This year has definitely been doozy for all of us. After each week, it just feels like more and more is piling on and like many of you, honey, I’m tieeeedd! But we are slowly, but surely getting through it. To continue to make it through, I’ve found it even more important to take the time to really take self-care seriously.
For the record, YES, self-care is a selfish thing, it’s SUPPOSED to be! But I don’t mean that in a negative sense. We need to remember to put our health and wellness ahead of things that don’t matter as much and take the time to reflect and heal. We’re born with one body, so be mindful and take care of it.
I, for one, am unapologetically selfish AF and I make SURE to find time for self-care, especially during stressful periods in life. It’s super important that you take a day or at least a few hours in a day at least once a week to just be at peace and fully relax.
So here are some ideas of what YOU can do in your self-care regimen…
- Take a walk. If you hate running like me, this is a perfect way to get in some exercise while also taking in some Vitamin D and having a moment to reflect or listening to a favorite podcast. I try to do this in the morning right before the sun comes up, that way you get some quiet time outside before the hustle and bustle of the morning rush.
- Do some yoga. One of my favorite exercises that doesn’t feel like exercise — although my husband disagrees. But for real, it’s slow, mellow, and you get to stretch and finally BREATHE and relax. All of those tense muscles you’ve neglected will thank you after.
- Try a hair mask. If you’re a natural curly girl like me, your hair has been through it! It’s time you give it some loving and butter it up with a conditioning mask. If you have extra time, go the extra mile and use a heating cap to really penetrate that scalp with all of those luscious ingredients in those pricey products you haven’t used in weeks. *Bonus if you mix some natural oils to your hair like olive oil, almond oil, or Jamaican black castor oil.
- Take a bath. This is an immediate way to not only get all fancy and feel like you just walked out of a spa, but your entire body will thank you and feel immediately relaxed and replenished. I know some people that have a bathtub but ONLY use their shower, chile you are missing out! Let that body soak honey! Add some Epson salt to relax your muscles, I really like the one by Dr. Teal’s with lavender. Get you a bathtub tray and set out some chamomile tea, your favorite body wash, an exfoliating scrub, as well as a good book. After about 20 minutes you’ll feel like a whole new person! *Extra points if you use a hydrating face mask!
- Cook your favorite meal. Something about making your own dinner is so nourishing and calming to me. I find so much joy in making my own meal, knowing what ingredients taste amazing together, and getting creative with it. Often, we don’t want to go through the hassle of planning meals and buying groceries. My advice on that is to plan ahead, but if you are SUPER busy, which I totally understand, there are hella food services that can deliver groceries for you so you won’t have to worry about the trip at all. What’s most important here is that you have fun and relax while doing this. The moment it becomes stressful is when that all goes out of the window. So go find a lovely dish on Pinterest, plan a few days in advance, and treat yo self boo! You deserve it.