Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

It's now necessary to create your own escape hatch to find relaxation and self-care during the Corona Virus staycation period. All the services women and men have been enjoying in salons can be practiced in your own bathroom. The tools to create this sancturay of self-caring might include candles, soft music, products for exfoliation, face masks, massage, moisturizing, manicures, individual hair care, pedicures and facials. What ever is signature to you and will help keep you feeling relaxed and positive.

I recommend using an electric defuser in your home to keep the vibe relaxed and calm using aromatherapy. I have become a true devotee and have a small one for the bath and larger for the living space. Saje, a Canadian company, makes wonderful oil essences that cover any need and can be purchased online. Whole Foods also offers a large selection of oil essences in their may stores for defuser use.

You may already have a spa you've been going to for years and have their signature products already on-hand or you can order them online for delivery. I have enjoyed treatments at Burke-Williams Spa for years and keep favorite products in my cabinet for home use. A shoulder and neck massage with a hand wand massager can work wonders for stress, and shedding old skin brings a renewal of spirit that is surprising. A good exfoliating brush can also be found on-line. I've done my own mani-pedi for years for health safety reasons and have become adequate at it. You can do it to if your life may depend on it. Worse case scenario you can also color your own hair if roots get to ugly. A root touch up product works fine and they're available at most drug stores.

Create an agenda of the treatments you need, collect the products & tools you will need, and then create an atmosphere where you will be completely comfortable, using your senses to guide you. Select music to play that appeals to you for enjoymet while giving yourself treatments. I love American Indian drum sounds or ocean sounds and sometimes soothing sounds of 'old blue eyes' Frank Sinatra.

When you have completed your treatment regimin try lighting some scented candles and have a drink you've prepared in advance (perhaps a prosecco or pressed juice drink) ready to enjoy as you relax in a soothing scented bath.

Last, but by no means least, is taking time for meditation when your bath ritual is completed. A one hour meditation works for me, and I use tapes to help me get focused with music that keeps me there. Some people simply sit quietly and follow their breath. It's the practice of this valuable tool that matters and making it a habit that will allow you to quickly clear your mind and just let go. Remember body comfort is key for solid meditation. Find a comfortable spot, use pillows, a chair that feels very inviting and relax! Some people use ear plugs or eye masks to block out distractions but I've not found this necessary.

I have discovered some wondeful mediation music tapes for purchase online including "Yoga an Ever Changing Collection" " AVHARA Slow Wave Journey" "Putumayo Presents Acoustic Yoga" "Green Evolution by Sudama Mark Kennedy" as well as wonderful talking tapes by Dr. Deepak Chopra.

Namaste' wishing you inner peace and bliss to carry you through this river of challenges.