Pampering for Spiritual, Emotional and Physical Renewal (continued)

Gandy encourages the reader to incorporate pampering into their workday. Gandy asserts that taking frequent breaks at work enhances productivity and effectiveness. Examples of ways to pamper yourself during the workday are to escape to the solitude of an empty meeting room for lunch with a bag lunch and a magazine or book to read, get a manicure or massage over your lunch hour, go to a bookstore and find a quiet nook to read or relax, keep affirmations at your desk so that your subconscious mind can absorb these positive messages throughout the day, keep a personal supply of refreshing herbal teas at your desk to drink instead of coffee or a carbonated beverage.

Gandy urges readers to incorporate pampering into their daily and weekly life schedule. It should be a priority. Gandy suggests that in the early phases of a transition to an integrated self-caring lifestyle, it is helpful to engage in more structured and conscious planning. Time for pampering should be blocked off in your appointment book or organizer. Once you schedule your pampering time, you must stick to it. Your pampering time should be spent doing what brings you joy.
Gandy urges her readers to make a list of what brings them joy. This process should include reflecting upon what you enjoyed doing as a child. As a child Gandy enjoyed rollerskating down the big hill in front of her house, having sleepovers and playing tea party with her sister. Now, as an adult, she has started incorporating these experiences into her life.

Gandy warns her readers to beware of "pampering gremlins". Pampering gremlins are the reasons and excuses for why you have not kept up with pampering yourself regularly. Pampering gremlins can take many forms. Pampering gremlins try to convince you that they are more important than your self-care needs. However, you must remind yourself that loving care of self empowers you to better take care of other people and your responsibilities in life.

Gandy also encourages pampering with a partner. Couples should determine what brings the two of them joy together. Some examples of fun and bonding partner pampering are having an indoor picnic on a blanket on the living room floor, giving each other foot massages, slow dancing in the living room, and going on a mini-getaway at a local bed and breakfast.

Petrina Burnham is a doll artist living, working, and occasionally pampering in San Diego. Visit her Web site: www.trinaskids.com.

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