Self-care. In recent years, this term has gained a lot of popularity and attention. So, what exactly is it? Well, self-care actually means something different for every unique person. When you think of self-care an image of a girl in a bubble bath with a facemask may come to mind. At least, this is what I tend to picture. And yes, this is an example of self-care; but only one example. Self-care comes in such a wide variety of activities and the best part is that self-care routines can be personalized to meet your interests and needs!
With that being said, I am very excited to introduce our chapter’s Self-Care Series! This is the first piece in our on-going series, where our writers will be revealing their own personal self-care routines to you! It is our goal that throughout this series you’ll see how taking care of yourself looks different for everyone. So, let’s dive right into my personal self-care routine!
Skin
Taking our outer shells, our skin, for granted is something that can be easy to do. At least, I know that I can at points. I believe that it’s crucial to show love to our skin in order to feel confident, relaxed, and healthy. Skincare truly is a great option because it is a two for one, with relaxation and time to think while having skin pampered.
In my routine, I first start off with a cleanser to gently remove any excess makeup, oils, dirt, etc. My second step is using an exfoliant that will scrub away dead skin cells and brighten up the face. After doing this, I will wear a facemask for about 20 minutes or as directed. I usually like to take a nice bath with a product of my choice while I have my facemask on. To follow up, I will start to hydrate my skin with a moisturizer and oils if my face is particularly dry that day. Lastly, I will put on sunscreen to protect my face from harsh UV rays that can cause premature wrinkles and even skin cancer.
Recommended Product: LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics: Let the Good Times Roll
This is a vegan and cruelty-free facial cleanser that smells absolutely amazing!
Body
Caring for our bodies is key to a healthy and happy lifestyle. A major part of caring for our bodies is what we consume. Simply put, eating good feels good. In addition to eating healthy, exercise has an astronomical amount of benefits. Trying some physical activity and eating more fruits and veggies is a great way for me to feel confident and stay energized.
To take care of my body, I like to eat some of my favorite healthy foods. I love dried mango slices and apricots as well as almonds and hummus. Trying out new, healthy foods is a great idea, but I never force myself to eat the foods that I know I don’t like. There are plenty of healthy and delicious options out there, eating should be fun – not boring. For exercise, I like to get in a quick workout that I can do at home. I find that this gets the job done and is great for any schedule. There are plenty of workout videos that are specific to whatever area you want to workout and easily accessible on platforms like YouTube.
Recommended Product: Sabra Taco Inspired Hummus with Pico de Gallo
Hummus is a yummy and healthy snack to enjoy eating and feel good about.
Mind
Unfortunately, mind/mental health is often forgotten about when discussing self-care. Mental health is extremely important and creating a positive and optimistic outlook regardless of circumstances can be difficult at points. Taking some time off, relaxing, away from the chaotic and busy world that we live in can help us to calm down and stay grounded. Doing the things that we are passionate about is a really great way to care for the mind as well.
When it comes to caring for my mental health, the activities I do usually depends on the week I’ve had. If it’s been a very busy week and I’m tired, I like to relax by watching movies and TV shows, taking a bath, and catching up on sleep. If I’ve had a pretty normal week, I enjoy doing my favorite hobbies that make me happy. I love to bake and paint as well as hang out with friends and play with my dog. These are all things that I’m either passionate about or that I love doing. My biggest passion is writing, and I really recommend writing in a journal. Personally, this has come to help me a lot and creates thoughtful reflection on life’s recent events. Taking words and putting them down onto paper can actually be extremely beneficial and useful.
Recommended Product: Eccolo Self Care Journal
This journal is very cute and helpful, with self-care tips written throughout and a place to record mood and energy levels.
Environment
Organizing makes a big difference by changing a familiar environment. Making things neater can alleviate stress because there won’t be laundry piling up or a paper that seemed to disappear. A clean environment makes me feel more put-together and helps me become more productive.
I tend to organize, clean, and rearrange when I am bored most but I find that I always feel better afterward. To clean, I start with doing laundry, picking up any clothes that are on the floor, or getting rid of any old papers. Once my room looks clean, the organizing begins. This includes saying goodbye to clothes I know I will never wear, organizing my drawers, and putting little things like pens, papers, and perfumes where I know they belong or would look best. Sometimes, instead of organizing my items back to the way they were before, I will rearrange things when I get bored with how my room looks. Moving around pictures, pillows, and more can help transform an old room into a new one!
Recommended Product: Any Storage Cart
Storage carts are a great way to organize jewelry, perfumes, makeup, and more without taking up too much room.
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