Me time: Get a massage

You deserve it!

Self-indulgent? Maybe. What's your point? Me Time is supposed to be self-indulgent. And a massage is so worth it. I realize they aren't cheap. That's why the next time your husband asks you what you want for your birthday, anniversary or Christmas you need to ask him to give you one as a gift. By that I do not mean to have your husband actually perform the massage. I mean you should ask him to buy you a gift certificate for service from a certified massage therapist.

When you think of massage, a back or neck rub may be the first thing to come to mind. But you have other massage options -- the scalp, the feet and the hands (followed by your hands being dipped in paraffin wax to moisturize them). Or you can go all out and have the full-body massage, which I highly recommend if you have the means. The massage can be anything from a gentle kneading to an intense application of pressure to high-stress areas.

Those of you out there who have had a professional massage know what I'm talking about. It's those who haven't whom I'm trying to convince. What amazes me is that I'd have to convince them at all.

First, you needn't be ashamed of your body. Even though you may not be happy with how you look, it matters zilch to the massage therapist. Learn to accept your body -- its height and shape and weight. Leave your negative body image at home and relish the experience of gentle hands touching your body and draining the tension right out of you.

Also, it turns out some women can't let go of the role of nurturer long enough to be on the receiving end. I listened to my second grade son recite the following during a special Mother's Day presentation by his class:

Pamper yourself

"O is for others, for whom mothers live. They think not of getting but only of give."

Really? I thought. While a sweet sentiment, it can't be psychologically healthy to believe this is true.

Therefore, let me be the one to tell you this. There is nothing wrong with you being pampered. There is nothing wrong with you relaxing for an hour. There is nothing wrong with you feeling good. As moms, there's an expectation that we will meet everyone else's needs with no thought for our own. Why do we buy into this?

Well, we're not going to anymore. Get on the phone and make yourself an appointment for a massage today.