Self-care is all about nurturing your body and mind, helping you relax and reduce stress. It is a way to remind you to take care of yourself, not just other people in your life. In a lifestyle that is so focused around herbal remedies and products, it can be easy to forget or neglect your own needs.
Self-care comes in many forms. It might be as simple as taking a warm bath with aromatherapy oils or lighting scented candles. You might enjoy yoga or meditation, take a walk outside, or enjoy your favorite beverage. You might take the time to read a book, listen to music, or watch your favorite movie. It can be anything that is relaxing and makes you feel like you are taking time for yourself.
Here are some examples of self-care activities you can easily incorporate into your daily life:
Spend More Time in Nature
Like most people, you don’t spend much time outdoors unless you have to. But the more time you spend in nature and make this a joyful, mindful experience, the more self-care you will give yourself regularly.
Being in nature provides you with multiple benefits. You get off the computer, away from the TV, and out of your regular environment. Going outside allows you to get some fresh air. You might be surprised how refreshed you feel after spending just 30 minutes sitting under a tree.
Nature is also very soothing for your body and mind. The more you spend in nature, the more your body will crave it on a daily basis. As soon as you get outside, your muscles relax, your breathing slows down, and stress begins to melt away from your shoulders.
Buy Flowers and Plants for Your Home
Bring nature inside! It is not always possible to spend large amounts of time outside, but you can bring some of the earth’s beauty into your home and office.
Enjoying flowers is a great way to give yourself a mood boost when you need it most. Flowers and plants release oxygen, create a pleasant aroma, and add color to your environment. You can bring in a potted plant or two from outside and place them on the windowsill where they will get plenty of sunlight. Then pour yourself some lemon balm tea and take a few minutes to enjoy it as you look at your lovely flowers.
Enjoy Some Scents and Fragrances
Another great way to give yourself self-care is by enjoying some aromatherapy, which can easily be done from the comfort of your own home. There are many oils that have been used for stress relief for centuries, and they are still used today.
You can create your own aromatherapy oils by adding some to a carrier oil like olive oil, aloe vera gel, or any other base substance. Then apply it where you need it most on your body, such as the back of your neck or on the bottom of your feet.
You can also enjoy a nice aromatherapy candle to bring a little aromatherapy fun into your life. Try lighting a few candles of different scents and see which you like the most. It might be rose, lavender, or vanilla. Explore different scented candles from your favorite candle company or from unique small shops that offer them. You can also try making one at home if you want to get really creative.
Unplug and Relax Without Technology
Take some time each day to relax without using any technology. It doesn’t have to be for a long time but just put away your phone, close your computer, and turn off your TV.
If you enjoy reading, this is a great opportunity to pull out your favorite book. It could be one that you have been longing to read or perhaps one of the books you already finished reading. If you are an avid reader, it is almost certain that you have a stack of books waiting to be read. It can’t hurt to add another book to the pile.
Your self-care doesn’t necessarily have to consist of activities that are luxurious or “extra.” Sometimes taking some time for yourself means doing something very simple that still provides you with a lot of benefit. You can give yourself permission to enjoy your favorite hobbies, whether it is scrapbooking, fishing, playing with the dog, or anything else that brings you joy.
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