SIMPLE PLEASURE?A treat doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Because you’re worth it
Giving yourself a treat can help your mental wellbeing
Nurthuring
Maggie Gibbons
January can be a difficult month, starting off on a buoyant positive note full of great expectation and good intentions, yet by mid month the mood is dipping as we realise how broke we are after all the Christmas spending. The best thing about it is the stretch in the evenings. I’ve thought a lot recently about the importance of little treats as small pleasures play a huge role in our overall happiness.
Most of us have no problem treating others, yet we will deprive ourselves, citing excuses like cost and lack of time for the deprivation. What would you consider a lovely treat? Some women love fresh flowers while others wouldn’t dream of spending money on them. Maybe a nice facial? Lunch somewhere special? A glass of wine with your partner or friend? Sitting by a warm fire reading a good book, or just relaxing?
The possibilities are endless. How often have you left a Christmas present unopened, maybe even re-gifted it? Start enjoying those beautiful hand-soaps, light the scented candles, and luxuriate in a nice bath with some gorgeous oils. Forget about things that will take ages to arrange: try something you can do easily. I love shopping, but unfortunately I often suffer with ‘buyers guilt’ when I buy yet another handbag/pair of shoes/black dress just because they were marked down. Not exactly ‘retail therapy’ when it has the opposite effect! Shopping is such an aesthetic experience. If we exercised a bit more delayed gratification and decided to just enjoy the browsing we could be a whole lot happier.
You may be someone who thinks it selfish to treat yourself. Recent studies show that people who look after themselves are happier and are more interested in other people. Surely then it can’t be selfish to give ourselves a little boost of happiness? Having thought about some real indulgences that won’t cost a lot I decided to share them. You might have your own particular favourites, the main thing is enjoy!
Hair and Beauty Parlour, Bridge Street, Westport offers blowdrys every Tuesday and Wednesday for €10. Upstairs, beautician Amelda will do an eye brow tint for €5 and an eye lash tint for €7. Great value!
Breaffy House Hotel, Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, do ‘Monday Madness’ deals where you can avail of 50 percent off all treatments. There’s ‘Terrific Tuesday’ deals too, offering 20 percent off all Elemis facials.
Mount Falcon House Hotel, Ballina, do afternoon tea for two for €28, with all kinds of delicious goodies like smoked salmon, chocolate mousse, lemon tart, scones and freshly brewed tea or coffee. They also do a lighter version for €6 per person with tea or coffee, a scone, freshly baked biscuit and clotted cream. Unbelievable value and sheer luxury. I’ve often spent more in a supermarket café after doing my shopping. Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, provides afternoon tea for two for €22. It’s the most beautiful setting for a proper treat.
If none of these appeal then just enjoy your surroundings, inhale the fresh air and most of all try to live in the moment!
Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted a living@mayonews.ie.
