Self-Care Rituals
How to Truly Treat Yo’self Right
“Solitude is where I place my chaos to rest and awaken my inner peace."– Nikki Rowe
Work, kids, spouse, sleep. Get up, workout, attend little league games, participate in PTA nights, homework help…the list goes on and on when it comes to places you’re needed on a daily basis. But where do you come in?
Realizing you’re spreading yourself too thin is step one.
Step two is treating yourself to moments of indulgence every once in awhile.
Step three is remembering that self-care isn’t a one-time deal: It’s a constant repetition of tiny habits that keep your body—and mind—running smoothly.
Yup, we said it. Self-care, treating yo’self, or taking care of your body, soul, and spirit doesn’t haven’t to be a days-long event at a spa (but man, that would be nice, wouldn’t it?). You don’t need to deprive your family, friends, or spouse of the person they love in order to take care of yourself. In fact, it’s healthier when you don’t! Try incorporating these seven short and sweet habits into your daily life to become more fully you and more fully present for all of those life events.
- Unplug for one hour. Turn your phone on airplane mode, turn your computer off, and just do something for you with no distractions. Read! Take a cat nap! Paint your nails! Whatever it is, just be sure it’s something you want to do for yourself. Is one hour too long for you? Start with just 10 minutes and work your way up.
- Inhale an upbeat smell. We suggest the heavenly scent of our Glendora candle. The mix of peony, wood sage, and sea salt blended together in an uplifting scent designed to pull in the positivity, bring on the calm, and kick bad vibes to the curb. Nothing says treat yo’self like a candle burning in a dark room and good glass of wine.
- Run, walk, or skip for 10 minutes a day. If you don’t have time for a 10-minute break from life, walk for just 5 minutes twice a day. Or take the stairs to your office instead of the elevator. Walking, running, skipping—whatever you choose to do—releases endorphins that make you feel good. Try it!
- Laugh—heartily. Can’t remember the last time you really laughed? De-stress and let out that suppressed guffaw with our whimsical box of Affirmator Cards. Comedian Suzi Barrett created humorous (actually funny, not cheesy, we promise) and positive affirmation cards to help you help yourself.
- Talk to yourself like you’re talking to your best friend. Ever beat yourself up internally? Don’t be so hard on yourself and start dishing yourself advice as if you were gossiping with your best friend. You’ll be so much nicer without much effort. Changing your mindset in this simple way will really help your spirits.
- Ask for help. There’s a task on your to-do list that you can’t do alone. Instead of pushing it further down the list without accomplishing it, just call up a friend or coworker and get it done. Humans aren’t meant to be islands—teamwork makes us feel good. Plus, getting and giving helps spread good karma, so the next time your coworker might need a hand, she’ll remember your good vibes first.
- Activate your internal self-soothing devices. Find someone you’re close with a give them a good long hug. Is your spouse or significant other away on a work trip? Instead, try moisturizing with a soothing scent. We suggest the Everything and Nothing Hand Cream. This silky, deep-hydrating shea butter cream is scented with almond oil, sweet orange, pressed petals, and tea leaves for an optimistic burst of florals and citrus—perfect for a minute to yourself.