Being a runner requires you to take rest and recovery seriously. Being a mommy jogger? Or a pregnant mommy jogger? Well, even more so! At the end of the day, it’s time to get off those feet! I’ve been enjoying a weekly at-home “runner’s spa night,” which helps me relax in body and mind. I am really loving this now that I’m getting deeper into my pregnancy, but I have also enjoyed this when I’m not pregnant after a long or tough run.
1. A warm bath with about 2 cups of Epsom salts
A warm bath is always relaxing, but adding Epsom salts has been a game-changer for me. Why? Epsom salts are a form of magnesium. Magnesium has been shown to reduce inflammation in muscles to help with aches and pains, and encourage nerve function to help the whole body relax. Sometimes, when I am really training hard, I get restless legs at night. I also usually get this periodically through my pregnancies. I have found that taking an Epsom salt bath really helps me with that! Soak for at least 20 minutes to let the magnesium have time to absorb through your skin.
2. Green Envee pumpkin glycolic peel face mask
This is my favorite pregnancy treat, courtesy of my sister-in-love Nikki at Rooted Essence Massage Therapy and Wellness. (Click the link to get some for you too!) Embarrassingly, during my pregnancies I get a lovely melasma mustache that makes me resemble Hitler. Most people say they don’t notice it, but I do. This face mask feels amazing, and is organic and natural, so it’s completely safe to use while pregnant. It helps with my melasma, and improves my overall complexion. Plus, it smells just like pumpkin pie!
3. Burt’s bees soothing leg and foot cream
My husband got this for me for Christmas, and it has been an unexpected treat. It also came with a belly butter (not pictured) that I use on my pregnant belly every day. This leg and foot cream though, which also contains magnesium, leaves you with a tingly, soothing feeling all over your legs. I love putting it on after my bath and right before I get into bed so I can enjoy the sensation as I fall asleep.
4. A good book
Sometimes what I need to relax even more than my muscles is my mind. Reading before bed has always been a calm-down ritual of mine, and reading during my spa soak helps me shut down my brain at the end of a busy day to get me ready to sleep.
5. And afterwards, my favorite compression socks!
When restless legs hit, I love to sleep in my compression socks! Something about the tightness of the sock really helps my legs get comfortable. And after I have completed my runner’s spa night, I am rarely bothered by restless legs at night.
For related posts, see: pregnancy