“‘Taking time out for yourself is not indulgent. It’s essential’”

I came across these words from Marina Fogle, founder of ‘The Bump Class’ and the wife of TV presenter Ben Fogle, when skimming through the Sunday papers and I literally couldn’t agree more.

Just a few days beforehand, after a hectic day with our two young girls, I cornered my husband and told him I desperately needed some ‘me-time’.

I wanted to either check into a hotel for the night or find a spa with a pool I could sink into for the afternoon.

I personally believe taking time out to recharge is absolutely essential.

I’m a bit of a slave to my phone at the moment and to social media - I’m falling behind with reading and watching films.

I'm easily distracted by technology, my mind is distracted and foggy.

Sharmadean Read who founded WAH Nails and beautystack.com offers some great advice in her column in The Guardian’s Weekend magazine :

“‘You don’t need to move 100 miles to get headspace: simply scheduling a long Saturday afternoon walk in empty fields will do. Go on your own though. It’s remarkable what your brain comes up with when you aren’t preoccupied with other people.’”

So my headspace came in the form of a spa afternoon. I found an offer at a favourite London hotel of mine - One Aldwych and booked myself in for a Sip and Spa treatment - a signature Glow Oskia facial which included a cocktail in the bar afterwards and also access to the indoor pool.

The facial was 75 minutes of luxury pampering and deep cleaning. The luxury treatments on my skin included warm candle wax painted on my face which was just blissful.

I had the pool (which plays music underwater) to myself and got some laps in before sinking into one of the lounger chairs in my fluffy robe and reading a magazine.

A Rose de Mai cocktail was served up in the hotel’s Lobby Bar afterwards. I remember first visiting this bar a few years back, enjoying afternoon tea as the sunlight snuck in and filled the room and its high ceilings with light.

The importance of 'me-time'

I came across these words from Marina Fogle, founder of ‘The Bump Class’ and the wife of TV presenter Ben Fogle, when skimming through the Sunday papers and I literally couldn’t agree more.

Just a few days beforehand, after a hectic day with our two young girls, I cornered my husband and told him I desperately needed some ‘me-time’.

I wanted to either check into a hotel for the night or find a spa with a pool I could sink into for the afternoon.

I personally believe taking time out to recharge is absolutely essential.

I’m a bit of a slave to my phone at the moment and to social media - I’m falling behind with reading and watching films.

I'm easily distracted by technology, my mind is distracted and foggy.

Sharmadean Read who founded WAH Nails and beautystack.com offers some great advice in her column in The Guardian’s Weekend magazine :

So my headspace came in the form of a spa afternoon. I found an offer at a favourite London hotel of mine - One Aldwych and booked myself in for a Sip and Spa treatment - a signature Glow Oskia facial which included a cocktail in the bar afterwards and also access to the indoor pool.

The facial was 75 minutes of luxury pampering and deep cleaning. The luxury treatments on my skin included warm candle wax painted on my face which was just blissful.

I had the pool (which plays music underwater) to myself and got some laps in before sinking into one of the lounger chairs in my fluffy robe and reading a magazine.

A Rose de Mai cocktail was served up in the hotel’s Lobby Bar afterwards. I remember first visiting this bar a few years back, enjoying afternoon tea as the sunlight snuck in and filled the room and its high ceilings with light.

It's so easy to put off ‘me-time’ - make excuses, feel guilty for leaving the kids, or maybe for spending the money.

I can honestly say, a few hours out, even for a spa, dinner or a coffee alone, really can make the world of difference physically and mentally.

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