With the fast pace of our current world and people experiencing stress, anxiety, burnout and chronic illness, the importance of self care is a popular topic of discussion these days. Self care is a necessary practice for everyone as it allows us to tend to our physical and mental needs and be present with ourselves. Although important, self care is something that people may put off because it can be seen as overwhelming and difficult to incorporate into an already busy schedule. It's only when people experience burnout that they tend to tap into self care mode. 

Whether you're just stepping into the world of self care or you're a seasoned pro in the self care game we have some simple tips and ideas to help you start a routine or take your self care routine to the next level! The goal of these tips is to help you unwind, tend to your needs and just be present with yourself.

Have A Relaxing and Luxurious Bath

A warm bath is a great way to create an atmosphere for relaxation and to unwind. This is the time to give your body the tlc it needs to close the tabs in your mind and recharge. It has also been proven that warm showers or baths help with sleep by supporting the body’s production of melatonin.

Elevate your time for relaxation with your favourite self care products, relaxing aromatherapy and calm dreamy lighting. Grab your favourite body wash, bath salts, candles, essentials oils, and perhaps a bath bomb for an extra splash of luxury. Bath salts and essential oils are known to decrease stress and anxiety as well as soothe sore muscles. LadyFlow’s Goddess Bath Soak is the perfect addition to your line up for your luxurious self care bath. The exotic mixture of magnesium bath flakes infused with floral, citrus & mint oils will surely relax your body and put you in a state of tranquility and ease! 

To really take this time of relaxation to the next level, once you are done with your bath you can massage the areas of your body where there is muscle tension with LadyFlows Soothe Body Oil.

Although LadyFlow’s Soothe Body Oil was made with the intention to help ease the muscle tension and pain from menstrual ache and cramps it is formulated to soothe the stresses and strains of everyday living. Once you get out of the bath, massage a small amount of the Soothe Body Oil to the areas of need. 

Create a Relaxing Atmosphere

The key to feeling truly relaxed is to create an atmosphere that allows you to become fully immersed in your emotions and take you to ultimate levels of relaxation. 

First, start by tidying up your space. Put those dishes that have been staring at you from the sink into the dishwasher and fold up your throw blankets! I know what you’re thinking - relaxing starts with work?? But it’s essential to create a non-chaotic environment that allows your mind and body to release tension. 

Next, dim the lights and soothe your mind with relaxing scents of aromatherapy. Turning off your overhead lights and switching on your lamp will help to make your space feel more inviting and peaceful, while aromatherapy will completely change your mood. Aromatherapy has so many proven benefits such as:

• Managing pain
• Improving sleep quality
• Reducing stress, agitation, and anxiety
• Soothing sore joints
• Treat headaches and migraines
• Boosting immunity

Some of the best scents for aromatherapy include palo santo and sage, which hold many benefits of their own and assist in creating a relaxing atmosphere! Pair your self-care night with a Santo scented Candle Refill Kit from Everly and take your relaxation to the next level. Santo combines the refreshing, woodsy scent of palo santo with earthy aromas of sage to bring you the perfect scent for days spent taking care of your mind and body. 

Spend Time Cooking a Nice Meal

Cooking can be one of the best ways to feel grounded and relieve stress. By getting your hands dirty while cooking, you’re actively engaging all of your senses - from taste to touch. Turn off your devices, turn on some soothing music, and really immerse yourself in the food you’re making. 

Cooking is also a great way to destress, especially if you’re trying out an old family recipe. This can stir up some emotions as your food envelops you in the scent of your grandma's favourite casserole dish. If you don’t have a family recipe to recreate - get creative!

Try making something new and see what comes of it! Or, make your inner child happy and recreate your favourite comfort meal - mac and cheese anybody??

Tend to Your Emotional Needs

Self-care is not all face masks and wine nights with the girls - it’s really important that you look after your emotional well-being too! Journaling can be the best way to get in tune with your emotions and to give you space from any negative thoughts you may be feeling. Journaling about gratitude will also allow you to step into a healthy and positive mind space as you are reminded about all the things you are grateful for.

 Not sure where to get started? Here are our favourite journal prompts to get you started on your self-reflection journey. 

Meditation or yoga is another great way to ground yourself and clear your mind. Practicing meditation has so many benefits like increasing self-awareness, reducing negative emotions, and focusing on the present. To become even more immersed in the meditative spirit, consider lighting some candles for aromatherapy while you practice deep breathing and grounding techniques.

Treat Yourself To A Warm Soothing Beverage

A warm beverage is a simple remedy to help calm your mind. Decaffeinated tea is a perfect drink to add to an evening self care regimen. To really make this a relaxing time for you, make the preparation of your tea a mini ritual of mindfulness. Grab your favourite mug, boil your water, steep your tea and slowly take in the herbal aromas, the steam against your lips and warm soothing feeling of tranquility in a cup. Some great herbal teas to sip on are lavender, chamomile,  peppermint and lemon balm.

Do Something That Brings You Joy

One important thing in any self care routine or regime is that you set aside time for things that bring you joy and put you in a peaceful state. If you are not intentionally setting time for joy this defeats the purpose of practicing any self care regimen. Close your eyes for a moment and think about a time you did something that made you feel good. Maybe you enjoy painting, reading, cooking, watching an episode of your favourite netflix series or even catching up with friends. Whatever it may be, intentionally schedule some time for joy. Even if it's just 30 minutes of your day, make it an effort to do one that you truly enjoy on a regular basis!

Important Takeaway!!

Self care shouldn’t be overwhelming or overlooked. It can be simple and should be prioritized! Not just when burnout comes knocking at your door! Remember, the point of self care is to tend to your needs and be present with yourself. Whether you choose to incorporate all six ideas mentioned or just one idea into your self care routine, any self care regimen or routine should be important to you and benefit you mentally, physically and emotionally.

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