centre:mk study reveals self-care economy booms as women seek more 'me time'

According to a recent study commissioned by centre:mk, one of the UK’s top 10 shopping centres, 57 per cent of women now think it's important to take time out for self-care. The poll of 2000* British female adults revealed this desire for the feel good factor has led to almost half of women trying DIY beauty treatments at home. 

During a typical week, women spend 76 minutes on ‘me time’, including going for walks, practising yoga and even retail therapy. Other self-care activities include meditation (17 per cent), listening to music (55 per cent) and enjoying face masks (38 per cent). Following time out and beauty treatments, 47 per cent of women polled feel relaxed, while 24 per cent are revitalised, proving just how important self-care really is. 

Other treatments women would get regularly as part of their self-care regime include eyebrow threading, pedicures and waxing. Such appointments give 39 per cent a confidence boost, whilst 27 per cent book them in order to feel pampered, 12 per cent to de-stress and over a third of women look forward to a beauty appointment to treat themselves. While 44 per cent of women said they get excited for regular self-care treatments, 29 per cent have appreciated them more in recent months. 

However, these DIY beauty hacks at home have not been all smooth sailing with more than a third of women experiencing a beauty nightmare including wonky haircuts and eyebrows, streaky fake tan and allergic reactions. As a result, 33 per cent ended up having to see a professional to get their mishap fixed. 

Kim Priest, Head of Marketing at centre:mk, said: “It is clear from the research that women are eager to take time out for self-care in order to boost their mental and physical wellbeing. Beauty is a quick fix for making women feel good, however the research has also revealed that walking, yoga, exercise, meditation, retail therapy and good sleep are amongst many other self-care activities undertaken to boost well-being. The demand for self-care will only intensify.”

Suzy Reading, chartered psychologist and author of The Self-Care Revolution, added: “Self-care is health care and without our health, what do we have? Like a car needs petrol to go, we need energy to navigate our day. Self-care is a life-giving action that tops up our energy bank boosting our resilience and giving us access to our best self.

“While self-care is not limited to pampering acts, beauty rituals have their place. There are simple rituals and products that we can engage in at home without great expense, and there are also practices that we leave to professionals in order to achieve the desired effect. Nourishing the physical body with touch, like tenderly massaging in products with a scent we love, is a mindfulness practice, calming the mind, soothing the nervous system, lifting the mood and stimulating the release of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone. We can dot our day with these rituals and feel better for it.” 

Over 120 stores have now re-opened at centre:mk, including self-care favourites; Boots, John Lewis and Lush.  

ENDS