I ran into Dr. Lynn MacIntosh last week at Skyline Salon after an AWESOME facial with Amanda there. I hadn’t really seen her since she helped me recover from a car accident five or six years ago. She looked great, and said she was also on her way in to see Amanda for a facial. “It’s the only time I sit still!” she said. I can totally relate, because I find going to the dentist relaxing for the same reason. It’s sad but true that often the folks who help other people feel better don’t spend a lot of time following their own advice.
Dr. MacIntosh has been to our office once to get a massage, but she’s not a regular client. It was great to run into her doing the same thing I do to relax. I tell people all the time that massage isn’t for everybody, and I think getting a facial is another great way to tune out. Some folks just don’t like the idea of having legs or feet massaged, others don’t have a whole hour to spare. For Dr. MacIntosh, it seemed that what was working for her was being able to get her hair done AND her facial at the same spot. She said that the first time she did it she just had a little spare time while a friend was having her hair cut. Now she’s making a habit of it, and I’m so happy for her!
I remember my first facial. I could not believe how many different ways my face could be massaged. I couldn’t believe how relaxing it was to “just” have a facial! Now, to be clear, a great facial is GREAT, and a mediocre facial just feels like someone applying various lotions and creams to your face. I’ve had both, but luckily more of the former. While I love doing massage and find it a supremely relaxing way to disconnect, unwind and optimize, I know that it doesn’t have universal appeal. I always encourage people to find what works for them, and I know that it may not be massage at all. It might be getting a pedicure, going to the chiropractor, running, cleaning house, going for a long walk with your dog, or a night of dancing at a loud club. It doesn’t really matter, just as long as you make a habit of shaking off the stress that inevitably creeps in to modern life.
What is your favorite stress remover? Do you plan ahead to keep the tension at bay, or do you wait ’till you’re in pain to start chipping away at anxiety? If you’re a caretaker, how do you take care of yourself?
