One of the lessons about relaxation that I learned while giving my treatments was that the sooner into the process that my clients would let go and relax, the deeper into relaxation they would be able to go, and the more relaxation time they were able to enjoy. 

      My advice to you while giving yourself a time of pampering is to learn to clear your mind and relax your body as soon into your treatment as possible.  Again, the best way to do this is to fill your mind with a relaxing thought.  The mind is like a vacuum.  It always wants to be filled.  If you don't fill it with relaxing thoughts, it begins filling itself with those typical daily thoughts like "Did I remember to pay that bill?", "I need to pick up Mikey at 3:00", "Next week is Cathy's birthday" etc...etc...  So choose your thoughts and this is less likely to happen.  Some of my own favorite thoughts have been about childhood memories of Grandma's house, being at the beach, and walking through a beautiful garden.

      Choose your thoughts, so that your thoughts don't choose you.  And be conscious of this early into your pampering session so that you will get more pampering time into your treatment.  Once you are completely relaxed you won't have to consciously choose your thoughts.  Beautiful and positive thoughts will stream into your mind.  A relaxed mind brings about a relaxed body... and a relaxed body brings about a relaxed and positive attitude.

      Wow, I'm trying to remember the days when I could decorate my bathroom.  Now I can't even leave a shampoo or conditioner bottle on the rim of the tub, or my toddler will empty it out on the floor while I'm brushing my teeth.

  I love visiting other people's homes where there are pretty, neutral-colored things in their rooms.  Candles, books, vases, flowers, It's all so nice.  I'm just happy if I'm not stepping on a Lego, or a moving object with wheels on it.

SOMEONE INVITE ME OVER TO YOUR HOME SPA, OKAY?          -Deb

Oh, boy can I identify with you!  My decor is a theme I call "Tossed Toys" with a little bit of "Mom's Overwhelm".

      Sometimes the joy of relaxing requires nothing more than silence.  But sometimes that's not possible and you need to block out the noises that are there at the moment.  And sometimes it's just nice to have sounds that enhance the mood that you want to create.  Nature sounds are enjoyed by most of us, simply because they bring about feelings of being on vacation, or just being outside in a natural setting.  Nowadays there are many alternatives when you go to buy your nature cd's.  You'll find every choice from ocean waves to the sounds of the Bayou, and everything in between.

     One of my all time favorite series of relaxation cd's is one called "Golden Voyage".  I used to listen to it as I gave my facial treatments about 20 years ago and I've never forgotten how lovely it was.  It truly took you on a voyage through it's simple sweet music mixed with it's chimes, water  and other natural sounds.

     If you enjoy harp music, Hilary Stagg has a couple of cd's that I've found to be very uplifting and enjoyable.  As well as Andreas Vollenweider, who's music takes you on it's own kind of journey.  It tends to speed up at times, but none the less, takes you away from your ordinary day.

     The New Age artist, Stephen Halpern has given me many many hours of enjoyment through his slow steady notes that take you to never-neverland.  His music is absolutely perfect for massage, which means that it's perfect for your at-home pampering treatments.  Just please make sure not to fall asleep in the tub!

     Unless you're following someone else's recommendation, always listen to a relaxation cd before you buy it.  I can't tell you how many times I've been fooled by a very relaxing cd cover with a very relaxing title.  There's nothing worse than relaxing back in the tub, sinking into bliss, only to find that there is that middle section of the cd that speeds up and turns into a rock 'n' roll event.  There are so many excellent cd's to choose from these days.  The right ones will really add a nice element to your experience.

During my first and only massage, the therapist played very relaxing sounds of waves and some very slow music.  It was almost more like single notes being played and drawn out than music.  It was incredibly relaxing and I'd like to get something like that to play for myself.  I also like classical, but think I'd like this better for this purpose.      -Daniell

      There are so many things that you can do with your 'me' time.  Taking a nice long bath is my all-time favorite.  Just lounging in a tub filled with a beautiful all-natural scent can be heavenly.  But  there  are so many different treatments that you can give yourself if you want to add more beautifying to your session.  Nowadays there are a myriad of different all-natural products that one can use to cleanse and beautify themselves with from head to toe.  Treat yourself with the products that you usually wait for others to give you as gifts.  Bath salts, hydrosols, facial masques and scrubs, hair packs,  these are the delightful products that you can use to create your own special treatment.

      Why do we give ourselves 'Spa Luxury' time at home?  Because it's a way to re-group, come back to our beautiful selves, and have more to offer the world.  The beautifying and cleansing process achieved by our body is just as important as the beautifying and cleansing done to our psyches.  That's why it is so important to tune out the world completely.  Sure, you can bring a friend or spouse into your pampering with you.  But just remember that this is a selfish pleasure that will turn back the hands of time if you do it right!  Light candles, play your soft sounds, turn off the phone, and just ... reeeeelax.