Give yourself a little gratitude

As Published in the Sun Monthly November 2008
Give a little gratitude to yourself
By Kendra Arnold


The holidays are coming, and so begins the dizzying hustle and bustle of searching for that perfect gift for the ones that we love. Holiday rituals, like shopping, decorating, and attending parties, certainly puts us in the spirit; however these festivities can also create pressure, stress, and frustration. I want to give you all a little reminder that during this time it is important not to forget about yourself. Remember to take a break, relax, and appreciate yourself for all the hard work you have done this year. It is important to reconnect with yourself so that you can be fully present to enjoy this beautiful time of year. Here in Santa Fe, there is a spa or massage therapist right around every corner. Book an appointment for a massage or facial. Take an hour for yourself, to find a little bit of personal peace.

This goes for everyone, no matter male or female, young or old. What good can you be to your family and friends if you are stressed from dealing with too many people, too much traffic, and too much to do in too little time? Taking care of yourself is good for you as well as your family. It takes a lot of energy to balance everyday work and family and then add in the work of shopping, cooking, and traveling for the holidays.

Stress leads to headaches, jaw clenching, body pain and tension, headaches, heartburn, stomach pain, anxiety, depression, and a list that continues for miles. The Mayo clinic offers some suggestions to cope with the holidays, “Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Steal away to a quiet place. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.”

Many men I know cut themselves short; by thinking that spa treatments are for women. I recently got my husband to a massage after some prodding. When he walked out of his appointment, his first words were, “ that was amazing, I want those all the time.” He went on to explain all the ways he felt better. I was thrilled that he now understood the wonders of massage. The benefits of massage, facials, and body treatments are not just about the pampering, although it is a perk. These treatments, when done by a good therapist or esthetician, bring about relaxation and healing in the body.

The medical benefits of massage are enormous. Massage can help alleviate stress, fatigue, muscle pain, and tension headaches. It can also strengthen your immune system and increase your ability to concentrate. Many do not realize how much impact one tight muscle can have on the entire body. A tight muscle can change your posture and balance. This can cause a chain reaction within the body leading to more and more issues.

You might even get yourself a facial. The benefits to your skin are numerous and you get the time to lay back and relax. Facials relax the muscles of the face and jaw, increase circulation, and help lymphatic drainage, which helps drain toxins from our bodies. Don’t forget you will also look great for all of the holiday photos that are coming.

Massage and facials are not the cure all to holiday stress, but they will leave you with less tension. Time constraints are often an excuse to put off taking care of ourselves until later, but it is important to stop and give yourself a break now. Give yourself a little thank you for all your hard work.