đĒˇ Self Care as a Must đĒˇ
Self care is a huge part of my life as of the past few years, having worked an incredibly stressful job and having had health scares because of it. Now I work in the wellness industry and have made it a way of life. Switching careers has taken a full person's weight of stress off my shoulders and helped me to understand that taking that moment for yourself to just exist, indulge, and relax is worth the time and the energy.
My #1 Referral: Epsom Salt Baths
If I could recommend** this over a megaphone, I absolutely would. Epsom salt in hot water helps to decrease muscle soreness and joint pain. This is a 3x a week deal for me. The longer you stay in, the more effect it has. I like to bring my tablet or phone in with me and set up Netflix on a bathtub shelf so that I don't get bored. This also frees my hands so that they can be in the water as well. I work with my hands so I need them as relaxed and pain free.
Personally recommended:
- Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt- I like the Sleep Soak variety, but use whatever scent strikes your fancy
- (Optional) Bath bombs or bubble bath (kind of a waste to use them together)
- (Optional) Bath confetti, for that little sprinkle of luxury
Scented Candles
Scented candles are a great way to let a little bit of stress fall off your shoulders. My favorites are Bath & Body Works 3-wick candles, followed closely by Ulta's 3-wick candles. I light one every day in the morning or evening (sometimes both) for a few hours; I get about a week out of each one. I prefer the fruity scents, so my list may not be your list.
My favorites:
- Iced Dragonfruit Tea
- Peach Bellini
- Pink Apple Punch
- Cactus Blossom
- Champagne Toast
- Sweet Tea and Lemonade
Drinking Tea In the Morning
Taking a moment to drink tea before doing my makeup, checking my email, and all together leaving the house sets me up for a better day than without. The peace of mind from taking a small moment to enjoy something like tea (hot or cold, doesn't matter) and just look out a window at trees, butterflies, the sky, or even a nice background on your computer, gives you that moment to breathe before having to get up and *do whatever*.
My ideal day is getting up in the morning, making a cup of Earl Grey, and opening the blinds of my room to watch it rain. (It rarely rains where I am, hence *ideal*).
Journaling or Planning
Bullet journaling has given me a sense of control over things that normally overwhelmed me or went into the procrastination corner. That little feeling of having some control has boosted my confidence and helped me to be more organized with tasks, events, daily things, and even keeping my thoughts in a line. I have another page just for bullet journaling if it sparks your interest.
Treat Yourself
- Scented candles- light a candle while you write/draw/relax. Little things set the mood for peace of mind.
- Soft robes or pajamas- I have a few satin robes from Victoria's Secret and they make everything just a little bit better. I have a skin/nerve issue that flares up every once in a while and satin is soothing. Some days I'll just wear this all day if I have nowhere to go.
- Lotions & skincare- kind of self-explanatory. Everyone's skin type is different and will respond and react differently than the next, so I don't recommend anything specific. Find a moisturizer that your face likes and use it daily/nightly. Find a lotion that lasts longer than an hour and use it after you shower/bathe.
Take a Break From Your Norm
Diverging from the daily and/or nightly routine can also give a feeling of relief. I am trying to watch a movie or a show at least 10 times per month to break up monotony in what I do. I don't feel bored at all, but this keeps things fresh for me while giving me things to talk about with my clients. We refer movies and shows to each other regularly now, so this has been a win/win.
It doesn't have to be movies. If you're an artist, take time to stand up and stretch everything; your neck, your back (forward and to the sides), your full arms and hands, your full legs, your ankles and feet. Maybe start looking for a book saga to get into. The point is that your brain needs a vacation as well. A lot of our stress these days is mental rather than physical; let your mind have a night off from "tasks" and take a breather in whatever isn't what you have been doing every night this week.
Going to Bed Early
This one is huge, and I am still practicing getting to bed at a reasonable hour on my days off. Getting adequate sleep for your body (and all of our bodies are very different- you might need 4-5 hours, while I need about 9) is a reset and helps with homeostasis (everything functioning as it should without additional fatigue or strain).
Recommendations
- Making your bed in the morning- getting into bed at the end of the day is a little more relaxing than jumping into a twisted pile of blankets and sheets
- Clean sheets- wash/change your sheets at least once a month; twice a month is ideal, but some of us are single with larger beds to switch sides to
- Cool pajamas (or warm, if it's icy where you are)- something that feels nice to touch with your hands so that your mind registers it as comforting and luxurious
- Switch to soft lighting- for those of us that sleep with some light in the room, try to switch to a calmer light source. I have a set of star string lights that I got from Ikea 10 years ago (and they still work!) that slowly alternate through colors. There's enough light to see where I'm stepping (there's a cat and her toys to worry about), but not enough to reset me to awake-mode the wya a bathroom light will
Taking care of yourself matters too â¨. Make yourself a priority. You're worth it.