I’ve learned that “ME” time has never been more important than it is now. I had no idea how much being pregnant can really take a toll physically, mentally and emotionally. In fact, I realize that I still haven’t completely processed the fact that I’m carrying a baby inside me and am going to be a mother in just five short months. I know it intellectually, but I’m just not quite there emotionally.
I hope it will help once we know the baby’s gender and are able to speak to him or her by name. I think it will also help once I get past the second week of August, when I have two huge City of Auburn events I’m in charge of occurring just days apart. Work is really crazy right now so when I’m not working, I’m pretty much just resting and trying to get enough energy and strength to work again the next day.
I’ve been very careful to eat well, take all my vitamins, and get enough rest. But I know my mental and emotional well being is just as important as my physical health. That’s where my bath time comes in.
Whenever we get new exchange students (we currently have three boys from China), I ask them the very first day how they like to relax. They almost always answer “Video Games!”. I tell them, “You play video games to relax, and sometimes for hours and hours. Well I take a bath to relax, and sometimes I’m in there for one whole hour. So before I take a bath, I will always ask if anyone needs to use the bathroom.” Sometimes they don’t believe me but thirty minutes into my bath I’ll hear them opening their door several times, pacing the hall waiting for me to come out of the bathroom. After that they learn I mean it and choose to use the toilet before my bath starts!
I use the bath time for pampering myself. Whether it’s shaving my legs, doing a face mask, or using a deep conditioner on my hair, I find a way to remind myself that even though it often feels like my body is no longer my own, I’ve earned some kind of special treatment at the end of each day. I also take some time to just talk to the baby, telling him or her about about my dreams for them and how much I’m looking forward to meeting them.
Of course, an important part of any bath time when your pregnant is moisturizing all the skin that’s getting stretched out a little more each day. I’ve yet to experience the dry, itchy, cracking skin so many of my pregnant friends have complained about, and I think it’s because I started moisturizing carefully within a couple weeks of finding out I was pregnant.
A few weeks ago I was sent a sample of Dove® VisibleCare™ Renewing Crème Body Wash. I typically just use a plain unscented soap, but thought that it would be fun to give the body wash a try. Of course, I did investigate the ingredients a bit. I’m always encouraging natural products, whether food, toiletries, or household cleaners. While I haven’t yet moved completely away from all synthetic products, it’s the direction we’re trying to go. That said, this Body Wash does contain some chemicals. This site really helped me understand what ingredients are in the soap and if I needed to worry about them.
I have sensitive skin that can be easily irritated, and a little eczema, but I don’t have any skin allergies or acne problems. I decided that it was safe for me to try. The bottle claims it’s designed to nourish and replenish skin, and I knew my skin could use some nourishing.
While I loved the luxurious feel of the body wash, and the thick lather it created, I also know that a thick lather can often be caused by pretty drying detergents and doesn’t necessarily mean anything. But, after a couple weeks of using the body wash (I should point out that I typically bathe every other day, not daily unless I’ve been working out or something), I was really surprised to actually notice a difference in my skin.
My skin looks shinier and healthy, like a just got a body scrub. It also seems a little stretchier though I freely admit that could simply be my imagination. My favorite thing is that my eczema on my hand is no longer visible. This happened after just four times using the body wash! I’m certainly not claiming it’s any kind of cure, it’s not. But I have noticed striking differences in my own skin and am pretty impressed. This past week I’ve added a nightly cocoa butter lotion ritual and holy moly is my skin pampered!
If you’d like to try the new premium line of Dove products, there are three body washes to choose from. New Dove® VisibleCare Toning Crème Body Wash helps to promote skin’s elasticity and strength, the Renewing Body Wash (which I tried) nourishes and replenishes skin, and the Softening Body Wash softens skin and dry spots. You can check them out on Dove’s website, and you can also visit Dove® VisibleCare® to get a coupon for $1 off!
Of course, there’s also a great chance for you to win an awesome prize, one of two $500 spa gift certificates!!! Make sure to read the rules carefully, because this time it’s not commenting below that enters you to win. But I’d still love to know what you use to moisturize your skin. Do you buy soap or body wash? Do you pay attention to the ingredients?
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
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Awe, I didn’t know you were with child ;)! Congratulations! You are right take time for yourself, because once baby comes it gets busy busy busy, and only gets busier. We have 4 kiddos 10,12,14,15, so believe me…me time is not really in my vocabulary…but it’s all good, I love being a mom, and I didn’t have kids so I could be by myself right? Embrace motherhood, enjoy it to it’s fullest! Oh and your questions was how do I moisturize in the summer I use a moisturizer with spf, and I always use spf on my face. I have used the dove liquid soaps and they are awesome!
Baths are the best! After reading this post it makes me want to high tail adding our bathtub into the house so we finally have one! It’s also one of my favorite ways to relax and now I’ve been 2 years with out a tub!