Give Your Spouse a Relaxing Massage at Home

Treat your spouse to a well-prepared massage.  Help them relax and ease the tension from a long hard day.

Begin by learning proper massage technique.  You can take massage classes from a massage therapy school or you can find training DVD videos online.  It is important not to hurt your spouse by using improper techniques.  Also, do not attempt a hot stone therapy unless you know what you are doing.

Purchase the necessary equipment.  At very least have a massage table, some linens, and some massage oil.  Find a quiet room in your home where you can avoid the outside world for at least an hour.  Take the phone off the hook and if you have children, let them stay with a relative for a few hours.  The goal is to achieve uninterrupted quiet time with your spouse.  Prepare the room by setting up the table and covering the windows with blankets to block any outside light.  Turn on some relaxing music.  Soft piano music is perfect for this or even some soft nature sounds.  Be sure to turn the music down very low.  Put a glass of ice water in the freezer so that it has time to become very cold.  A heated massage table pad is a nice touch because it feels much better to lay naked on a table when it is warm.  Light some scented candles or burn some scented oil to appeal to their sense of smell.  Do not wear any jewelry or strong cologne or perfume.

Before you begin, find out if your spouse has any trouble areas, like shoulders, neck, or back that are bothering them.  Then, while giving the massage, do not speak if you can help it.  Your spouse will tell you whether the pressure you’re applying is too weak or too strong.  Be mindful of your posture while giving the massage.  You can very easily hurt your back if you are not careful.  Breathe deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth while you massage them.  The sound of your breathing will help to relax them.  Take your time and massage their entire body.  When you are finished, let them lay still and relax for awhile.

When the massage is finished, offer your spouse the cold water and be sure to extinguish the candles.  They may experience dizziness or even nausea after the massage.  If this is the case, care for them and keep the house quiet for as long as possible.  Take turns giving and receiving massages and make it a monthly or even weekly routine.

How to Spend a Relaxing Day at the Beach by Yourself

A day at the beach with the whole family is fun, but a day at the beach by yourself is an entirely different experience.

Do some research online and find a quiet, secluded beach that is appealing to you.  The best beaches to visit when you are searching for a little peace and quiet are the more natural ones without an overabundance of hotels and residential homes.  Believe it or not, beaches like this do still exist and they’re not that hard to find.  You may have to drive a long way to get there, but it will be worth the journey.  Even beaches in close proximity to you may be less populated in the off-peak season and during the week.  Take plenty of supplies with you so that you are comfortable.  Pack a first aid kit in case you find yourself too far from civilization to acquire medical assistance.

Explore the beach and admire the awesome beauty of nature.  Take lots of pictures with your disposable camera, but leave everything else untouched so that the next person to visit the beach can enjoy its natural beauty as well.  If you were brave enough to bring an expensive camera, be very careful to protect it from sand and moisture.  Early in the morning and late in the afternoon are the best times to get dramatic beach photographs.

Find a secluded spot and spread your beach towel or bamboo mat.  Enjoy the soft, peaceful sounds of the waves crashing and the birds chirping.  Immerse yourself in that good book that you’ve wanted to read.  Don’t forget to apply sunscreen several times throughout the day.  You can still be burned by the sun’s ultraviolet rays on a cloudy, overcast day.

Do not swim in the ocean while you are alone.  If you are pulled away from shore by a strong rip current, there will be no one to save you.  Save swimming for your next visit to the crowded public beach with lifeguards.  Never turn your back on the ocean!

Take all of your belongings and your trash with you when you leave the beach.  If everyone can manage to do the same, the natural beaches that we have left can remain beautiful forever.