Having at least some me-time everyday is important. But between kids, jobs, errands, maintaining a household and the other 10,000 things we do everyday, finding that time can be difficult, to say the least. Fortunately, almost all of us (if we really tried) could find 10 minutes somewhere in our busy day to do something great just for us, but what can you do in 10 minutes? As it turns out, quite a lot.
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Below are our favorite tips and tricks for instant rejuvenation and a little spa-style pampering, all in 10 minutes or less.
Make a Facial Mask
Making a facial mask at home is fun and easy. It's also a lot less expensive than having a facial at a spa or even purchasing a bottle of a pre-made facial mixture at the drug store. Plus, by making the facial mask yourself, you can customize your facial for your particular skin type. Whether you have oily skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin or combination skin, you can easily pick up your facial mask ingredients the next time you head over to the grocery store.
While most facial masks require you to leave them on for 15 - 30 minutes, sometimes we don't have that long, so here's a few easy recipes for a perfect 10 minute facial mask:
Facial Mask for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
(from Paula Begoun's The Beauty Bible)
What you'll need:
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- 1 bottle of Milk of Magnesia
Yes, that's it. Just apply a layer of (unflavored) Milk of Magnesia to your face, leave on for 10 minutes then remove with a cool washcloth. Milk of Magnesia is similar to clay (which is a common ingredient in facial masks), but is better at absorbing oil. It doesn't really get any easier.
OK, that may have been too simple. Here's another easy recipe made from fruit and honey.
Banana Mask for Oily Skin
What you'll need:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- A few drops of fresh lemon juice
Mash banana and mix with honey then add a few drops of lemon juice. Apply to your face and let sit for 10 minutes, then wash with a warm washcloth.
These are just 2 quick examples. There are a lot of options for people with dry skin, combination skin, and everything in between. Here's a super simple facial mask that can work for anyone.
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Egg White and Yogurt Mask for All Skin Types
What you'll need:
- 2 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons of plain or Greek yogurt
Mix egg whites with yogurt and apply to face. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water or washcloth.
Did you know pampering yourself at home was this easy?
You can also create an easy 10 minute mask for your hair. Just mix 2 eggs with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and smooth the mixture through your hair. Wrap your head in plastic wrap and let set for 10 minutes, then shampoo and rinse.
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10 Minute Mediations
Sometimes, all we really need to rejuvenate our senses and give us that positive inspiration to take on the day is some calm, quiet time to get centered. If you can't make it to the yoga studio or don't have a nice park nearby for a quick walk, you can pamper yourself at home with a 10 minute meditation.
Meditation is great because it promotes relaxation, helps us deal with stress, and there's really no wrong way to do it. In fact, you can find a lot of 10 minute guided meditations right on the Internet or you can purchase a guided meditation CD to get the benefits of letting someone's voice lead you to inner peace (even just temporarily).
Meditation is really about controlling your breath, letting your mind go blank or concentrating on a peaceful image or message. You can come up with your own "happy place" to visit during your short meditations, or start by listening to guided meditations for ideas and direction.
When getting ready to meditate, find a quiet, calm, and comfortable place. This can be your bed, sitting on a favorite chair or couch, or even sitting or laying on the floor. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, try to diminish the light in the room by turning off lamps and covering windows (you can even light a few candles), close your eyes and just take a few moments to concentrate on your breathing; taking each breath in, holding it for a short moment, and then slowing releasing.
You'll be amazed at how 10 short minutes of meditation can help improve your mood all day.
Avocado Foot Massage
Avocados are truly a wonder fruit. Not only do they taste amazing and contain healthy fats, but they are also fantastic for at-home spa treatments. You can use an avocado to make a facial mask or even a hair mask, but did you know you can also use the pit?
Avocado pits are actually perfect for a quick foot massage. Just place a cleaned avocado pit on the floor and roll your foot over it in a circular motion. The size, shape, and hardness of the avocado pit are great for reflexology-style treatments that massage key areas on the underside of your feet.
You can also treat yourself to a mini-pedicure while you're at it and give your toes a fun or sultry coat of nail polish to keep your feet looking and feeling great.
When it comes to pampering yourself, it's all about spending time doing something special just for you that you love. For some people, "pampering" means getting their nails done while for others, just having some quiet me-time for a few minutes is a special treat. Think about the things that make you happy. Maybe it's reading poetry; maybe it's drawing or doing yoga, or just taking a walk around the neighborhood with your favorite song blasting on your iPod.
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Whatever your personal pampering entails, it's always important to take a few minutes out of your busy day for you. Maybe all you need is a little permission to get started. If so, then you have it. Start pampering yourself for 10 minutes a day and you'll wonder why you hadn't started sooner!