Plans & Vibes Archive - Self care ideas
Think about self care as looking after yourself both physically AND mentally.
Physical
Looking after ourselves physically can be one of the first things we push aside when life gets really busy. The thing is, if we look after ourselves physically, it actually makes everything else easier! This is a gentle reminder to look after what your Mumma gave you!
Examples could be:
Exercise - maybe some yoga, or something more intense? What works for you? A nice walk along the river always makes me feel great.
Massages - treat yo’self!
Salon appointments - i don’t spend much on my hair, but i do like to get my nails done every 2-3 weeks or so (they grow so freaking fast)
Getting out of the house to spend time with friends - especially for those busy Mummas out there. Make sure you allow yourself some time out of the house.
Bath - a nice warm bath is my go-to at the end of a crazy day or if i am feeling overwhelmed or stressed
Skin care/ face mask/ facial - why is it that a face mask
Infrared Sauna - these are amazingly invigorating. Not like a traditional steam sauna, it is a dryer heat. It is excellent for inflammation and is very relaxing. I particularly enjoy this during winter as i really struggle with the dark and cold weather.
Mental
What constitutes self-care for you could be different to what it means to me - think about what energizes you. You you feel energized after a social night out with people? Or exhausted? What about spending time at home with a face mask and a good netflix doco? I am certainly the latter myself.
Meditation - the benefits of meditation is widely published in literature. There are many apps out there that provide guided meditation for even the busiest of people. Headspace is a great free app - but my personal favourite is a paid app called Calm.
Essential Oils - I personally find a lot of relaxation benefits from essential oils. Clary sage when i am stressed, peppermint oil when i have a headache or period pain as well as a range of different blends that i diffuse in the house to set the vibe for the day.
Therapy - I am a strong believer that everyone would benefit from seeing a therapist every now and then. Just talking through different situations and thoughts with a third party is so beneficial. You don’t have to have been diagnosed with a mental illness to see a therapist and talk through your life and relationships. In Australia you can generally get up to 10 sessions per year covered (or at least partially covered) by medicare! Speak to your GP about who they would recommend.
Journalling - this is something that i have picked up this year to explore my thoughts and feelings with myself a little more. So far i have found it so refreshing to put pen to paper and be so honest with myself reflecting on the day. It has even helped me sleep better!
So what do you say? Let’s make 2020 the year of self-care!
What do you do for yourself in the name of self-care?
H xx