Pampering on Purpose: Why treating yourself is healthy, not frivolous!

Did you miss me last week? Gus and I took a little break, and I didn't look at my laptop once! Which really fits in with this month's post from Gwen - it's all about pampering yourself to relieve stress. It's amazing how just little things can make a difference. So read on, enjoy, and pamper yourself without feeling guilty!!


Life can get stressful. Like Murphy’s Law says, some days, anything that can go wrong, will. If you’ve ever had one of those days, you know exactly how stressful they can be. Your car gets a flat tire when you’re already running late for work, you spill a cup of hot coffee on yourself, your printer jams, you find out you have to stay late at work…

When these type of days start to happen on a regular basis, stress starts to mount, and eventually, it takes its toll. Chronic stress impacts a person in a myriad of ways. It can cause physical ailments, such as headaches and muscle aches, as well as psychological ailments, including anxiety and depression.

The bottom line is this: stress is bad for both the mind and the body. So how can you overcome stress? By remembering to treat yourself to some much-needed rest and relaxation. Put everything else on hold for just a bit and put yourself first. Pampering yourself is well-worth the benefits.

A massage is a powerful tool for combating stress. It can treat many of the side effects of stress, including stiff muscles, headaches, tension buildup, and so much more. All of these benefits can do wonders to improve your mood and help you deal with daily stressors much more effectively.

Have you ever noticed that your skin seems to break out when you are stressed? When your skin looks unhealthy, it can make you feel even more stressed out.

Give your skin some TLC. Put on a face mask to remove the buildup of dead skin cells. Wash your face with a high-quality face wash. Apply a moisturizer. Soak in a warm bath filled with soothing essential oils. When you pamper your skin, it looks refreshed and renewed, which can do a world of good for your mood.

Stress is often the result of lack of sleep. And when you’re stressed, trying to get a restful night of sleep can seem next to impossible, especially when your mind is racing because you can’t stop thinking about everything that needs to be done.

Your body needs rest in order to repair itself from all of the damage that stress can cause. Instead of staying up late to catch up on your favorite TV show or tend to your list of things to do, turn in early. Turn off all technology at least 30 minutes before you retire to quiet the mind. Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool and comfortable. And, if possible, try to take a nap during the day to recharge your batteries.

It can be hard to say no, especially when you have a lot of people depending on you. You don’t want to disappoint anyone, so you continuously say yes to any request that is made; but when you constantly say ‘yes,’ you will end up disappointing yourself.

Trying to keep up with all of the demands that you have placed on yourself can get overwhelming. It can be hard to juggle everything on your plate, and when your plate is overflowing, it can make you feel incredibly stressed. Learn how to say ‘no’ once in a while and take some time for yourself. When you say ‘no’, what you are really doing is saying ‘yes’ to your overall health and well-being.

Stress is a normal part of life, but when it starts to build up, it can have devastating effects. Treat yourself to some pampering so you are better equipped to deal with all the stress that life throws your way.