Ensure an Awesome Massage: 5 Things You Can Do

Have I convinced you of the importance of taking care of yourself as a parent or caregiver to a young child?

For the sake of this post, let's say so.  Let's also say that a great massage is one of the ways you've chosen to make that happen.  You've done your homework, and taken all the steps to prepare for a great massage...now what?

There are a few things you can do during and after your massage to make sure you have a great experience.

During 

1. Relax....and Feel Comfortable

Unless you're getting a seated or chair massage, it's likely that you'll be invited to remove some or all of your clothing before beginning your massage.  Doing so allows the massage therapist to access muscles more easily, but it's up to you which pieces of clothing stay.

In order to get the most out of your massage, you have to be comfortable!  If you're tense and worried about feeling bare, you won't enjoy your massage.  Better to leave on a few bits of clothing and enjoy the experience than ruin the whole thing trying to conform to what you think the expectation is!  At least in the US (other countries may allow different practices, always ask first!) you will always be fully covered except for the area being worked on, so no need to worry about feeling exposed!

How this is handled will vary from place to place.  Some spas I've visited have had a locker room, and I've been given a robe to change into.  Other places have showed me to the massage room then given me some privacy to change and climb onto the massage table and cover myself. (Outside the US, practices may vary - best to talk with your spa beforehand if this is a concern!)

2. Relax...and Clear Your Mind

I know how hard it can be to try to remove the thoughts of your kids, your to-do list, and everything else we have to handle on a day-to-day basis.  I may or may not have written this post in my head while lying on a massage table (it wasn't the best massage I've ever had, needless to say...) so I definitely get it.

Try hard to to listen to the music playing, relax, and just be in the moment.  A simple meditation technique I sometimes try is to just count deep breaths.  Close your eyes, and breathe in slowly while counting 1...2...3...4...then breathe out slowly 1...2...3...4... do this for several cycles, and you should feel relaxed, and have a clear (or at least clearer mind).

3. Relax...and Make Sure You Enjoy the Experience

A good massage therapist will know how to listen to your muscles and apply the right techniques to work with what they need.  That doesn't mean they can read your mind, though!  Sometimes, they might ask about areas you'd like to focus on, how much pressure you prefer, etc. before they start, others do not.

Regardless, if you're in the midst of a massage, and you'd like them to use more or less pressure, speak up! Sometimes massage might be a bit uncomfortable, especially if a therapist is working with especially tight muscles, but you should never be in ought right pain.  Don't ever be afraid to ask the massage therapist to back of the pressure a bit or to let them know that you are experiencing pain.

A massage isn't one of the places I feel the need to chat with my practitioner throughout our time together.  Don't feel like you have to be absolutely silent, though.

After

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking lots of water is always a good idea.  After a massage, it's especially helpful.  

All that work on your muscles also drains water from your soft tissues.  It's important to re hydrate after this workout.  

Plus, all that released water has to go somewhere.  In this case, it goes to your kidneys along with all the waste/toxins that were released from your muscles.  Drinking plenty of water helps to flush them right out of your body.  

5. Expect a few Sore Spots

Especially if you've had some serious knots worked out, you might have a few sore spots after your massage.  Again, these spots should be painful, but might feel like you've just had a good workout.  This should dissipate after a day or so.  If not, I suggest getting back in touch with your massage therapist and/or your medical provider!

Some easy stretching and/or a warm bath might help to care for your original tension as well as your newly sore spots.

We've looked at using a great sugar scrub and lotion, an easy stay-at-home date night, and massage as great ways to care for yourself so far.  What else is on your list of self-care musts?

7 Ways to Prepare for a Tremendous Massage

Taking care of yourself is so important.  It helps you feel great, and in turn be a better caretaker, co-worker, spouse, friend, etc. I can't stress enough the truth I've found to the statement "you can't give what you don't have." Treating yourself to a massage - weekly, monthly, occasionally - can be a super part of that self-care.

Massage is a great way to relax, relieve tight muscles, and can even be a beneficial part of healing an injury.  To make the most out of your massage though, it's important to do certain things before, during and after your appointment.  In this two-part series, I will share with you simple things you can do to help yourself have the most awesome possible experience treating yourself to a massage.

*I am not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice.  Please speak with your medical professional before starting a massage regimen*

Before

1. Determine if Massage is Right for You

I greatly enjoy a good massage, and encourage you to enjoy one too.  It's important to know that massage isn't for everyone, though.  Certain conditions such as fever, cold/flu, early pregnancy, heart problems, cancer, and many others might be contraindications for massage.  If you have any medical conditions, you should first discuss with your doctor and your massage therapist if massage is the right fit for you.  Maybe you just don't enjoy massage - that's OK too.  There are other ways you can relax and care for yourself if massage isn't for you.

2. Decide What Kind of Massage You Want

There are lots of different types of massage.  Most frequently, I go for Swedish or relaxation massage  - probably what you see most often portrayed as massage.  Other common types are deep tissue massage (deeper layers of the muscles are massaged to relieve chronic tightness or muscle pain), hot stone massage (smooth stones are heated and placed on specific areas of the body to loosen tight muscles and balance energy) and pregnancy massage (specially trained massage therapists provide a massage using the proper positioning and support to care for both mama and baby).  There are lots more, too.  

Most spas will have a menu on their website describing the different types of massage they offer. Decide what sounds best, and start there.  If you have questions about what a particular type of massage entails or if it's right for you, don't be afraid to call the spa and ask!

3. Choose Where to Get Your Massage

It seems like you can find massage offerings almost anywhere these days.  Do you prefer a more medical setting or something more spa-like?  Ask for suggestions or check out some websites for local spas, salons, or private practitioners.

4. Call and Ask Questions

Are you trying to decide between a few different places?  Are you still trying to decide which type of massage is for you?  Call and ask!  Any good business should be willing to answer any of your questions.  If they seem hesitant to help you or un-knowledgeable about their offerings, it should be a red flag.

Other important questions to ask should be about pricing, tipping policies (some spas don't allow tipping, others automatically add a tip to the price of the massage, others leave it up to your discretion), cancellation policies, and anything else you want to know about making your massage a great experience.

5. Make an Appointment

Some locations will require to make an appointment for your massage.  Others will accept walk-ins.  I suggest making an appointment to get the most out of your time.  Even though a spa accepts walk-ins, it doesn't mean someone will be available when you arrive or that they are the best at performing the type of massage you want.  To make sure you get the best massage possible, I suggest making an appointment as far in advance as possible.

This is also the time to let the spa know if you prefer a specific massage therapist, would rather a male or female, or other special considerations.  Don't show up for your massage and expect that they will be able to make accommodations - while they might be willing, they may not have the staff available to do so.

6. Hydrate

To get the most out of your massage, you'll want to drink plenty of water leading up to your appointment.  Make sure to visit the restroom just before your massage to avoid any discomfort, though!

7. Arrive a Few Minutes Early

You want to be relaxed during your massage.  Make sure to allow yourself enough time to arrive, park, and check in a few minutes early.

The spa might have some forms for you to fill out indicating your areas of soreness, injury, etc. Many will also offer you the chance to change into a robe, have something to drink, and relax in a quiet room before your massage starts.

This is also a great time to ask any last minute questions, if you have any.

Hopefully, by preparing, you'll have set yourself to have an awesome massage.  It's time to meet your therapist, and enjoy!  Stop back soon to see my suggestions for enjoying you massage to the fullest, and how to take care of yourself afterwards.

Do you take care of yourself with massage?  Do you prefer a spa setting or somewhere else? What other things do you do in order to take good care of yourself?

Date Night: Wine and Cheese at Home

When I say "date night,"  it could mean the traditional date night with your spouse or significant other.  It could also mean a night out with friends. It might even be something fun to do alone as "me time."  If you are married or in a committed relationship, I am an absolute advocate for nourishing it, and  making that relationship a priority.  It's also important to honor yourself and your friendships, though.  I hope you'll find some inspiration for fun ways to do all three!

Taking care of yourself is an excellent way to be prepared to take great care of the other people in your life.  This extends from yourself as a single person to nurturing the important relationships in your life.

One of the date nights my husband and I enjoy is sharing dinner together after the boys are in bed.  It's a chance for us to spend time together, eat a meal uninterrupted (hopefully), and it doesn't require getting a sitter!

One dinner that we go back to time and time again for this date night is a wine and cheese plate.  Now....we are far from being connoisseurs in any of these areas.  We just pick a few things we know we like or look fun to try and go with it. We also put red wine in glasses meant for white.  It was nothing fancy, but it was a tasty date night!

On this particular night, we tried:

1. Mini Beef links

2. Pepperoni

3. Summer Sausage

4. Peppered Salami

5. White Cheddar

6. Havarti

7. Bruchetta Jack

We had a few different kinds of crackers and made a honey mustard sauce out of
yellow mustard and agave.

All of that was paired with a red wine we had on hand.

We put our spread on a wooden cutting board, grabbed a couple of plates, and had a picnic on the floor.  With no toddlers around, we were much less concerned about spills.  We did set our glasses on a nearby end-table though, just to be safe.  Red wine stains on our year-old carpet would have ruined the night.

All in all, it was a nice relaxing dinner and a nice chance to spend a little time together.  Next time, though I'm definitely making sure the only thing that was missing gets addressed - a rich chocolate dessert!

Pampering as Part Of My Normal Routine

This post was sponsored by Whole Foods Market who provided the products I tried to me free of cost.  All opinions and wording are my own.

Remember, "Nemo dat quod non habet - you can't give what you don't have." Taking care of yourself is SO important, but it can be incredibly difficult to try to squeeze one more thing into the day, especially when there are little ones to take care of. That's why I love doing little things to pamper myself that fit into what I have what I already have scheduled. 

One way I do this is by incorporating a scrub and lotion into my shower routine. Using these two products adds less than 5 minutes to taking a shower, and they are worth every second! 

The awesome Whole Body team at Whole Foods Market helped me to choose the exact products I've been using.  I told them that when I use a scrub, I like something that feels super scrubby. I also told them that I wanted to find a lotion that doesn't leave a sticky feeling. (I didn't share how much I loathe the sticky feeling some lotions leave.) They took it from there, and they did an outstanding job!

Sweet Citrus Sugar Scrub

I was a bit leery of a sugar scrub at first.  I have found the most success with salt scrubs in the past, and didn't think sugar could possibly feels as good on my skin. I did think it was pretty cool that this is a product made in-house at Whole Foods Market and available in bulk, though, so I decided to give it a try anyway.  After using this product for a couple of weeks every-other day, I'm happy to report how wrong I was!

This scrub had a texture similar to damp sand.  Rubbing a
quarter-sized bit of the scrub on each leg leaves them feeling soft, smooth, and ready for summer!  It also releases a nice, subtle citrus scent that reminds me of cutting into an orange.  It definitely stands up to the salt scrub I have used in the past, and even surpasses it's results.

I did find that the sugar scrub dissolves in the water faster than salt does. The quicker dissolving doesn't stop it from doing a fantastic job of scrubbing - especially if I'm rushing through my shower to head out to work or tend to the kiddos.  If I'm taking a more leisurely shower, I might try a smaller amount of scrub and do only part of my leg at  a time.  I did use this on my heels as well, which needed some attention after this past winter.  It did a great job of softening and smoothing the rough areas!  I would caution you if you choose to use this product on your feet, as it can cause things to get a bit slippery.

Because of how the sugar dissolves in water, I was a tad nervous about leaving the container in the shower.  I contemplated transferring it to a mason jar, but didn't think the metal lids would fare well. I keep thinking I should find something else, but haven't come up with a better option yet.  After two weeks of sitting on the shelf in the shower, the remaining sugar scrub is still in perfect condition, though!

Deep Steep Body Butter

When talking about a lotion to try, I shared that I was looking for something that was a great moisturizer but wouldn't leave me feeling sticky or greasy.  I didn't share how incredibly sensitive I am to those feelings or the countless number of lotions I've tried once or twice and then tossed aside when they didn't fit the bill in this area.

The Whole Body Team at Whole Foods Market knew just the right answer to my request, deep steep body butter - this is my new favorite lotion.  It's thick and holds in the moisture - even using it only every other day, but it absorbs quickly and doesn't even leave a hint of stickiness!  I also like the mild citrus scent which pairs nicely with the sugar scrub.

I've been using this lotion after my shower when I use the citrus sugar scrub.  While the directions say it can be used as an all-over lotion, I have been using it only on my lower leg and really focusing on my knee and heel areas. After just two weeks, I've noticed how much softer the skin has become on my heels and knees after the winter left them quite dry.  I've also found that on the "off" days my legs still feel soft and well-moisturized. 

A new lotion in the house is never safe from my husband's quest to end his dry skin issues.  Here's what he thought:

I have been using Deep Steep body butter from Whole Foods Market for about 3 weeks now.  I must say that I have been very pleased with the results so far.  With very minimal usage (maybe 4 times per week), I have seen pretty substantial results.  Before I used this cream, I tried many other options including, a skin care company's night cream made especially for very dry skin, petroleum jelly and various other lotions.  My pants used to stick to my knees like Velcro when I put them on.  That is a thing of the past now.  I do not have any more raw cracks.  The smell is also quite pleasant (very mild)  The absorbency factor is quite nice as well, and there is no greasy feel.

To top off the great things about this lotion, it's cruelty free - not tested on animals!

These are both products that I have no intention to stop using.  They do their job well - my skin is now summer ready! They last, so I'm not having to make a trip every week or two to replace a product that requires substantial amounts be used each time to get results.  Plus they smell great!

Thank you Whole Foods Market and to the Whole Body Team for introducing me to two new products that are becoming one of my favorite parts of my day!

My mini pampering routine is just one of the ways I take care of myself by fitting something special into my daily schedule.  What's your favorite way to sneak something special into what you do everyday?

You Can't Give What You Don't Have

When I was pregnant with my first child, my mom and sister hosted a family baby shower for my husband and me.  It was a co-ed shower attended by my aunts and uncles, grandparents, and a few family friends from the town where I grew up.

One of the party "games" involved asking each guest to impart some wisdom or advice to the new parents by writing a tip on a paper frog.  We got lots of great advice!

"Affirm best efforts, not just best results"

"Don't arrive home and say 'What's for dinner?' Arrive home with dinner"

We also got some tips that seemed a little strange at first, but have turned out to be incredibly profound!

"Rule #9 Always carry a knife" (Any other NCIS carbs out there?)

And then there was this gem:

"Nemo dat quod non habet - you can't give what you don't have"

Oddly enough, this philosophical tip came from an uncle with no children. He was just about spot-on, though!    I certainly don't put myself first ALL of the time.  But I do notice what a difference it makes when I take the time to take care of myself, and even pamper myself a little!

On days when I've had enough sleep, when I've eaten well, and when I'm feeling centered, I have the power to do great mom things.  I calmly ask my 4-year-old for the 3,000th time to put his shoes on so we can play outside.  I pull out the play dough without so much as flinching when  all the colors get smooshed into one. I pretend to love the worm being held less than an inch from my nose.  I don't even bat an eye as my 2-year-old dumps his milk on the table in protest.

There are days when I don't heed his wisdom, though.  Maybe I'm just too busy, or maybe I'm already stressed or ill.  Whatever the reason, these are the days that I make parenting choices I'm not the most proud of.  My fuse is way too short. I snap instead of offering another chance.  I don't have the energy to get down on the floor and take part in the game of cars that's going on. 

When you're taking care of little ones, it can be hard to make the time to take care of yourself - but it's SO important!  "Nemo dat quod non habet - you can't give what you don't have."

In the spirit of supporting you and your family not only through your communication journey, but through being important in the lives of little ones, I am excited to start sharing some of my posts with you about "being your best you."  I'm already thinking of some fun date night ideas, easy ways to inject some pampering into your busy schedule, and even some fun family activities  There will still be plenty of posts about signing with your little ones too, so I hope you'll visit often for a little bit of inspiration!

What was the best advice you got about being a parent or caring for little ones?