This past weekend I had my girlfriends over for a ’sleepover’…yes, at 38 we still like having sleepovers! But before everyone came over we went and got massages. I’m sure I’ve written about this before, but I am a COMPLETE massage junkie! I would take a good massage over, well…..a lot of things (nothing great comes to mind).  I actually have sort of a regular masseuse that I go to at the spa in town. Unfortunately, she was booked during the time that I had my appointment, so I went with someone else. No regrets. The massage was good, but it wasn’t great. I’ve gotten so used to the other masseuse and the way she does things that I have to admit I’m becoming a little bit of a massage snob. However, what I get from the massage can definitely be described as ‘physical self help’ (yes, I made that up…..). While  someone else is clearly doing the massaging, spending the money on myself for this physical reward is worth every penny!

I’ve found that the massage does just as much for me mentally as it does physically (well, almost). I love to get 90 minute massages (who doesn’t?), and the spa that I go to is fairly reasonable for the price (I think it’s $95 for 90 minutes….which I’ve paid way more for a 50 minute massage at some hotels….and they have never been as good). What this does for me is it allows me to just sort of slow down my brain for a while. Like most other people, I have a lot going on in my life. I spend the majority of my work day on the computer so my neck is constantly tight. Because the work I’m doing is for my own company, it’s kind of hard to shut it off- and I love what I’m doing. So when I get a massage I really make a conscious choice to relax, breath deeply and enjoy the quiet.  I usually leave feeling in a very calm place….even if I have to get back to my ‘things to do today’ list- I’m able to enjoy what I’m doing, get more accomplished and at a less huried pace.

How I love these thoughts on Whole Living! It seems that each one is totally relevant to what is happening in my life, at that moment! Here’s the next thought from the September issue of Body & Soul magazine, which by the way I realized I hadn’t credited the author yet! The author is Terri Trespicio.

“Worry narrows; gratitude expands. Find ways to celebrate all that you have”. As much as I’d like to think I’ve “let go” of worrying (ha ha), it sneaks up on me when I least expect it. I have a lot going on in my life right now, all of which is good- and this thought on whole living was a perfect reminder about what I have to be grateful for. It’s not just that worrying about things is a waste of energy, it also sends the wrong message to the Universe (as well as my immune system…which is fightly a lovely cold right now) and creates a ‘tightness’ inside that pulls me further away from what it is I want to attract into my life.

The next few days are going to busy, but mainly because I am fortunate enough to be going on a  wonderful vacation with my family next week. It’s certainly something to be gratful for and is coming at a perfect time as well. It’s obvious I need a little break and some down time. I have every intention of just enjoying my time, swimming with my kids, relaxing with my parents and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us.

So I got a message from my body a week or so ago….basically it was a reminder that I’m not 20 anymore (actually haven’t been for a while) and that I can’t stay up into the wee hours of the morning, then get up early and go about my day as usual. This is the third week my kids have been back to school, so the first week is when I pushed myself a bit to much. Soccer also started the same week, so we were of course running around for the whole week.

As things have been picking up with my business, I find myself back on the computer late at night (I guess that’s probably the only downfall to working for yourself, doing something that never feels like work). I tend to be a creature of habit, so when my sleep was cut from about 7-8 hours a night to 6 or less- it caught up to me. After a week of this schedule, I ended up getting pretty sick. Sore throat, congestion, cough, aches, the works. Which is pretty much the only time I get sick….when I’m not getting enough rest. So, by pushing myself (although it didn’t feel like it at the time) I ended up losing a lot of time last week. At lot more than I would’ve lost had I just gone to bed earlier. Oh well. Lesson learned!

Needless to say, I’m back on a better schedule and am taking the time out of my day for rest, meditation and exercise. Taking the time to do these things ensures I will have the strength and energy to do everything else.

I’ve never really been one of those people who LOVES to nap….but sometimes, it’s just the right thing to do. Because yesterday was a holiday, both of my kids were home and we had a lot to do in the morning. It was a long weekend (we had two 11 year old girls sleep over Sat. night….we were all tired), I had worked a little over the weekend and had a paper to post by midnight last night. Before I was really able to get my paper started I had a friend come over so I could help her with one of her websites. Needless to say

Well, my pilates books have arrived. Definitely worth the money ( I think it was about $35 for two books, not too bad. Especially not compared to a private training session at the gym!). I’ve gone through the books and now have to either memorize the moves, write them down, or figure out a way to ’sneak’ them into the gym. What a dink, huh? While I’m trying to figure out how to get the books into the gym (it’s not like they’re that huge- you would think I was trying to smuggle in a baby elephant), I actually was able to

I’ve finally reached a point in my life where not only the quantity of sleep I get is important, but the quality is key too! I remember the days when I could stay out late (not needing to get home to a babysitter/tuck kids in, etc.),get 4 or 5 hours of sleep and still get up on time, go to work and have a productive day. Not anymore. If I’m out to dinner with friends I literally have to think about what I have to do the next day, how tired I am, what I ate, etc. , before having another glass of wine or cocktail! When did this happen????? Who knows…..what’s probably more telling is that I don’t care. I truly value my sleep these days (I’m sure my kids value it too….their lives are much more pleasant when I’m in a good mood).

I have also created somewhat of a bedtime ritual for myself as well. Frightening ,isn’t it? Not so much….it’s not too rigid. Just a warm bath, some bubbles and a book. As far as the book goes, the obvious choice would be some sort of self-help type book (or how to…)- but, it really depends on my mood. Even for someone obsessed with information (I also wonder- when did that happen??? Actually it just sort of evolved!)-I read a novel every now and then. Oh- and of course in addition to my plethera of books, I’m bit of a magazine junkie. I have my phases with those too- but there’s usually the good ol’ standby’s: O magazine, Body & Soul, Self, Shape, Millionaire Blueprints, and when I really want to shut my brain off- People (just to name a few).

And of course, after my tub I am a complete fanatic about lotion. I just got a new body butter- Moonlight Path- pretty nice, but one of my favorites is Vanilla & Bergamot body butter by Bliss. (What a random post this is tonight!)

And lastly, if I’m having trouble sleeping, a couple Tylenol PM and a meditation CD by Wayne Dyer does the trick.

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