How I love the end of the day! When all the chores are done, and the kids are sound asleep, and I finally have some time for myself. But after a really busy and stressful day I often find myself trembling with tension, teeth clenched and muscles aching from stress. I think you know what I mean – you all had “one of those days”, I guess. Here are the personal rituals I use to unwind, let some steam off and relax.
Have a nice cup of tea
Not “tea” tea, of course – its caffeine content would keep me awake for half the night. But herbal tea – my own mixture of mint, camomile and lavender. Mint refreshes my mind, camomile helps me relax, and reach a state of clarity.
Dig into casual games with Euro Palace
While sipping on the steaming mug of my relaxing concoction, I like to take my tablet to my lap and play for a while. I searched for the right source of “me-time entertainment” for a long time until I discovered Euro Palace. It is a gaming portal with hundreds of card games, slot machines and other games to play. Euro Palace doesn’t have any annoying ads. You can choose to play for money, but it also provides a choice of free games to play if you like. Some days I choose a slot machine – Bridesmaids is one of my favorites at Euro Palace -, while other times I head over to the blackjack table to take my mind off the busy day behind me. You would be surprised how effective its casual games can be.
Take a warm shower (not hot!)
Before bed, I like to take a long, warm shower. Not hot, mind you. A hot shower is the perfect way to warm you up, but you wouldn’t want to take one right before bed. The hotter the water – and the more you stay in it – the more energy it will give you. Sometimes it can have the same effect as a cup of “tea” tea, keep you awake way after your usual bedtime. And sleep is important – especially if you have a bunch of kids to see after in the morning.
Instead of a hot shower, I choose a warm one (note the difference). It might not be as cathartic an experience like a steaming hot one, but it’s much better to prepare you for sleep. It pushes your body temperature down by a few fractions of degrees – and science says this signals your brain that it’s time to sleep. It is also known to improve blood flow to the muscles, helping them to ease tension much like a mild massage. And when I’m done, to bed with me – and I sleep tight until the morning.
When the day starts all over again.
