Fresh sheets top women’s ‘little luxuries’
CLIMBING into a bed with fresh sheets tops a list of “little luxuries” for women feeling the pressures of modern life, a survey has found.
Hard on its heels is ditching the cooking for a takeaway and indulging in some delicious perfume.
The study of 2,000 women aged 35 and over found nearly half are so busy juggling life they rarely find the time to treat themselves.
A quarter of those polled felt stressed multiple times a day, and more than a third felt the pressures of modern life resulted in anxiety more than once a week.
Sometimes something as simple as a good cup of tea (25 per cent) or lighting a scented candle can do the job of puncturing stress.
Taking a bra off at the end of the day, the smell of freshly washed laundry and a back rub also featured on the top 20 list of simple but effective rewards women are enjoying.
One third agreed they are most deserving of a little treat at the end of a hard day at work, with one in 10 feeling the need to spoil themselves after a tiff with their partner.
Wonders
A fifth admitted to indulging themselves with “little luxuries” less than once a month and, on average, those polled reckoned they got just over 10 hours a week to themselves.
Nearly half said they feel relaxed after treating themselves, with a fifth feeling de-stressed or a sense of calm.
And six in 10 are more likely to indulge in little luxuries than extravagant purchases to reward their efforts.
With a fifth simply too tired after the hustle and bustle of a busy day to reward themselves, it’s no wonder two thirds wished they had more “luxury” in their demanding life.
An equal number said they rather spoil their loved ones.
More than one in 10 enjoy clothes with a fragrant smell and in further attempts to alleviate the weight of worry, 43 per cent simply took a walk outside. Others hit the gym or read a book.
But just a fifth actually took the time to talk to someone about their troubles.
Eighty-six per cent agreed pleasant smells make all the difference when living a little luxury, with lovely scents doing just as much to ease the pressure of modern life.
More than half love the smell of nice scents on skin and clothes, with three in 10 reporting it makes them feel special.
And an equal number agreed it helps improve their mood, with nearly half saying it helps them feel relaxed.
A compliment on our scent can also go a long way, with almost three in four reporting that a positive response to their scent had made them feel special, confident, attractive and appreciated.
Laura Mcilwaine, of Lenor which conducted the survey, added: “Scent has the power to transform your mood so it’s no wonder that it’s a reoccurring theme in UK women’s favourite little luxuries.” would
TOP 20 GREAT PLEASURES IN LIFE 2.
Getting a takeaway instead of cooking
3. 4.
A proper, well-brewed cup of tea
5. 6.
Taking off my bra at the end of the day
7. 8.
A bubble bath at the end of a long day
9. 10.
A new beauty purchase
11. 12.
Sleeping in the bed on my own for a night
13. 14.
Buying some jewellery
15. 16.
Being at home to watch my favourite daytime TV talk shows
17. 18.
Wearing big comfy pants
19. 20.
Scented fabric conditioner