The best way to make the most of your looks is by establishing a top–to–toe daily body care routine rather than putting in spurts of effort at irregular intervals on a weekly or monthly basis.
Table of Contents
Daily body care routine
- Refreshing the body
- Preparing for the day
- Facial routines
- A healthy start
- Keeping fresh at work
- Housework hazards
- Winding down
- Avoiding night starvation
1. Refreshing the body
Throwing off the bedclothes and leaping out of bed sounds like the ideal way to get up and start a fresh new day. But whilst you’ve been sleeping your body has slowed down and an energetic spurt all of a sudden could come as a nasty shock to it. So it’s far better to ease yourself out to let your body prepare itself for action.
Once you’re up two or three minutes of good exercises will really wake you up these needn’t be too strenuous the old favorite of touching the toes works perfectly well. Alternatively, if you’re a jogging fan early morning is the best time to don your tracksuit and get moving even if it’s cold and grey outside.
A daily bath or shower is a must and should definitely be taken in the morning if you jog or do a lot of exercises then. Showers are very invigorating and quick but, if you can only take a bath make sure it’s only about five minutes one and keep the water warm rather than hot.
Whether bathing or showering use a loafed or friction mitt to slough away rough skin and pep up circulation; pay special attention to the backs of the legs and arms where goose-pimply skin can occur. Use a pumice stone on areas of hard skin-feet and elbows in particular need attention.
2. Preparing for the day
Make a point of using body lotion after every shower or bath to condition your skin. Men often prefer a liberal dusting of talcum powder which can gently deodorize and give a softer feel to the skin. Everyone needs an underarm deodorant.
Allow the skin to dry thoroughly before applying din then let the deodorant dry before dressing. Foot odor can be an embarrassing problem so remember a daily dusting and perhaps a spurt of anti-perspiring food deodorant.
Bruising your teeth thoroughly after breakfast is best but you may like to give them a quick brush beforehand, just to refresh the mouth. Replace your toothbrush every three months and, to help fight plaque, use interdentally sticks or dental floss between brushings.
If you’re healthy and have no digestion or dental problems, bad breath shouldn’t occur, but you may like to make extra sure by using an antiseptic mouthwash. This is also a good way to get your mouth tingling and make you feel fully awake.
3. Facial routines
The daily ritual of shaving can cause its own problems-spotty necklines and chins or dry, sore skin. Constant shaving enlarges the pores and they get clogged with grime who causes blackheads and spots.
Keeping the skin very clean is the best long term solution but an antiseptic medication will clear up spots if they occur. Using a shaving balm will prevent irritation, tighten relaxed pores slightly and help to soothe and moisturize dry skin-and smell good too.
For women’s skincare, the all-important three some cleansing, toning, and moisturizing must be carried out every morning and evening to ensure a clear complexion. If you want to use soap and water too, try a specially formulated complexion bar which will be less drying than ordinary toilet soap.
A lot of cleansing creams can now be washed off with water and these are especially useful if you have sensitive skin which is irritated by soap. Toning gels or solutions will refresh your skin and remove all traces of creams and lotions, leaving it ready for a moisturizer that protects your skin from the elements, helps to keep it soft, and also makes a good base for your foundation make-up.
4. A healthy start
Try to cat breakfast, as your energy level will be low in the morning, so it will need boosting until lunchtime. If you’re not dieting and feel like eating eggs, bacon, or sausages, do so.
But there is plenty of alternatives-muesli, fresh orange juice, yogurt, fruit, and wholemeal toast are all high in fiber content and nutrients.
If you live a short distance from work, try to set off a little earlier and walk. If you regularly sit in a traffic jam on your way to work, try not to get annoyed about the delay as tension can cause headaches, aching muscles, and general irritability.
5. Keeping fresh at work
If your job involves long periods of sitting, take a quick break every half hour or so, just to move your muscles and joints. A walk around your work-place or a quick stretch should be enough to stop you from getting stiff.
Shaking your hands and feet vigorously is a good exercise or you can make large circles with your head, first in one direction then the other, to alleviate tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.
As the pressures of her day build-up, you may find yourself getting hot, sticky, and slightly ruffled. Keep a window open all the time so there’s plenty of fresh air circulating around the room and carry a supply of disposable ‘freshen-up’ tissues to the capsule or use a breath spray.
Eyes can get sore and tired when a lot of concentration is called for; give them a rest every so often by raising your head and looking into the distance for a few minutes.
If you can, take a break from inside at lunchtime and get some fresh air. It will clear your mind, stimulate the senses, and help you work better in the afternoon. Avoid heavy lunches and too much alcohol the only thing you’ll want to do afterward is sleep.
6. Housework hazards
Housework is a job like any other and can have its own problems. If you’re working in a centrally heated atmosphere, keep your skin well moisturized as the lack of water in the air can be very drying and harmful to complexions.
Hands can get very dry if they come into a lot of contact with hot water and harsh detergents. Wearing rubber gloves for all ‘watery’ jobs will help to protect them, and apply rich hand cream regularly. Jobs around the house can call for a lot regularly.
Jobs around the house can call for a lot of bending and stretching and an energetic bout of cleaning can pull muscles if you’re not careful. If you are lifting something heavy, bend at the knees and not from the waist to pick it up. Rather than reach up for an object that’s too high, use something solid and steady to get to it.
Nibbling between meals is a danger if you’re at home all day-biscuit tins, snacks and sweets are often within easy reach. Not buying them in the first place is, of course, the best solution but family needs must be catered for so it’s never that easy.
If you have no will-power at all, try keeping all ‘goodies’ in one cupboard and if you can lock it and give the key to someone who won’t be in all day, the entire better. Keep raw vegetables and a selection of fruit in the house, just in case you need to nibble between meals.
7. Winding down
If at all possible, eat your evening meal fairly early on. Eating late at especially if it’s a heavy, stodgy meal, is not good for your digestion or sleep-the food will lay heavily on your stomach, you’re more prone to indigestion and, because you’re using hardly any energy whilst sleeping, the food is more easily turned to fat.
It is tempting to slump in front of the television after your evening meal but this will make you feel listless and lethargic. So try a change of routine in the evening – meal but this will make you feel listless and lethargic.
So try a change of routine in the evening-go for a short walk or do a little work in the garden. Any gentle activity after a meal will boost your energy level and you’ll be much more able to enjoy a relaxing evening.
Bath-time comes into its own at night. A warm bath just before going to bed will give you a good night’s rest. This is a good time to let hair conditioner soak in or to treat yourself to a weekly face-pack. Hands and feet need regular manicures and pedicures, so try to set aside time for this once a week, in the evening, or at weekends.
8. Avoiding night starvation
Before you sleep, make sure that you have a window open in the room, so that a good amount of fresh air can get in a stuffy room will make sleep difficult and you won’t feel refreshed in the morning. Relax totally by breathing deeply.
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