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I love that self-care is a big deal these days! We are bombarded with so much news, ads, consumption, and stimuli that it’s so important to take a break from the stress and care for yourself!
Even before I knew a word for the practice, I loved spending time on self-care rituals. As far back as middle school, I loved pampering myself with DIY pedicures and face masks and relaxing while reading a book or listening to music. It was my decompression tool when things got stressful (i.e. middle school drama).
As I got older, I learned that a great self-care routine is an important part of me being healthy and happy. So it was no surprise when I took the Myers-Briggs test and found out I was not only an introvert but an INFJ (any other INFJs out there??). Basically, as much as I love dinner parties and get-togethers with friends, I need time alone to recharge. And to be honest – I LOVE my alone time. I can relax more thoroughly and am so much more productive when I want to get things done too!
My self-care routine has also upgraded quite a bit since middle school. Gone are the throwaway pore strips and plastic foam toe separators! Instead, I focus on practices that are natural and eco-friendly and create very little waste. Many of these practices can also be done at home and are completely free!
Homemade Facemask
A classic self-care practice! Don’t waste money on specialty tubes of goo though. You can get everything you need in your kitchen! Mix a small spoonful of yogurt with a little honey and add a tiny squeeze of lemon. The acid in the yogurt and lemon helps to slough off dead skin cells and the fat in yogurt helps moisturize. Honey is antibacterial and also a natural humectant so it helps your skin stay moisturized. Let the mask stay on your skin for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off and pat to dry, voila!
Take a Bath
One of my favorite bath scenes is in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Harry takes a magical bath in the prefects’ bathroom. He fills up a swimming pool sized sunken bathtub with giant bouncing bubbles, icy frosting-like foam and mounds of deliciously perfumed bubbles. It is my ultimate bath fantasy!
Although I can’t ever replicate the magic of that scene- in my experience, there’s really nothing that compares to a long soak in a hot bath. How do you make a bath more eco-friendly? A bath takes quite a bit more water than a shower so I leave baths for special self-care occasions and make sure to savor every minute of it.
Of course, I never just bathe in plain water. I love to add Epsom salts, dead sea salts, and essential oils in my baths. And of course, if I’m feeling especially fancy I will use a bath bomb from Lush. You can buy them package free, they do not contain phthalates, and they have a pretty sustainable business model (although I don’t agree with a couple of the ingredients they use). Add a wonderful book and you’ve got a blissful bath experience!
Massage
There are some things in life worth paying for. One of those things is a professional massage. Another one is a professional Brazilian wax. I love DIY for pretty much everything in my life but sometimes you just need a professional! If you’ve never had a professional massage, go! Massages generate no waste and you are typically supporting a small business in your local community! If the price is unaffordable, there are Groupons or sales that you can take advantage of and I’ve even seen massage packages (ie. buy 5 massages for 20% off) and sliding scales for massage practitioners.
Plant Something
Giving new life to something else always makes me feel better. There is so much tactile satisfaction in digging a new home, tucking a little seed or plant into the soil, and watering. Plus its proven that gardening makes you feel better! Even if you have a brown thumb, nurturing a little something in some soil feels so good. It’s even better when you get flowers, fruit, and veggies from your plants! Start off with windowsill herbs or an easy houseplant (like pothos).
Have Your Hair Done
Not nearly as fancy as it sounds! Basically, I just love it when people play with my hair – it is like deep zen relaxation for me. I love scalp massages, getting my hair cut, or even being the guinea pig on whom my little cousin can practice new hairdos. If there was someone I could hire to just comb my hair (besides my sweet fiance) I would do it in a heartbeat. Pair it with listening to my favorite familiar audiobook (see below) and it’s amazing how relaxing it is!
Enjoy a Beverage
When is a cup of tea not a good idea? I love infusing my self-care routine with a delicious beverage whether it is a steaming cup of chai or some iced tea on a hot day. Just make sure the tea is organic (you don’t want to be drinking pesticide residues) and use your zero-waste tea essentials! Don’t like tea? Coffee is another choice but please, opt for organically and shadegrown coffee and use a french press!
Meditate
Meditation is making the headlines these days. Why? Because it works! Even just a few minutes of meditation can do wonders to clear your head and help you be more relaxed and centered. Can’t “find” the time? I’ll give you a hint. It’s probably hiding in the time you scroll through your Instagram or Facebook feed. Don’t know what to do? Just try sitting for 5 minutes at a time (set your phone timer if you need to) and see what happens. There’s no right or wrong way to meditate.
Savor your Food
We are often so busy rushing through our day that meals are basically for refueling. I know it’s hard to enjoy a meal when you’re on your lunch break or driving in the car. But it’s important to go slow and actually savor your food. Take long slow bites if you need to but really focus on increasing all of your senses around eating. Food is not just fuel – it can be a great experience and feeding your body healthy and enjoyable food goes a long way in your self-care!
Cuddle & Hug
There are so many good chemicals in your brain that flow with physical contact. Remember the preschool song 4 Hugs a Day? Well, science is now recommending even more! Getting at least 8 hugs a day is really the minimum! Hug your significant other, a friend, your mom, or even your dog. Part of my self-care is not only hugs but also morning cuddles with my sweetheart or pup! So go out and hug your loved ones!
Read (or listen to) a book
I’m sure I’m not the only one with a constant stack of books next to my bed! I am typically reading non-fiction books about the environment or food but when I’m in self-care mode I reach for my tried and true favorites. Whenever I need a pick-me-up I read my well-loved Harry Potter books or listen to the smooth tones of Jim Dale’s voice narrating the books. I always have at least one book loaded onto my phone so when I need that moment of comfort I can just dive in.
Audiobooks or podcasts are also great to add to your routine because they are so much more versatile and can be played when you’re driving, waiting in line somewhere, or at home giving yourself a DIY yogurt facial! Check your local library for audiobooks. I have an app called OverDrive where you can add your library account from the hundreds of library systems listed. You can check out and download books straight to your device!
Digital Detox
We have no idea how much we rely on our various devices until we don’t have them. It’s amazing how 15 years ago it wasn’t even an issue and now you can’t even have a conversation with someone without one person checking their phone at least once. We are attached. Our phones are like pacifiers for babies except we aren’t meant to ever grow out of it! While there are some amazing resources out there and so much you can learn from on the internet these days, there is also a lot of crap and a lot of distraction and it impacts us.
These days we see more advertisements, more news, and more people with whom to compare ourselves. There are still so many times when I pick up my phone to look up something and get sucked in and before I know it, 23 minutes have gone by and I’ve been bombarded with all the things! I swear some kind of time warp happens when I pick up my phone! Do yourself a favor and take a digital detox on your next self-care day. Recently I was forced into a detox by having no cell phone service and it was wildly awesome! I actually had full conversations with people, I ate without looking at my phone, and the world didn’t end!
Start with a few hours at first. Turn off all notifications from apps (email, social media, etc.) and turn on the ringer (remember it IS a phone!). If someone needs you, they will call and you won’t miss a thing I promise. Also just a note: you can still be an engaged citizen without getting into the energy, time, and brain drain of following the news. Be mindful of where you give your life energy and how spending time on certain areas of the internet makes you feel. I try to digitally surround myself with motivational and inspirational content, thoughtful commentary on world issues, and dear friends and family I want to keep in touch with.
Coloring and Art
I am more of a type A person but have always enjoyed creating mediocre art! Those new adult coloring books are totally my thing! Plus, they give your hands something to do while you’re listening to all those great audiobooks. I love the garden-themed books and while I wish there were more recycled options, one of these will literally last you years. For a natural alternative to Crayola colored pencils, check out the plantable sprouts colored pencils or this beautiful eco-friendly set!
Get Outside
Take a hike in the woods, on the beach, or even just a walk around your block. Take advantage of the fresh clean air outside (the air inside can get pretty unhealthy) and get your blood pumping with a walk. It’s good for you! It’s also good to get some vitamin D in the form of sunshine. We get don’t get nearly enough here in the Pacific Northwest so getting outside for a feel-good vitamin boost can go a long way in enhancing your self-care.
Use these tips for a day of pampering! You can feel great knowing that they are better for you and better for the environment!
What is your #1 favorite way to relax and de-stress? Did it make the list?