Ditch the excuses and embrace the experience

From “It’s too expensive” to “I don’t deserve it,” there are a million reasons why pampering is the last priority on our to-do list. But put aside the excuses and embrace the experience. Why? Some much-needed “me time” brings the following benefits:

• Improves your health — and beauty. Whether at the spa or at home, taking time for a facial, massage or manicure is an important part of an overall wellness regimen. These treatments maintain and improve the health and condition of your body.

• Reduces stress. Pampering can bring benefits that go beyond beauty. Elizabeth Scott, M.S., of About, explains, “The relaxation you get from [pampering] can trigger the relaxation response, which can prevent chronic stress from damaging your health.” So sidestep the effects of stress and improve your overall sense of wellness with some self-improving beauty treatments.

• Supports self-esteem and happiness. Setting aside time to treat yourself is hard for many women — especially those who are caregivers at heart. But remember that feeling good about yourself and your appearance is an important part of happiness and supports feelings of well-being and high self-esteem.

• Improves your relationships. When life gets busy, it’s hard to find time to nurture friendships and relationships. A day at the spa or at-home pampering is a healthy way to spend quality time with those you love.

So stop making excuses and pencil in some pampering! Whether it’s a Saturday morning or a weekday over lunch, find a time in your schedule to squeeze in a treatment or two.

Save money at the spa

It’s a common misconception that the spa is an exclusive retreat for the rich. These days, there’s an experience for everyone and every budget.

Here are tips for saving money at the spa:

• Splurge on one treatment a month. Whatever your income, set aside a certain dollar amount each payday for some pampering. Whether it’s $10 for new polish or $30 for a manicure, including this expense in your budget makes it easier to incorporate rejuvenating treatments into your routine.

• Visit a beauty school. Check out the local cosmetology school for discounted costs on a variety of beauty treatments. Aesthetically inspired students will pamper you under an instructor’s watchful eye — at a fraction of the normal treatment price.

• Seek new client discounts. The Wall Street Journal’s Smart Money points out that spas are often on the search for new clients and offer special discounts for first-time guests. Take advantage of these deals.

• Seek introductory rates for new staff. Often, spas and salons offer introductory rates up to half off for new stylists, massage therapists and other professional staff. Watch for these promotions in the newspaper and online or ask when you call to book an appointment.

• Be flexible. During slow days of the week, including Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, many salons and spas feature treatments at a lower cost. Check online or call spas in your area to inquire about off-day discounts.

• Seek savings online. In addition to looking for coupons in the local newspaper, keep an eye on local spa Web sites for weekly or monthly specials. Also, follow your favorite spa or stylist on Facebook or Twitter and watch for deals or specials. Often, these social networking sites post last-minute specials to fill open appointments. Other sites like Groupon are growing in popularity, offering mega-discounts for spa treatments and services.

Treatments to choose from

Now that you’re convinced that a little pampering is a must-have in any beauty routine, it’s important to try a variety of treatments. Here are some great ideas for what to do:

• Facial. A facial is the perfect way to indulge in some “me” time while improving the health and appearance of your skin at the same time. Whether you’re concerned with aging, acne, skin tone or texture, many spas offer specialized facials that address your unique concerns. At the spa, a facial typically includes a skin analysis, steam, massage, mask and advice.

• DIY tip: You don’t have to break the bank for a facial. With a few ingredients and a little time, you can easily create an effective facial at home. To learn how, see A Guide to Facials and Frugal Facials: Money-Saving Tips.

• Fix your feet. Feet often get overlooked when it comes to special pampering, but there’s something particularly satisfying about knowing that inside your socks and shoes, you’re rocking gorgeous, glowing feet. From soothing dry heels to smoothing out rough, cracked skin, there are plenty of ways to pamper your feet at the spa, including special massages, scrubs and soaks.

• DIY tip: If you’re not so keen on showing off your soles at the spa, opt for at-home treatments that provide the same results. Read Happy, Healthy Feet: Pamper Your Soles At Home for a three-step guide to rejuvenating feet or Fixing Dry, Flaky Feet to improve dryness.

• Body scrub. Don’t limit spa treatments to your face. A full-body scrub brings the same beauty benefits. At the spa, you can expect a full-body scrub (sometimes called a salt scrub) to include exfoliation, a shower or rinse and an application of body oil or lotion.

• DIY tip: Slip into the bath and apply your own body scrub. Molton Brown Warming Eucalyptus And Ginger Body Scrub boasts eucalyptus oil, root ginger and exfoliating sea salts to stimulate the skin, boost circulation and refresh your spirit.

• Apply a mask. While a mask is a step that’s usually included in a facial treatment, you can also apply a mask by itself for some skin-improving pampering. Try L'Occitane Immortelle Face Cream Mask. Enriched with vitamins A and E and rice peptides, this ultra-rich treatment delivers intense moisture for thirsty skin.

• DIY tip: Sidestep a pricey mask product by making your own. See How to Create Your Own Face Mask for several easy, effective recipes.

• Faux glow. A sunless glow is a great pick-me-up. A growing number of salons offer spray tanning treatments that deliver an authentic tan — without the harmful side effects of the sun.

• DIY tip: You can experience a gorgeous faux glow in the comfort of home with a number of great products, including the Luminess Air New Beauty Edition - Tan. See Your Guide to a Natural-Looking Sunless Tan to sidestep the most common at-home tanning mistakes.

• Waxing. Whether it’s a quick upper lip wax or longer leg wax, professional hair removal is a time-saving treatment that can improve the look and feel of your skin. Many day spas and salons offer single treatments or waxing packages.

• DIY tip: Now you can achieve an effortless wax at home. For hair removal from head to toe, reach for Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit. And don’t forget to read At-Home Waxing: An Inexpensive Alternative to avoid amateur mistakes.

• Manicure. Healthy, polished nails are an easy way to improve your appearance and feel more put together. Whether you like to keep it simple with a solid color or prefer to rock a look that’s bright and exotic, there’s a manicure for every personality.

• DIY tip: With a little practice you can have flawless nails without a trip to the salon. Perfect the procedure with A Step-by-Step Guide to Stunning Nails.

• Pedicure. Pedicures aren’t just for summertime. This beautifying process is a great way to keep your toenails healthy and radiant all year round.

• DIY tip: Pamper your toes at any time of year. Create a stunning pedicure by reading A Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Pedicure.

• Bath. A restorative bath is a timeless way to nurture yourself. Turn on some soothing music, light a candle and run some steaming hot water. Add your favorite bath salts and slip into the bath for a relaxing soak.

• DIY tip: New to the bath time experience? For tips on how to create a calming and restorative ritual, see Transform Your Bath Experience With These 7 Tips.

• Massage. Massage is a timeless treatment that reduces stress, soothes muscles and stimulates circulation. From a 30-minute sport to a one-hour Swedish, there’s a style of massage that suits every lifestyle. Check with your local spa to learn more about the many types of massage treatments available.

• DIY tip: Pick up a how-to manual on at-home massage and a bottle of Kerstin Florian Organic Aromatherapy Lavender Bath and Body Oil, then recruit your spouse or significant other to learn the art of this ancient technique.

• Hair. Say goodbye to the same old hairstyle. Spice up your look with some new color, highlights or even a style or blowout. Not only is this a great way to experience a new look, but it also provides the opportunity to pick up some new styling tips from your hair stylist.

• DIY tip: There’s no reason you can’t color your hair in the comfort of home. Ensure successful results by reading A DIY Guide to Dyeing Your Hair before you begin.

Bottom line: Make pampering a priority

From an intimate bath to a spa pedicure, there are countless types of pampering treatments that can improve how you look and feel. Not only do these experiences enhance overall wellness, but they can be fun! This month, challenge yourself to set aside a bit of time to try a new treatment.

See also:

Sidestep Stale Skin Care: How to Reconsider Your Routine (January)

Update Your Skin Care Arsenal (February)

Dermatologist 101: How a Visit Can Transform Your Routine (March)

Celebrate Skin Cancer Awareness Month With Skin-Saving Screening (May)

Reinvent Your Summer Skin Care Routine (June)

Evaluate Your Skin Care Journey So Far (July)