As if careers, family life, eco-anxiety, and other aspects of the day-to-day weren’t stressful enough, the pandemic came along and made things even more challenging for us all.
There has never been a better time to truly boost your self-care efforts.
To help you, we’ve collected five tips for creating a relaxing self-care ritual that keeps you feeling balanced, calm, and able to cope, even during the most difficult times.
Boost Your Bathroom Time
We all need to spend at least a little bit of time in the bathroom, so why not make it more enjoyable? Try using an aromatherapy oil diffuser, giving yourself a foot or hand massage, or even taking five minutes to meditate while you wait for serums and creams to dry. By making the most of the self care routine you already have, you can maximize your time and make otherwise mundane tasks feel luxurious and enjoyable.
Only Use Self-Care Methods That Suit You
There is no point in meditating or putting on a face mask if you don’t like those activities. Self-care should never be self-torture! Here are some types of self-care you may wish to try out:
- Making a healthy smoothie
- Giving yourself a head, foot, or hand massage
- Exfoliating
- Having a hot bath
- Putting on a face or hair mask
- Painting your nails
- Meditating
- Spending some time in nature
- Reading
- Practising mindfulness
- Exercising
- Stretching
All, some, or none of these may suit you. For some people, it’s easy to find the fun in self-care. For others, the search takes a little longer. Once you have a list of activities you genuinely enjoy, you can combine them to make a self-care ritual that leaves you feeling nourished and at peace.
Make Time
A recent scientific study showed that having too little time can lead to us being unsatisfied with our lives. Interestingly, it also showed that too much time doesn’t translate into us feeling happier unless that time is used well.
Whether it’s ten minutes before work or an entire Saturday afternoon, if you can get some time to spend on yourself, make it count by following through with your self-care plans.
Learn to Say No
The ability to say no is one of the most effective skills you can learn. Not only will it give you more time to spend on your self-care ritual, but it will also help you lead a life that you truly love.
How many times have you said yes to extra work, parties, and other things you don’t really want to spend your time doing? Learning to say no is a great step towards better self-care and a more fulfilling life.
Start Tuning into the Self-Care Mindset
It is important to recognise that good self-care is actually a preventative against things like burnout. If you’re not yet onboard with this mindset, it makes sense to adjust the kinds of media you are consuming. From Yoga With Adrienne to the Happy Place podcast and the Blissful Mind blog, there are multiple ways to get your brain tuned into the self-care mindset for a better attitude towards yourself and your life.
“Breathe. Let go. Remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” – Oprah Winfrey
Creating a fantastic self-care ritual using the tips above will leave you feeling more balanced, calm, and able to cope with the daily stresses of life. Soon enough, you’ll be so relaxed you’ll be able to glide through your professional and personal life with a renewed sense of inner-zen!
