For a lot of people, the idea of pampering themselves equals reckless indulging. And sure, some self-care routines may seem more elaborate than others. But that's not to say that they're over the top.

In fact, we could argue that a bit of self-spoiling (at least from time to time) makes for a necessary step towards physical and emotional wellbeing.

And the best thing is, there are no limits to how you can effectively invest in your health and happiness. All it takes for you is to find what works and allow yourself time to enjoy it.

Effective Ways to Unwind

We could say that there are as many excellent ways to unwind as there are people in the world. After all, everyone's sensibilities are unique. So, while one person may think of watching a Puccini opera as the perfect way to spend a Saturday evening, another could very well see it as torture.

Nonetheless, some activities generally tend to have a positive effect on physical and emotional wellbeing. And what's interesting is that even science confirms the benefits of these pampering practices.

A Relaxing Bubble Bath

One of the easiest ways to pamper yourself from the comfort of your own home (and on a budget, might we say) is to indulge in a hot bath. And it doesn't even have to involve scented candles and a generous glass of wine to get you the desired results.

Research has shown that taking a hot bath improves circulation, breathing, cardiovascular health, regulates blood sugar, and even burns calories. And, it's also an effective way to manage pain, especially after vigorous physical activity.

The Right Cosmetic Products

Another easy way to indulge is to invest in cosmetic products that produce physical and mental health benefits.

For example, it's well-known that certain scents such as lavender induce relaxation. But did you know that the herb also has antimicrobial and antifungal properties?

And the best thing is, it's easy to include these types of cosmetic products in your everyday routine. So, something like a rosewater toner isn't just a product you put on before moisturizing. It's a calming go-to that you can re-apply throughout the day whenever you feel like you need a bit of freshness or serenity.

A Much-Needed Break Away from Home

For a lot of people, going away on holiday seems frivolous. And, over the past year, it's also become a difficult thing to pull off. But it turns out that taking a short (or long) vacation could be the key to proper physical and mental rest.

Research data collected over the past few decades shows that going away for a few days or weeks doesn't just promote a better mood. It also improves heart health, boosts mindfulness and creativity, reduces stress, and acts as an antidepressant. With all these benefits, it's clear that a long weekend away isn't a waste of money. More than that, it's an investment in health and happiness.

Your Favorite Comfort Foods

Unfortunately, most of us have been taught to believe that indulging in an "unhealthy" meal from time to time equals cheating. But that couldn't be further away from the truth.

According to Greatist, indulging in a calorie-rich meal from time to time could normalize leptin production (the hunger-balancing hormone), prevent gaining back weight after coming off a diet, and could even put a stop to severe cravings associated with restrictive dieting.

It's important to note that the absolute best way to approach your nutrition is to develop the habit of eating intuitively. This will prevent overindulging and nurture a healthy approach to food.

How to Turn Self-Pampering Into a Routine

Rather than a sign of being spoiled, indulging from time to time is a sign of taking good care of your mental and physical health. Now that you definitely know that, you may be wondering about the best way to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.

The answer to that problem will differ from person to person. After all, a vacation takes much more resources than spraying on a refreshing face tonic. But, the three rules will stay the same, no matter your preferred way to unwind.

1. Always make sure to block out time in your schedule for self-care. Unfortunately, it's easy to sacrifice practices we deem self-indulgent. However, if these activities are on our schedule, we'll be much less likely to give them a miss (and reap the benefits of doing them afterward).
2. Communicate with your household members about why you need these practices in your life.We all have different approaches to self-care and relaxation. As a result, it can be difficult to understand other people's needs (particularly if they're different from our own). To avoid feeling guilty over taking much-needed time for yourself or to prevent your household members from holding quirky practices against you, make it your point to communicate why you feel these pampering sessions are important to you. That way, you'll avoid misunderstandings (or even worse, feelings of resentment).
3. Don't let yourself feel guilty.Finally, to turn self-care into a regular part of your everyday routine, you have to come to terms with one crucial fact: this is something you're doing for yourself. Not because you're spoiled or indulgent, but because your physical and mental wellbeing depends on the effects of certain practices. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can start feeling like proper royalty – without feeling judged for it.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – a case for changing your mindset from thinking that self-pampering is a wasteful practice to accepting it as a way to invest in personal wellbeing.

In the end, we must all realize that we're only as healthy and happy as we allow ourselves to be. With that in mind, it becomes clear that giving ourselves anything we need to feel our best makes for one of life's best practice rules.

Author Bio:

Sarah Kaminski is a life enjoyer, positivity seeker, and a curiosity enthusiast. She’s been a freelance writer for over a decade and loves researching health and wellness topics.

This article was submitted exclusively to CrystalWind.ca by Sarah Kaminski

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