3 Simple Ways to Practice Self-Care
Between the stresses of work, your family responsibilities, and your social activities, life can be a little overwhelming and exhausting at times. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for people to get buried under these day-to-day obligations, leaving no time to take care of themselves. Even if you regularly hit the gym and eat a balanced diet, when was the last time you did something to improve your mental wellbeing?
Self-care is an important practice that doesn’t have to be difficult. Below, we’ve rounded up a few simple, inexpensive ways to practice self-care.
1. Make time for at-home pampering
Finding time for yourself is one of the most quoted reasons for neglecting self-care. But you can make a few small changes to your routine to help improve your emotional wellbeing without having to make a large production out of it. Find an hour of time at least once a week to give yourself a little TLC. Here are a few ideas:
Take a luxurious bath. Grab your favorite book or listen to a podcast and run yourself a hot bath with bath salts or bubbles (or both!). While it’s filling, bring in candles, a few sprig of herbs or flowers, a glass of wine, or a mug of herbal tea. Dip in and let the steaming water melt away tension.
Give yourself a mani-pedi. If you don’t have the time or budget to schedule a trip to the salon, you can still take care of your fingers and toes. At home, soak your hands and feet, buff your nails, and finish up with a rich, nourishing cream. Top your nails off with nail polish in a fun, new color.
Take your time for skincare. For many of us, remembering to use a makeup removing wipe before bed is an accomplishment. But there is something indulgent and satisfying in following an in-depth skincare routine at night—not to mention how healthy your skin will look and feel. Start by treating yourself to some new, medical-grade skincare products and then devote at least half an hour to your skin. It may even be the perfect time to try out the famous Korean multi-step skincare routine.
2. Add a few small, feel-good touches to your space
One of the easiest and most effective self-care tips is to create a home or office that feels inviting and calming—and it can be done easily and affordably by integrating small items into your existing decor.
Stop and smell the roses at home with an essential oil diffuser (unless you have a kitty)
Oil diffusers are definitely having a cultural moment, with many extolling the calming virtues of essential oils like lavender or chamomile. While these diffusers lace your space with subtle, pleasant aromas and help introduce moisture to the air, you have to implement them in your environment in a smart way if you want them to work for you. That’s because the impact a smell has on your emotions and productivity is tied directly to your brain’s association with that smell.
With that in mind, you needn’t limit yourself to the basics. For instance, if you have great memories camping or hiking with your family, try earthy aromas like cedarwood, balsom, and frankincense. Or, if your happy place is at the beach, opt for fresh, tropical smells like wildflowers and citrus.
Note: this option is off the table if you have a cat since most essential oils are toxic to felines and can be absorbed through the skin. Instead, opt for fragrant wax melts that don’t utilize oils.
Get a little indoor greenery
Indoor plants are a great way to add a little life to your decor and help air quality. But did you know that certain varieties are scientifically proven to help boost your mood and lower stress and anxiety? Additionally, the act of growing and caring for something is both rewarding and therapeutic—a thriving plant is a visual representation of success that is sure to make you feel good in your space.
Even if you don’t have a naturally green thumb, there are a number of plant species that thrive with little attention—snake plants look great year round and can go two weeks without water. Assess your space for natural light and find varieties that will work well in your home or office using this handy guide. If you have a furry friend, make sure to choose pet-friendly plants or place them where they are unreachable (a macrame plant hanger is a cute way to keep critters away while adding to your decor).
Use colors to your advantage
Like scents, the power of different colors most often lies in what you associate that color with. A bold red may stress out a friend but bring you joy because of its association with your old school colors or your grandmother’s famous cherry pie. But while your reaction to individual colors is unique to you, there are a few general guidelines you can follow when introducing more color to your space to make it somewhere you want to spend time.
Generally, greens and blues can have a calming impact as well as helping inspire creativity. Warm colors, like reds and oranges, are inviting and draw your attention. Try keeping your main walls neutral and introduce pops of color to accentuate certain spaces. Pieces of colorful wall art, accent paint, and bright knick knacks can add personality in a heartbeat.
3. Get close and personal with nature
It’s easy to get stuck in a routine of home, work, gym, store, home again—meaning we’re spending most of our days in the same environments, typically indoors. Research has shown that something as simple as taking an hour-long walk in a natural environment can reduce stress and improve cognitive function.
A few times a week, make sure to spend some time outside. Whether it’s taking an hour after dinner to walk around the neighborhood or strolling through a nearby park on your lunch break, you’ll likely notice an immediate improvement in your mood and anxiety levels. If you’re in Richmond, try checking out Bryan Park or the gardens at Maymont for an easily accessible “getaway”.
We hope these tips help you find new ways to give yourself some much-needed attention.