Self-care Challenge- Day 15: Pamper

What comes to mind when you think of the word “pamper?” For me, I see face masks, iced herbal teas, and soothing sounds.

Maybe for you, pampering yourself means getting a coffee and pastry on your way to the bookstore to pick up a new true crime novel.

Or, pampering could be as simple as a midday nap, snuggled up under the covers.

Often, we’re told that taking time for things like face masks, a manicure, or even a hot bath is selfish. However, pampering can be really good for your mental health.

Pampering can help reduce anxiety. A lot of activities like massage or a hot bath help reduce cortisol levels and promote relaxation. Cortisol is the hormone that is released when we’re stressed.
Your self-esteem goes up. When we take the time to pamper ourselves a little, we’re telling our psyche that we value ourselves. This can help give us a little more confidence.
Pampering can have a positive effect on your mood. Pampering activities can release dopamine and serotonin which make us feel happy and promote feelings of well-being. When we feel good about ourselves, we approach life with a more positive state of mind.
You may see a positive effect on your sleep. Pampering can help relax our bodies. When we’re relaxed, we’re more likely to get a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep will have a positive effect when you wake up as well.

Try to take the time today and pamper yourself. Even if you aren’t feeling particularly stressed or anxious, giving yourself a little treat can help prevent those feelings from cropping up. And remember, we aren’t doing these things to be selfish. If your candle goes out, how can you help others light theirs?

What’s one way you can pamper yourself today?

If you’re interested in more info about the self-care challenge, check it out here.

Thank you!

^{((Cover Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash))}