The promise of pampering - Kandy Shepherd

What’s your idea of an indulgent treat? When my daughter graduated high school two years ago, I promised her a visit to a day spa. Last week, we finally got there. Two hours of unmitigated bliss in a peaceful, soothing, Balinese-style retreat smack in the centre of the city.

We each chose the “inner-peace blend” of rose, ylang-ylang and sandalwood for our aromatherapy body massage and scrub. This was followed by a gentle facial from our skilled and charming beauty therapists. Not only did my skin feel wonderful afterward, so did my psyche. As a writer, I spend most of my day at a computer and hold my stress in my shoulders—there’s nothing like massage to release that stress.

We were reluctant to leave this lovely treatment area!

My daughter truly deserved her treat; I truly deserved mine. So why did I feel a little guilty explaining where we’d been in the middle of a working day? Even though it was at a bargain price using a coupon offer?

Such a peaceful atmosphere reminiscent of  Bali and Thailand

 “Pamper yourself”, “indulge yourself”, “put yourself first”—I seem to see that advice everywhere. And boy, would I love to do more of it! So much of our lives seems to be devoted to putting our loved ones first. But it makes absolute sense that we should look after ourselves, because if we we’re not on top form how can we look after others? I’m sure my recent pampering session did my blood pressure more good than any medication.

So why don’t I indulge more often? First, money; second, money; and third, time!

I hope the time before my next spa session won’t be measured in years. But in the meantime, I realize there are simpler, less-expensive treats that give my spirits a lift.

TREAT NUMBER 1

Of course chocolate has to come first! I’m talking good-quality chocolate in quantities that won’t send the scales soaring. Dark chocolate is said to be best for you in terms of mood lifting, but milk chocolate is my favorite.

What an indulgence!

TREAT NUMBER 2

Luxurious scented soaps and body washes that turn the everyday shower into a treat. I’m an inveterate bargain hunter and stock up at outlets and online.

I have no idea what Indian Pomelo smells like, but I'm looking forward to finding out!

TREAT NUMBER 3

Shopping. Uninterrupted shopping time where I can wander around a mall, and look at exactly what I want without having to worry about anyone else whining about hunger, sore feet or boredom. If I return home without buying a thing, that’s okay. Although the exhilarating outcome is a little money spent on a big bargain. And the good news is, I’ve just discovered that mall-walking is considered a legitimate form of exercise!

Of course I dream of luxury resorts with lagoon-style pools and trips to exotic destinations but sometime the little treats can be just the thing to set the day right.

What about you? What are your favorite indulgences? How do you treat yourself? I’d love to hear!

Kandy Shepherd writes fun, feel-good fiction. Her books include Something About Joe, Love is a Four-Legged Word and Home Is Where the Bark Is and The Castaway Bride—her heroines love using scented bath products that imbue them with a special scent that tantalizes the heroes!

Visit Kandy at her website

www.kandyshepherd.com

(For Australian readers, the spa we visited was the wonderful Cendana Spa in the Grace Hotel, Sydney.)