When did looking after ourselves become a luxury?

2 Jul

Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling like your whole body is trapped inside a really tight sausage casing?

That’s honestly the only way I can describe it.

Everything felt tight. My shoulders, my jaw, even the top of my head. It was as though my whole body was screaming for somebody to release the tension.

That Monday morning I looked at my partner and said,

“I need a massage today.”

It was non-negotiable, because I knew that I’d been ignoring my body’s signs for a bit of self-care and if I didn’t get a massage today my body might turn in on itself!

Massage is one of my favourite ways to help my body relax and I’ve been having them for over 30 years. I qualified as a beauty therapist when I left school so I’ve not only received but have also given a good few in my time. I also know that for me, a really good massage isn’t just about how hard someone presses. It’s about the whole experience.

How you’re welcomed. How comfortable the room feels. Whether the therapist is able to listen, observe and respond to what your body needs. Whether you leave feeling like you’ve genuinely been looked after.

So, after that first massage, I had an idea.

I thought, “Do you know what? I’m going to make a thing of this.”

Instead of just booking my usual massage, I decided that over the next four weeks I was going to try four completely different massage treatments, and see what Glasgow had to offer.

All four places I'd found through social media. I love supporting small businesses, so this felt like the perfect excuse to finally book treatments I'd been thinking about for ages.

Nina Thai Wellness Studio – Couples Massage

My partner had never had a massage before and despite me suggesting it for years, he’d always said no. So when he showed some interest that he’d maybe like one too, I jumped at the opportunity.

I’d seen this studio recommended by The Olive Tree Family on TikTok, and they had a couples appointment available that afternoon.

The salon was lovely. We arrived, had our feet washed before the treatment, and were taken through to the massage room. The room was inviting and the bed was comfortable and warm.

One thing I noticed was just how stressed my partner was. He'd spent most of the morning dealing with work on his phone, but the moment he knew he had to put it away, you could literally see his shoulders drop.

The massage was wonderful and to be honest I could probably have benefitted from double the time, because my body had been so tight that I felt it was just starting to ease off, then it was over.

I’m not so sure I would rush back to having a couples massage, only because I was wondering whether or not he was enjoying it, which took the focus off me trying to switch off my thoughts and relax. But, if you are wanting to connect and spend time with your partner then it’s an ideal activity to do together.

It was also the perfect introduction for him, as believe it or not many people are nervous about getting a massage.

Serendipity - Thai Deep Tissue (by Jariya)

I’d been following Jayira on TikTok while she was sharing her experience of starting up her new treatment room in Glasgow. I liked her vibe, so she was for sure on my list.

After getting completely lost in The Chambers building opposite Central Station (entirely my own fault!), I finally found it.

Straight away it felt calm.

The room was very welcoming, soft jazz playing quietly in the background, which I actually loved because it was a wee bit different and very relaxing. Jariya did check with me if I was ok with the music, so if Jazz isn’t your thing don’t panic.

During my consultation I explained that I carry most of my tension in my upper body, my neck and my jaw, so she tailored the whole treatment around exactly that.

It was perfect, she had a great touch and understood my brief, even working extensively on my hands and arms before getting stuck into my shoulders and neck.

I left thinking, “That was phenomenal.”

As a lovely surprise, I also left with a little goodie bag because I happened to be one of her first clients and also the little cup of ginger and honey tea was delicious.

I will definitely be visiting again, next time I’d like to try one of their Gua Sha facials.

Aga & Ola - Balinese Cocoon (by Tetiana)

Again, this was another place I’d discovered through social media.

The treatment that caught my eye was the Balinese Cocoon Massage because I’d never experienced anything like it before.

When I arrived, the reception was lovely, although the waiting room was much busier than I’d expected. It actually reminded me a little of sitting in a doctor’s waiting room.

Tetiana came through to collect me and immediately made me feel relaxed.

The treatment room was warm, welcoming and the bed was heated.

What really stood out to me during this massage was the feeling of almost continuous touch. Apart from leaving briefly to get water to cleanse my feet and clean her hands before working on my face, there was always a feeling of connection throughout the treatment.

It’s normal practice to only have the area exposed that’s being worked on, but the difference with this was that the other areas were wrapped tightly (where the cocoon comes in). Also, the separate heated foot pad was a very welcome surprise as I do tend to get cold feet.

Towards the end I was wrapped so snugly in the cocoon blanket that I suddenly thought,

“I feel like I’ve been swaddled as a baby.”

There was something incredibly comforting about that. Snug as a bug in a rug!

Before I left, Tetiana suggested I come back for a TMJ consultation because of the amount of tension I carry in my jaw, neck and shoulders. It’s definitely something I’m considering.

I would go back and I would recommend it. It’s a big business over 3 floors offering a variety of treatments including physio.

Soul Sisters - CBD Oil (by Kirsty)

This was probably the treatment I’d been looking forward to the most.

I’d been following Soul Sisters since they first opened on socials. They are more about the holistic approach, and weave in Reiki and chakra realignment to many of their treatments. This is right up my street as I’m a real believer in energy. Every time I went to book previously, the availability didn’t match mine. So when I finally managed to get booked in with Kirsty, I was genuinely excited and it didn’t disappoint.

As soon as you walk in the door, there is an air of calm and it smells amazing.

Before I’d even climbed onto the massage bed, I was sitting with my feet in a beautiful gold bowl of warm water, holding a clear quartz crystal and setting an intention for the treatment.

Even that simple ritual encouraged me to slow down.

The room was warm, inviting and I loved the crystal layout on the bed. Even though it was a very warm day, I asked for the blanket to be turned up a bit because I like to be cosy.

The treatment itself used CBD oil and lasted around seventy minutes.

It was bliss.

Afterwards, Kirsty and I chatted about where I hold tension and how my throat chakra felt quite blocked, so she had worked more on this area.

What struck me was that I’d had a huge breakthrough with Wee Nudge earlier that day, so to be here having this treatment with Kirsty felt like exactly where I was supposed to be that day.

I left with some beautiful CBD oil and incense sticks, and when I lit one at home the following evening, the smell instantly took me back to that feeling of relaxation. I love that. Isn’t it amazing how scent can transport us straight back to a moment?

I will be visiting again and would recommend wholeheartedly.

I set out to compare four massages, but what I actually ended up comparing was four completely different ways of being cared for. Every therapist brought something different and every treatment left me feeling slightly different.

If you asked which one was my favourite, I would say I left every treatment feeling relaxed and that’s the main objective.

But honestly, they were all wonderful for different reasons.

One thing I've learnt over the years is that a good massage doesn't always have to be painful. Sometimes we think that if someone isn't digging their elbow into every knot, it can't possibly be working. For me, that's not true. In fact, if my body feels under attack, it simply tenses up even more. The best therapists seem to know how to work with my body rather than against it.

Also, do not be frightened to speak up during a massage.

If the pressure is too much, say so. If you’d like them to go a little deeper or softer, just ask. You’re not offending your therapist. You’re helping them give you the best treatment possible.

And if your mind starts wandering? That’s normal too. You don’t have to empty your mind. Just notice the thoughts. Let them drift past. Then gently bring yourself back to the warmth of the room, your breathing, and the feeling of someone taking care of you for an hour.

Maybe this isn’t really about massage.

Writing this has made me realise that massage was never really the point.

The point was that I’d stopped listening to my body. I’d become completely absorbed in building my website and growing Wee Nudge. When I get focused on something, I really focus. The gym stops, walks become less frequent, my normal routines disappear. Before I know it, my body is screaming for attention.

Sound familiar?

Self-care looks different for all of us. For you it might be massage. For someone else it might be Pilates, a walk with the dog, getting your hair done, reading a book or meeting a friend for coffee.

The activity itself isn’t that important. It’s about what nourishes you and recharges your battery.

What’s important is that we’re paying attention before our body has to shout.

I still find it fascinating that many of us won’t think twice about spending money on coffee, meals out, wine or another Amazon delivery. But mention spending £65 on a massage and suddenly it feels extravagant.

Why?

Maybe we’ve somehow convinced ourselves that maintenance of our mind and body is a luxury. I don’t think it is. I think it’s an investment into the only body you’ll ever have.

Not because everyone needs a massage.

But because we all need something that helps us pause, reconnect and listen before our body has to start shouting.

Also, going back to my partner only relaxing once he knew that he couldn’t be on his phone, is a real life problem that many of us face. When everything is available to us in an instant, and we have become instantly available, maybe it's never been more important to intentionally schedule time where nothing and nobody can interrupt us.

Knowing that I had a massage booked in gave me something to look forward to and that time was for me. So just getting something scheduled in your diary is a must going forward. Even if it's just for 30 minutes.

Maybe that's the real lesson. Don't wait until your body is screaming before you start listening. Whether that's booking a massage, going for a walk, reading a book, meeting a friend or simply giving yourself an hour to breathe...

your body is talking to you every single day.

The question is…. are you listening?

If any of these sound like the kind of experience you're looking for, I've included their details below. As always, these are simply my personal experiences, and I hope, if you do visit them, you enjoy them as much as I did.