Although the Labor Day holiday results in a shortened workweek, that doesn’t necessarily result in a lighter workload. For me, a day off just means a condensed amount of time to do my work. A shorter workweek means longer workdays and it’s important not to lose yourself in the mix. I try to never let work consume me to the point that I neglect my beauty and relaxation routines (though I have to admit I am so guilty of doing this). During a busy week, I like to relax and unwind by simply taking care of myself.
1. Tara Stiles Yoga | 2. Lucy Yoga Pants | 3. Yoga Block | 4. Anthropologie Magic Carpet Yoga Mat | 5. Deer Park Sparkling Water
One of my favorite ways to relax in the middle of the workweek is to do a little yoga in the morning before work. Tara Stiles has tons of great videos on her page and on youtube. Her blog is great, too! She posts some great inspiration – perfect for a little hump day pick-me-up. I really like this post, particularly number 4 (Don’t Postpone Your Happiness). Even if I only get to do 8 minutes of yoga, I feel like I’m starting my day off right and I tend to have a more positive outlook throughout the day. After yoga, I’ll hydrate with a bottle of Deer Park Sparkling Water and I’m ready to start my day.
When the days are long and busy, it can be tempting to skip this important step in the beauty routine in the evening. However tempting though, don’t! Your face will hate you. When I sleep in eye makeup, I feel like all of my eyelashes start falling out. Who wants that? If you’re like me though, eye makeup remover seems to be the thing you always run out of and always forget to buy. No to worry! I found this recipe when perusing Pinterest one day and have been using it since. Just mix 1.5 teapsoons of olive oil, 1.5 teaspoons of witch hazel, and 1 cup of water in a bottle and shake it all together. Then apply some product to a cotton pad and get to removin’! I don’t generally keep straight witch hazel around, but I generally have Dickinson’s pore perfecting toner with witch hazel on hand so I just use that. The Dickinson’s bottle is pretty big (and cheap) and I can’t use it fast enough, so I’m happy to have another use for it.
Another beauty routine that I do midweek is use the Clarisonic
. This thing gets my face cleaner than I thought possible. If I remove my makeup and use a cleanser, a toner, and a scrub, the Clarisonic will still remove makeup and dirt that the other products didn’t.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Finally, to keep my sanity during a hectic week, I like to read. I have a Kindle Fire 8.9″, which I love, but I am still a fan a good old hard copy. I like to pull out books I’ve read and highlighted and go back through them. I tend to gravitate towards inspiring biographies/autobiographies or novels “with purpose.” I like to read works that make me want to be better. Other ways I keep my sanity: play scrabble with my sweet Nico, play fetch with my pups, or go for a run. I also like to make a point to do something sort of mindless now and then, like catch up on a show or “read” the latest issue of People Style Watch (backwards, of course).
How do you unwind in the middle of a (short) workweek?
Have a wonderful hump day and be sure to make time for yourself.
Much love,
Mae
Sponsored by Deer Park Sparkling Water