We’re not yet out of the throes of winter – spring hasn’t come knocking and the weather is still dreary, cold, damp and miserable. This time of the year can seem disparaging, with bills rolling in (and other general post- holiday blahs), no holiday time-off in sight for the next few months, and for many of us, taxes are due.  Many studies cite the end of January as the most depressing time of the year, and it’s really no wonder that so many people are hit with a little seasonal affective disorder.

That’s why it’s the perfect time to invest in a little R&R, pampering, vacation or staycation to keep your spirits high.   I’ve thought of a few ways to give yourself a little treat…

• Staycation!  Take Monday off and snuggle up on the sofa in your favorite jammies.  Drink hot chocolate and watch daytime tv, read magazines, snooze, or read your favorite book.
• Treat yourself to a spa manicure, pedicure or facial.  If you’re short on dough, Do It Yourself!  Heat up a big bowl of water and steam your face with a towel over your head or slather up with a refreshing face mask like Lush’s Mask of Magnaminty.
• Get out of the house – with room service!  Check yourself into a local hotel for an evening or a weekend.  Take along a bath bomb and spend the evening in their bathtub.  Order room service if you’re feeling extra decadent.
• If you can’t get out of the house, bring that bath experience to YOUR bathroom!  Bust out your fluffiest towel and bathrobe.  Draw yourself a giant bubbly bath (bonus points for sparkly. bubble. baths.), massage a drop of lavender oil into your pulse-points and temples, pour yourself a glass of champagne if you’re feeling frisky, light some fun scented candles and relax.
• If you feel you can’t possibly take a day off for a little at home staycation, book yourself a weekend day, all to yourself!  Cross that day out in your planner and tell people you’re unavailable.  If you want to make time for yourself, you may have to do it forcibly – by not taking appointments that day.  Spend the day doing relaxing things – bake cookies and unplug your internet, turn off the phone.  Give yourself a day of rest.
• If you’re able, book yourself a flight to somewhere sunny, or at least somewhere warm.  Spend part of your staycation just lounging around, eating delicious food and doing almost nothing.
• If it’s in your budget, book yourself a massage (In Seattle, try Clear Awakening or the Dreamclinic).  There’s nothing more relaxing than soothing “nothing” music, and a massage therapist who knows their stuff.

A lot of people like to fill their R&R days with activity – bustling errands, shopping, parties, lunch meetings – and it’s no wonder we often come back from vacation feeling exhausted.  Sometimes it’s best to just take a day to do nothing and recoup from the hum and activity we face every day.

Make that your goal for the next week or two – you may not realize you need that time to unwind until you actually take it.  I promise, you’ll feel better for it!