Women across the country are meeting the demands of busy schedules and tightened wallets by setting aside life’s simple pleasures and putting themselves at the bottom of the to-do list.

A new survey commissioned by the makers of Edwards frozen desserts finds that more than nine in 10 American women have cut back on indulgences during the past year. The survey found that 94 percent of American women in the study admit that they don’t indulge or treat themselves as often as they’d like because other people or commitments come first; 56 percent say they don’t treat themselves as often as they’d like because they can’t afford to; and 32 percent say they have less free time than they did a year ago.

Heather Reider and Mary Goulet, founders of MomsTown.com and hosts of MomsTown Radio, know a thing or two about the challenges of juggling a family and career while making the time to treat themselves. “Self-pampering may seem like the last thing on your mind these days,” says Reider, “but treating yourself to something special is so critical to relieving the stress of everyday life.”

Reider and Goulet share these tips and strategies for effortless and affordable ways to celebrate everyday indulgences:

The silent treatment

Home phones, cell phones, e-mail, instant messaging, pagers and the multiple ways you get pinged when you turn on the computer, can be overwhelming. Power off that technology and take a 15- to 30-minute scheduled timeout.

Bring nature indoors

Cultivate a container garden – a window box, urn, basket or round fishbowl. For a fabulous display of nature indoors, use a Bonsai plant, an orchid, a robust green plant, herbs, or layer two kinds of tulips.

Back to basics

Put yourself at the top of the to-do list every once in a while. Simple indulgences such as an Edwards Singles Á La Modes dessert are a quick and easy way to treat yourself to something sweet, as well as fill your kitchen with a delicious home-baked aroma.

Essential essence

Aromatherapy sachets placed in drawers are a sensational way to feel good without doing or spending much. If you’re looking for an energizing scent, try citrus, peppermint or bergamot. To take the stress down a few notches, choose lavender, chamomile, sandalwood or ylang-ylang.

Budding beauty

Go to your local farmers’ market or grocery store and buy a bouquet of flowers. When you get home, break the flower bunch apart into single stems, place the flowers in bud vases and distribute them around the house. When you walk around your home you’ll be greeted with flowers wherever you go. And you did it with just one bouquet.

Hit your funny bone

When it comes to our emotions, it’s really hard to multi-task. It’s nearly impossible to be sad and exuberant in the same exact moment. You deserve to laugh, so choose more moments to get a giggle in your day. Read something funny or rent a funny movie.

While life is full of stressful moments, the benefits of taking time to rejuvenate and unwind can make a remarkable difference.

– Courtesy of Family Features