This is an embarrassing question, but has anyone ever neglected to take care of themselves due to stress and exhaustion?

malloryg8r - It is definitely not too late for you! I don't know how I missed your post. My friend just recommended a "Blues Buster" lamp to me for my winter blahs. It's a giant blast of Vitamin D that you sit in for about thirty minutes a day. It actually really, really helps. I just bought my own this past weekend and I've used it in the morning while I have coffee. Also, grief can be absolutely paralyzing so don't beat yourself up. Imagine - your whole existence was caught up in caring for your mother. Now, that part of you is gone and you need to rediscover yourself. It will happen. I just made an appointment with the dentist after not having gone for over a year. Why is it that we neglect our teeth so easily? Why are teeth the first thing to go? Chin up!

I'm going to introduce something here to address those who feel somewhat guilty or less than properly made up if they don't use makeup. I used to wear makeup when I worked, got away from it when I didn't, and moved much farther away after reading about the chemicals that were in makeup when I used it.

Lead in lipstick was one of the biggest concerns I had. I shuddered to think how much I might have absorbed when eating if the lipstick hadn't worn off. And when it wears off, where does it go? Into your lips? Yuck.

After reading more at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, I gave up makeup almost entirely.

If you're feeling guilty for going out w/o makeup, take a look at all these chemicals in makeup:

If the link gets deleted, Google "Campaign for Safe Cosmetics".

GA I am with you 100%. I don't like makeup and now the wrinkles are coming I ending up looking more like a clown. I do however moisturise every day exfoliate at least twice a week and I use a toner every day too. If I don't I could claw the skin off my face because it dries out incredibly quickly - probably from having to keep the heating on for Mum. I don't buy anything special just Nivea and it has worked from for some 40 years so I see no reason to change now - love the stuff

Sunscreen and more sunscreen. My Mom was 92 when she died and the nurses would often go on about how she had no lines on her face. She was always meticulous about sunscreen and taking her vitamins. In particular Omega 3's.

But Jude you are right about exfoliating too. Otherwise you get this thick layer of dead skin.

Also I think the older you get, less is more when it comes to make-up.

Speaking of wrinkled skin, has anyone ever noticed that Native American women may have wrinkled skin but there's an aura of composure, perhaps satisfaction, or of acceptance? It's hard to define but the men also look solemn and yet at the same time comfortable with their age.

At least they don't look like some of the women who layer on so much makeup that they look like stage performers.

There's something inherently positive about a person who ages and still feels comfortable in his or her own skin.

You are not alone. I use to shower every day. Now maybe once. My mother has dementia and cant be left alone for a min.. she doesn't understand when i ask for her to sit and not get up. She also has a very unstable gate and has already broke her arm from 1 of several falls. Now, shes not left alone for a sec.. i have chair alarms but im paranoid that the alarm will fail. Anyway... I use her wipes and my body cream and spray and pray no one knows. I still work... I just make sure I sit alone. My daughter just here to help... I have to leave in half hour. Just no time for more than a wipe bath.