It doesn't take much to help someone else and really make their day.
10 small ways to show that you care
It doesn't take much to give a little of your time to help others. Follow these quick and easy ideas to show that you care and add a little sparkle to somebody's day.
Get together with your best friends and take part in a charity walk. It's great fun to do something together socially as a group and can be really uplifting. And you'll be helping others at the same time too!
Make a little extra supper tonight and take the extra portion to your elderly neighbour.
Offer to pick up your friend's kids from school if you can see she's panicking about getting back from a meeting in time for the school run.
Wash your dishes with Fairy. As well as getting your plates and glasses sparkling and clean, you'll be helping the Make A Wish Foundation grant the wishes of children with life threatening illnesses.
If a friend has been a bit low, turn up out of the blue and take her out for a drink or a trip to the cinema. Giving others surprises really shows that you care.
If you see a youngster at school is upset, encourage your children to go and see if they can help. Praise any kindness they show others.
People who care need help themselves. If you know someone who is a carer for their elderly parents, try and find the time when you can to offer them some help. A day 'off duty' could be just what they need.
Recycle everything you can. It takes 24 trees to recycle a single ton of newspapers so always recycle them. Think before you throw anything out.
Take five minutes to fill in one of those charity bags that comes through the letter box. A couple of paperbacks, an old pair of school trousers and a scarf you've never worn and it will be full before you know it and ready for collection.
Give when you spend. Some banks now offer charity credit cards and will give a donation to the charity when you open the account and a small percentage of what you spend each month
Give yourself a break
Keep supper simple, or make your partner cook for a change, and ensure that everybody is in bed on time. You could hire a babysitter, which gives you the entire evening off. Make sure you have done all the necessary housework before you start to relax. Tell your children and the babysitter only to call in an emergency - a lost toothbrush does not count as an emergency. Set your video to record any favourite programs - you should not be a slave to the TV on your night of relaxation.
Bubble Bliss
With a hectic daily routine, you barely have time for a decent shower, let alone a relaxing bath. When you do find time, make it as decadent as possible. Place tea lights all around the bath and light a scented candle or oil burner, and have a glass of your favourite drink and maybe some snacks at the ready. For the consummate multi-tasker, wallowing in a bath doing nothing quickly becomes a bore. Take a pile of trashy light-reading in with you and catch up on some celebrity gossip.
Beauty blitz
In every bathroom, there are bottles of lotions, potions and creams that have been given as gifts but never used. Why not experiment with these products? You will feel like you have spent the day in a spa, and who knows, you might find a miracle cream or lotion that becomes a new favourite?
Mini massage
If your partner is available, ask him/her to give you a relaxing massage-you can promise to return the favour at a later date. Otherwise, teach your children to give foot rubs - it is good to enrol them early! Alternatively, giving yourself a foot rub can be just as satisfying.
Repeat as necessary
Time out isn't a luxury-it's a necessity, and you deserve it simply by doing the work that you do. If you put aside time for yourself on a regular basis, you will feel less stressed and find the time spent with your family more enjoyable. While these relaxation tips will help you blissfully drift off, even ten minutes' peace can work wonders.
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