Taking Care of Sore Muscles the Easy Way

My muscles have been feeling a little sore from yoga strengthening sessions, especially my legs. Despite all the stretching I have been doing, my legs are still fairly stiff, so I decided to try an Epsom salt soaking solution. I found the Dr. Teal's brand at my local pharmacy and decided on the Relax & Relief solution with Eucalyptus and Spearmint. 

As I ran the bath with the Epsom salt, I smelled the glorious, refreshing scent of the herbs and knew I would be soaking for a while. I grabbed a book from my currently reading pile, played the jazz mix my sister compiled for me, and settled in.

The bath left me feeling rejuvenated and my legs felt like new! I am so grateful for the soaking solution. The scent lingered in the bathroom for a few hours, but as it smelled so good it was a welcome guest. Also, there was plenty left for future baths which was nice - a great value!

The Perfect Bath

Relaxation is never easy when there is always so much to do. One of the ways I like to relax is by taking a bath. I can read or watch a movie, listen to music or an audiobook, mull over the day or make plans. Basically, a bath is a great way to multi-task.

The beauty items I have acquired over the months came in to good use whenever I am worn down and in need of some self-care. For instance, the bath bomb from LUSH was perfect! Honey Bee smelled like pure sweetness and was as soothing as a cup of camomile tea.

To start, I removed all my makeup using the YES soothing facial cleansing wipes and ran a warm-verging-on-hot-bath. I filled my water bottle with cold water and played some mood music. 

Although I could have easily fallen asleep, I brought with me a supply of books to read. I was finally able to finish The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, a book that my aunt lent me a while back and moved on to a couple other books I am currently reading. Fortunately I remembered to hydrate myself (hence the water bottle) amidst the engaging literature. 

After soaking for a while, I got out and dried off. My skin has been abnormally dry lately, so I decided to apply an absurd amount of body butter. (My favorite is Blueberry from the Body Shop, but as it is discontinued, I settle for the papaya scent.) I also applied Hope in a Jar by Philosophy, my favorite facial moisturizer at the moment. 

The result of all my efforts and time? Contentment and drowsiness. 

Sleepovers in College?

In college, there's not really much thought given to "sleepovers," unless it's with a member of the opposite sex. I did not have many sleepovers when I was younger, but the ones I did have were not always pleasant. As a result, I appreciate the classic girls' night sleepovers; the ones with gossip sessions and lots of ridiculousness and giggling.

Now, my friends, God love them (because I sure do!), sometimes oblige my random whims. Like, for instance, having a sleepover in their room, despite having my own room and bed just across the way.

Anyway, it was a nice change from normal. We do frequently eat together, study together, and see each other outside of class, but it was fun to spend quality time together. We talked about things other than school and nursing - such a relief!

The communal self-care did wonders. For one, we reaffirmed our lunacy when together. We got a decent amount of sleep too!

The "Almost Family" Effect

I worked throughout high school primarily as an audio technician and in college as a food service worker and Resident Advisor. I had thought that when I started my job as a professor's assistant I would have a very professional mindset and deal with everything accordingly. Not so! Considering the fact I was given the job so graciously by a friend I met through theatre, I should not have expected such formalities. Instead, I have met and made friends with faculty that care about me as a student as well as a person. For instance, my "boss" sent me an encouraging email after finding out I had my assessment tonight. The professor simply suggested taking a walk or running before the lab to help me relax and wished me well, but in doing so I knew I would become as fond of my boss as I have my other bosses.

I also became fast friends with one of the people I will be relying on and working closely with. She immediately offered her assistance with anything I might need help with and noted that I was a theatre enthusiast. We spent a good half an hour talking about theatre and the struggles of being a nursing student while having so many theatre opportunities in the area. She came up with the idea of getting a group of students together to see a local theatre's season opener and proposed the idea to my friend who is, coincidentally, also on student government. I was so surprised at her resourcefulness and her ability to make me immediately feel comfortable.

Fast forward several hours... I emerged from the elevators thinking that I would have some time to review one last time, but no. My clinical advisor is waiting at the open door with two of my fellow classmates and offers to get me started if I was ready. Not wanting to hold up the procession, I went into the lab and began the assessment. Afterward, my advisor mentioned one of my strengths as my ability to make things "flow" what with my almost constant conversation and demeanor. I know it was only a practice round for the real thing, but I hope I can be like my friend earlier and make the client feel as comfortable as she made me feel.

Obviously it is hard to be fully at ease in the healthcare setting (unless, perhaps, you are a healthcare provider), but I think people appreciate being treated by people that make one feel like they are almost related. I like to think of it as the "almost family" effect. Treating people with familiarity and kindness relaxes them and convinces them that you are as trusting as a family member might be. Not that you want to pretend or trick your client, but allowing them a sort of excuse to divulge information or respond in ways that they might not normally.

As you may be able to tell, I am very much looking forward to our time at the clinical sites. I hope that whatever happens, it will be a learning experience that I can benefit from somehow and share.

2am Tea

A few years ago, I woke up extremely early during the summer and had a cup of tea. Granted, 5am isn't terribly early, but it was back then! At that point I realized I would probably end up being a morning person considering how much I enjoyed the calm of the morning.

Since then, I've made it a point to wake up early and have a cup of tea at least once during the summer. I've never really pushed myself to get up earlier than 5am, so I set a challenge on The List to get up at 2am and have tea. I figured if I could get up at 2am and have tea I would be the ultimate morning person!

Anyway, I woke up this morning at 2am and had a nice cup of tea. Normally I would sit outside on the balcony and enjoy watching the sunrise, but it was ridiculously cold so I opted to sit indoors, light a candle, snuggle up in a blanket, and watch All About Eve. (It's from AFI's 100 Best Films list and also part of one of my challenges.) The movie kind of gave a theme to my early morning contemplations... Lately I've been thinking about manipulation.

In the movie, the character Eve Harrington manipulates the truth and the people around her that could have genuinely been her friends. The occasion arrises when she gets her own, but it takes another person a lot more manipulative to do that. People around me have been manipulating me and manipulating the truth and, frankly, I can't stand it. It's more than frustrating.

Fortunately, having tea so early gave me enough peace, quiet, and time to think about the people and situations that are causing so much havoc in my life and give me a little perspective on my thoughts and actions in dealing with them.

I'm not saying it's a good thing for everyone to do, considering schedules and, simply, personality differences, but it's something I like doing and will continue to do so every once in a while.