We are all less forgiving of ourselves than others. We spend way too much time beating ourselves us and this keeps us from moving forward. So skip the beating yourself up phase. Embracing this concept alone will change your life. It will reduce stress and help you make progress.
Say it out loud and move forward.
I forgive myself for not calling Mom this week. I will have time and call her tomorrow. 
I forgive myself for not cleaning the bathroom today. Life will go on with or without a clean bathroom.
I forgive myself for not blogging yesterday. I will manage and catch up eventually.
I forgive myself for not getting that garden weeded yet. I will make time to do this weekend.
I forgive myself for not making the time and commitment to take care of myself. I will schedule a massage soon.
Here is some interesting research on Massage and Stress. You may think this is a DUH! thing but, it is nice to have the Position Statement and Research to validate what we already know.
Massage Therapy Can Relieve Stress Position Statement
Approved October 2006
It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that massage therapy can be effective for stress relief.
Background Information
Stress is a prevalent component in today’s fast paced world which can negatively impact on an individual’s health and well-being. Massage therapy has been shown to be a means by which stress can be reduced significantly on physical and psychological levels. While massage therapists know from experience that massage reduces stress, there is considerable research that validates our experience. In a study on the effect of trigger point therapy1, there was a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure8, and diastolic blood pressure8. Measures of oxygen consumption, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels were all lower after a 10 to 15 minute chair massage in controlled studies2, 3, 4. Changes in psychological states have been measured by physiological responses1, 3, the Perceived Stress Scale5, the POMS Depression Scale4,6, and the Anxiety State Scale4. In the attached studies, all subjects in the massage group showed significant changes in emotional states and stress levels.
References
Delaney, J.P., Leong, K.S., Watkins, A., & Brodie, D. (2002). The short-term effects of myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37, 364-71.
Boone, T., Tanner, M., & Radosevich, A. (2001). Effects of a 10-minute back rub on cardiovascular responses in healthy subjects. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 29, 47-52.
Cady, S. H., & Jones, G. E. (1997). Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 84, 157-158.
Field, T., Ironson, G., Scafidi, F., Nawrocki, T., Goncalves, A., Burman, I., Pickens, J., Fox, N., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (1996). Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations.
International Journal of Neuroscience, 86, 197-205.
Brennan, M.K. & DeBate, R. (2004).The effect of chair massage on stress perception of hospital bedside nurses. Massage Therapy Journal 43, (1), 76-86.
Field, T., Quintino, O., Henteleff, T., Wells-Keife, L., & Delvecchio-Feinberg, G. (1997). Job stress reduction therapies. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 3, (4), 54-56.
MacDonald, G. (1998). Massage offers respite for primary care givers. The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, Jan/Feb, 43-47.
Cady, S. H. & Jones, G. E. (1997). Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 84(1), 157-158.
Disclaimer: Position statements of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) are approved by the AMTA House of Delegates and reflect the views and opinions of the association, based on current research. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to scope of practice, medical diagnosis or medical advice, nor do they represent an endorsement of any product, company or specific massage therapy technique, modality or approach.
So if you are ready to relax and realize massage is not just a luxury please give me a call at 610-906-2322