplishments.
Treat
yourself.Pick up those glamorous
earrings you’ve been eyeing all season, or indulge in a spa treatment over
your lunch break. Anything that
makes you feel a little ‘spoiled’ can be your reward for doing a great
job! If you're on a tight budget, think of free activities and things you can do that you wouldn't normally do during a busy workweek. From a free concert at the park to movie night with the girls, just try something fun and new.
Write
it down.Jot it down on a sticky
note and post it somewhere that you can see easily; when troublesome days
find their way into your schedule, just turn to these important pieces of
paper for a pick-me-up!
Re-live
the moment.Close your eyes and
conjure up the events and feelings that led up to that moment of
achievement; that’s one special memory that deserves to be kept alive!
Create
new goals just a notch above what you’ve accomplished. Remind yourself of the accomplishment by
setting some new goals that are just within reach; this is a great way to
motivate yourself to reach even higher, and can keep you riding that
success train!
When you're feeling overwhelmed with stress, experiencing lots of change in your life, or just having a hard time adjusting to a new job or home, creating more balance in your life can help you manage each situation with ease. Balance doesn't always happen naturally, especially when you feel like eveything is coming at you at once. The key to finding balance is to practice it daily so it simply becomes a habit; you'll naturally start to feel more secure no matter what life throws at you! Here are some easy ways to create more balance in your life:
1. Make time for peace and quiet. When times are stressful and confusing, you need to make time to simply sit back and enjoy a moment of peace. Get into the habit of setting aside at least 15-20 minutes per day where you do absolutely nothing; close your eyes if it helps, but the goal is to just 'be' so you can center yourself and relax your mind.
2. Take up yoga or pilates. Both of these exercises condition you to breathe deeply, and the increased oxygen can help improve circulation to your body and your brain. This can help to process your thoughts much more effectively so you're not left with anxiety and confusion. Regular yoga and pilates sessions are also a great total body workout, so you can alternate these exercises with your regular fitness routine for optimal benefits.
3. Eat a well-balanced diet. Overeating or under eating can add unnecessary stress to your life, and when you're in the middle of a stressful situation already, the best approach is to simply follow the basics. Plan to eat on a schedule to get into a healthy routine if you need to; it doesn't take long to simply follow the clock and exercise good eating habits where you're eating at least three balanced meals and two snacks each day. Taking care of your health with quality nutrition can help protect you against extra stress.
4. Confide in someone you trust on a regular basis. Whether it's your best friend, your significant other, or even your Mom, allow at least one person to hold you accountable for your thoughts and actions, and build a positive relationship built on trust. This can provide balance by giving you an outlet to share your stresses and hardships so your life doesn't feel like such a burden during a difficult time.
5. Journal about the here and now. Some people journal about their dreams and aspirations (the future), while others recount something that happened recently (the past). Try a fresh approach where you simply write about what is happening right now, right at this moment. This can help you become more centered and really understand what you're feeling. It's one way of honoring yourself that can increase your level of self-awareness.