Most of the time I feel a bit guilty when I take care of myself (and call it pampering). But massages actually accomplish several worthwhile things besides pure indulgence. For one you get total downtime (your only obligation is to show up, lie on the table, enjoy and think sweet thoughts), you also reconnect with your body, get to enjoy the pleasures of caring human touch, and last but not least knots and tension dissolve under the massage therapist's knowledgeable hands. Author and physician Christiane Northrup writes "Touch is a basic human need, so meet it shamelessly." Did you know that gentle touch actually releases the pleasure hormone oxytocin and melts away stress?

It's easy to make excuses, especially the money kind. Consider swapping a massage for something you do well through an hour-exchange. No money spent. What better way to spend 30 or 60 minutes?