Pay it Forward. A Final Good Deed for 2017
Posted: December 27th, 2017
Paying It Forward: The Therapeutic Value of Touch
Aesop, the man behind the ancient children's fables was by all accounts a wise man, He once wrote: "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." How true that is. In a world where we witness violence every day, a simple smile or opening the door for someone you don't know, may mean more than you ever know. You can literally make someone's day with one simple gesture and in the process may restore their belief in the inherent goodness of mankind.
Another way of paying it forward for someone you do know is to give them a health and wellness gift, such as a spa treatment. Men and women alike can experience stress in their everyday life and a trip to the spa may often be just what he or she needs to relax and rejuvenate. If you know someone who suffers from depression, this is especially true. Having a health and wellness massage, getting a manicure or pedicure, or a facial can make someone feel better about their life by helping them feel pampered and appreciated.
The therapeutic value of touch cannot be overstated. After all, touch is the first language we learn. Recent studies confirm the fact that the benefits of a spa treatment - whether one is suffering from depression or not - comes largely from its ability to reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone manufactured by the body. Spa treatments are well worth the cost and time involved, and are a great way to show kindness and appreciation. Paying it forward works in reverse, too. For, as another famous wise man once noted: "It is indeed more blessed to give than to receive."