Our top 5 self care tips ...
Taking care of yourself is always important, but in these days of global pandemics, riots, working remotely, and homeschooling, it is imperative. Besides booking yourself a month-long spa retreat in some exotic location, there are countless ways to practice self care that are simple and relatively inexpensive and you can do while safe at home. Here are some of my favorites:
Take a long bath (duh!)
There is nothing more relaxing than chilling out in a tub. Choose your favorite bath salts (hint, hint) and soak away your troubles. And don’t forget the soap — might as well get clean while you’re there!
Have a cup of hot tea
Hot tea always seems to relax my mind, especially if I drink it right before bed. My current favorite is Vianne's Moonlight Snooze — the blend of jasmine, valerian root and passion flower helps me unwind after a particularly stressful day.
Exercise
Science shows that when you move your body, your muscles release chemicals into your bloodstream that improve your mood, reduce anxiety and depression and make your brain more resilient to stress. I might not always like to get started, but once I finish exercising, I’m NEVER in a bad mood!
Add magnesium
Your body excretes it when you're under stress so it’s important to find ways to replace it. Magnesium is also known to calm your body and while there are plenty of fresh vegetables that are high in magnesium (think spinach, Swiss chard, almonds and cashews), there are other ways to supplement your diet. Besides being in pill form, there are also magnesium teas and body sprays that are absorbed into your skin.
Sink into a good book
Reading has been a lifelong passion and I practice the ritual almost daily. There’s nothing better than escaping the real world and becoming immersed in a storyline. I love historical fiction — I can always find solace in a story set in Paris during the Belle Epoque or in 1920s New York. Right now I’m reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek but you can always follow me on GoodReads to see what’s on my reading list.
What are your favorite ways to practice self care? Leave us a comment below or follow us on Instagram or Facebook and let us know!