Treat Your Mom This Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to show your mom you care than to help her relax!

• For the new mommy or mommy-to-be, a soak in a relaxing, warm tub is an excellent way to relieve stress. Just use a bath thermometer to ensure the temperature of your bath doesn’t go above 100 degrees, since hotter water can potentially harm your baby or increase the risk of miscarriage. Try grating the rind of lemons, limes or oranges into your bath, or use slices of lemon to soothe rough knees, heels and elbows. Add one tablespoon of almond or apricot oil to moisturize dry skin. Or, opt instead for a pregnancy or post-pregnancy massage, which are all the rage at spas these days – massage during pregnancy can improve blood circulation, decrease insomnia, provide flexibility and prepare you for intense labor pains. Post-pregnancy massages reduce stretch marks and can help you shed excess baby weight faster.

• If funds are tight, plan a fun, activity-filled day outdoors. Pack a picnic and head down to the beach with a Frisbee. Afterward, treat her to a relaxing escape by creating a personal spa experience for her home. Set a relaxing atmosphere by dimming the lights and placing scented aromatherapy candles in the bathroom. Create a hydrotherapy bath treatment that will do the double duty of energizing and recharging while leaving her feeling more tranquil. Soaks offer multitude of benefits, including helping to strengthen the immune system and improve metabolism. Mix one cup of sea salts (to exfoliate and revitalize the skin while drawing out toxins) and ½ cup of honey (for moisture-retention). Add several drops of eucalyptus essential oil for its antiseptic and disinfectant properties as well as its energizing effect. Try lavender to calm and relax.

• Give her the give of youth with a skin-revitalizing facial. Start with an exfoliating and deep cleansing mask, such as Skinsational’s Multi-Enzyme Smoothing Peel, to detoxify and remove any impurities from the skin. It’ll also help improve skin’s clarity and texture, making it instantly appear more radiant. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and wash off with warm water or gently remove with a hot, damp towel. Pat skin dry. To finish, massage a layer of moisturizer (Skinsational’s Honey Soy Crème is great for dry or menopausal skin) to balance and hydrate. Gently rub in circular motions over her face and around the temples to soothe away tension and induce relaxation.