It may be cliché, but there is nothing like a good long soak in the tub after a long week of deadlines, fighting children, packing lunches and bosses with halitosis breathing down your neck. Create a “crappy week decompression kit,” also known as a collection of the finest lotions and potions to achieve the prefect bubble bath, and leave your worries behind.
First, pick out a bubble bath or soaking salt. Aura Cacia has a large selection of bubble and foam baths or mineral baths to choose from. Zum Tub also has a tantalizing line of bath salts in scents like lavender-mint and sandalwood-citrus. If you have sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate soaps or salts, opt instead for an essential oil like lavender or sweet orange. You’ll still get the therapeutic effects of the scents without the irritation.
Next, add a bath pillow. The Earth Therapeutics Terry Covered Bath Pillow provides soft, organic comfort. It even has handy suction cups so you can attach it to the tub. You can relax and let your stress float away knowing your pillow won’t. You might also choose to add a few candles to enhance the mood. But be careful! If you’re too tired, the dim light may tempt you to take a snooze and that’s simply not safe.
Now, draw a nice hot bath. The water will cool quicker than you think, so don’t err on the tepid side. Add your preferred soaking solution and fill the water so it’s just high enough to submerse yourself but not so high that it will spill over or make it hard to keep your head resting comfortably on the pillow.
While you’re filling the tub, spray your towel, bath robe, pillows and sheets with an aromatherapy mist (my favorite is the Aura Cacia Pillow Potion mist) and collect any last-minute items you may want. If you’re a reader, bring your favorite book or your e-reader sealed in a zip-top bag to protect against water damage. Maybe you’re in a sexier kind of mood. In that case, grab your favorite waterproof vibrator or go incognito with the Sportsheets Sex In the Shower Vibrating Foam Sea Sponge, and no one will be any the wiser if you happen to leave it behind in the tub.
When you’ve satisfied yourself with plenty of soak time, the luxurious scents of the mist on your towels and sheets will heighten your relaxation. Now satiated, take one last step to soothe your tired limbs. Massage a generous amount of Vitacost 100% Pure Peppermint Oil (mixed with a carrier oil, such as almond or jojoba) onto your legs and feet. Any aches and pains from being on your feet or strutting around in stilettos will disappear, leaving behind a refreshing tingling sensation.
At last, you’re ready to drift off into a peaceful and pleasant slumber and try to forget that you have to get up and do it all over again tomorrow.
“The Bombshell Mommy” is written by Abigail Blank, romance author and mother of three. Frozen Heart and its sequel, Melted Tears, are published under her pen name: Annabelle Blume. Got a question about how to juggle it all and still be a Bombshell? Email Abigail at thebombshellmommy@gmail.com, connect with her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter @Bombshell_Mommy and look for her on Pinterest.