Total wellness is a concept talked about often these days, but many fail to address emotional wellness as an important aspect of that. That's unfortunate because someone who is emotionally healthy is better able to control "their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors." In other words, they can more easily cope with whatever life throws their way. However, we often see taking care of ourselves as selfish, so we neglect ourselves while taking care of others. In reality, the opposite is true. Taking care of ourselves first allows us the energy to take care of someone else when we need to.
In fact, experts link positive mental health to better physical health. A good mental state often leads to lower blood pressure and overall reduced health risks. That alone should be enough cause to make sure we're pampered and keeping our emotional health in check. Little ways you can do this are by expressing your feelings before they get out of control, living a balanced life, managing your stress, and eating a healthy diet. Most importantly, though, is finding ways to pamper yourself regularly. This can help take care of all those other little things, like managing your stress. If you're at a loss as to how to do that, here are five fantastic ideas for you to keep in mind.
Splurge on a piece of jewelry.
Sometimes, spending a little money on yourself can help you feel important and worthy. After all, you probably work hard for your money, and paying only for bills and necessities can get tiresome and depressing. Jewelry is one of the best things you can treat yourself with, especially if you're a woman. Not only does it feel nice to own a few nice things, but dressing well is a proven confidence booster.
Jewelry is often attached to emotions and sentiment. People buy their loved ones diamonds or other precious gems to express certain sentiments, such as longevity, engagement, love, and marriage. Fine jewelry might also represent special accomplishments, such as the birth of a child or a big promotion at work. But these special pieces don't have to come from someone else. It's now hugely popular for women to buy jewelry for themselves. They pick their own as a fashion statement and to pamper themselves just a little and to feel like they're worth it.
Treat yourself to a spa day.
Nothing says pampering like a spa day at the best nail salon or hair studio in your area. Most of the best places offer full-service treatments for hair, nails, skin, and body. If you book an appointment ahead of time, you can even make a whole day of it, getting pampered from head to toe. This might include starting out with a massage to relax you, a facial to cleanse your skin, a mud bath to detox your body, and a mani/pedi to top off the day.
Spa days are a great way to spend the day alone or to bond with friends. Alternatively, you can use it as a day to connect with your significant other. Some salons even offer package deals so that you get large discounts for groups of two or more. However you choose to spend it, whether alone or with someone else, just make sure you're focused on treating yourself and showing some self-love.
Get away for the weekend.
Research shows that vacationing is good for your health. Something about the change in environment and leaving your worries behind helps to soothe the soul in a big way. Experts even say that vacationing regularly can reduce the risk of heart disease, improve productivity, and help you sleep better. The best part about all this is that it doesn't really matter where you go. Almost any escape will do. Just be sure it's something you enjoy and doesn't cause you more stress. For example, if you're not really an outdoorsy kind of person, a hiking trip through the Grand Canyon may not be your ideal getaway.
Instead, focus on your interests. If you enjoy the nightlife and excitement, consider a girls' trip to Vegas for the weekend. You can all get dressed up or keep it as casual as you like while finding something everyone enjoys. If you're in the mood for something more relaxing while still offering a bit of outdoor adventure, a casino and inn on the coast can be a site for shore eyes. Here, you'll be able to enjoy breathtaking views while gambling, dining, or lounging. Of course, you can explore some of the adventurous areas outdoors too. The best vacation spots are the ones that offer a wide variety of choices in entertainment.
Take a class.
We're not talking about bookkeeping or business here. We're talking about taking a class to learn something you've always wanted to try. This is an especially great idea if you're spending your birthday alone because it allows you to enjoy the company of others while doing something that brings you joy. Examples of classes you can take include photography, cooking, knitting, scrapbooking, and cake decorating. You might even consider making it a destination class, and travel to a different area to take it.
Spend the day with a good book.
Most people know on some level that reading is good for you, but you may not be aware of just how beneficial it can be. It's proven to improve brain functions, reduce stress levels, lower your blood pressure, increase your vocabulary, and amazingly, contribute to a longer life. That's right, studies show that avid readers survive about two years longer on average than those who don't read or who only read magazines and other such media types. What you read doesn't seem to matter much outside of that. It's recommended that everyone spend at least a few minutes a day reading interesting blogs, career topics, nonfiction, or fiction. And believe it or not, reading the same material in print form seems to have higher reading comprehension scores than those who read the same material digitally.
Of course, these are just a few basic ideas to pamper yourself. If you embrace your creativity, you'll probably find even more ways to treat yourself.
