We all want to feel more relaxed, but it can be hard to know how to do that when our lives are so busy.
Between work, school, family, friends and the other things that make up your life, it can be difficult to find time to just relax.
That’s where self-care comes in! Self-care is anything you can do on your own that helps you feel better or reduces stress.
It is a way of taking care of yourself and putting your mental health first. If you’re looking for some ideas on how best to practice self-care at home, read on…
Take a Bath with Epsom Salt and Essential Oils
Taking a bath with epsom salt and essential oils is a great way to relax your muscles, as well as your mind.
Epsom salt can help relieve soreness in your muscles after exercise or long periods of sitting or standing.
The magnesium sulfate in epsom salt is absorbed through the skin and into your bloodstream, where it’s used to reduce inflammation and ease muscle pain.
Epsom salts also contain a small amount of sulfur, which helps break down toxins in the body.
This process improves circulation and detoxifies the cells—a win-win situation for improving overall health.
Essential oils are another easy way to add relaxation to this activity: just add two or three drops into warm water before you get in the tub or shower (or both).
We recommend choosing scents like lavender, vanilla bean, chamomile flower extract, rosemary extract and other essential oils for their ability to calm nerves without being too overwhelming—but feel free to experiment with blends that work best for you!
Light Some Candles and Put on a Face Mask
Light some candles, grab a face mask and get ready to relax. Candles are known for their aroma therapy benefits, but they can also help you feel more relaxed.
The scent of a candle can have a calming effect on the mind and body and help you sleep better at night.
You don’t need to light up a dozen different scented candles—one or two will do the trick!
Face masks are another great way to relax yourself when life gets overwhelming or stressful.
Depending on the mask you choose, face masks work by moisturizing (or detoxing) your skin, which makes it healthier overall.
Some masks can help with decreasing the appearance of wrinkles, but you can find a face mask for every skin type, and every skin concern.
My personal favorite type of face masks, are hydrogel masks, and they don’t tend to slip off the face as much as say paper masks.
Enjoy a Cup of Tea and Read a Book
There are few things more enjoyable than sitting down with a cup of tea and reading a good book.
But it’s not just the act of enjoying tea and reading that makes this activity so relaxing—it’s also about the way in which you consume your tea.
You can use loose leaf teas, or buy them in herbal form at any grocery store. You can also use bags if you prefer it that way (I personally don’t).
Drinking tea is an easy way to relax because it helps lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones like cortisol.
Which will help you feel more relaxed and calm down after work hours have ended. Tea has long been used by Buddhists as part of their meditation practice, because they believe it helps them become more mindful while they drink it.
Tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that makes us feel calmer when consumed; some studies show that drinking green tea before bedtime increases melatonin levels in our bodies by up to 40%.
This means we’re more likely to fall asleep faster than usual when drinking this relaxing beverage before bedtime.
Pamper Yourself With A DIY Manicure or Pedicure
If you’re looking for a way to relax that’s also productive, why not give yourself a manicure or pedicure?
This is a great way to take some time for yourself while also giving your nails some much-needed TLC.
You don’t need to go to a salon to get a great mani/pedi—you can do it at home with just a few simple tools.
Start by removing any old polish from your nails with acetone-free nail polish remover.
Once your nails are clean and free of polish, it’s time to start the pampering process! Begin by soaking your hands (or feet) in warm water for five minutes to soften the cuticles.
After the soak, use a cuticle pusher to gently push back the cuticles on each nail. Next, use a nail file to shape your nails—either square or round, it’s up to you!
Once your nails are shaped, it’s time to start the polishing process. Begin by applying a base coat to each nail, followed by two coats of your favorite color polish.
Finish with a top coat to seal in the color and add shine. And that’s it—you now have a beautiful set of nails that you can show off to the world!
Try Using A Therapeutic Weighted Blanket
If you’re looking for a way to get into your zen zone, try using a therapeutic weighted blanket.
Weighted blankets can be helpful in helping people with anxiety or who suffer from insomnia.
When the weight of the blanket is covering you, it helps calm the nervous system and lowers heart rate and blood pressure.
The pressure of being wrapped up like a burrito also triggers serotonin production, which makes you feel relaxed and content.
If a weighted blanket doesn’t appeal to you, another option is coloring! Coloring has been shown to reduce stress levels by reducing cortisol (the hormone responsible for stress) in our bodies.
If that sounds too intense, maybe just color some pictures for fun? Either way—coloring will make you feel better about yourself!
Self Care FAQs
What Is Self Love And Self Care?
The main difference between self-love and self-care is that self-love is more of an internal process, while self-care is more external.
Self-love is about accepting yourself for who you are, while self-care is about taking care of your physical and mental health.
How Do I Show Myself Some Love?
There are many ways to show yourself some love! One way is to accept yourself for who you are, even if you have flaws.
Another way is to take care of your physical and mental health by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
You can also show yourself love by doing things that make you happy, such as spending time with friends and family, pursuing hobbies, or traveling to new places.
Finally, you can also show yourself love by being kind to yourself, such as speaking kindly to yourself and forgiving yourself for making mistakes.
What To Put In A Self Care Package?
There are many things you can put in a self-care package, depending on whether the package is for you to enjoy, or a friend as a gift. Some ideas include:
- A scented candle
- Bath bombs or soothing bubble bath
- A comfy robe or a pair of pajamas
- A cozy blanket
- A book or magazine you’ve been wanting to read
- Your favorite snacks and drinks
- A list of things you’re grateful for
- A handwritten letter from yourself to yourself filled with positive affirmations
Whatever you choose to include, make sure it is something that will bring you joy and help you relax.
Alternatively, if it is for your friend, you could include products you enjoy yourself, as recommendations to help them unwind and relax.
Self Care Jar Ideas
If you’re looking for some DIY self care jar ideas, here are a few suggestions:
- A jar filled with your favorite candy
- A jar filled with healthy snacks
- A jar filled with things that make you happy (photos, quotes, etc.)
- A jar filled with affirmations and positive statements
- A jar filled with ideas for things to do when you need a break (take a walk, call a friend, etc.)
How To Make A Self Care Mason Jar?
Here are some instructions on how to make a self-care mason jar:
1. Start by decorating the outside of the jar. You can use paint, markers, stickers, or anything else you’d like.
2. Once the jar is decorated, fill it with things that will help you relax and de-stress. This could include items such as scented candles, bath bombs, cozy blankets, etc.
3. When the jar is full, seal it with a lid and put it in a place where you can easily reach it when you need it.
4. Whenever you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a break and do something from your self-care jar!
How To Make A Self Care Routine?
There is no one “right” way to make a self care routine. However, there are a few key elements that should be included in any self care routine.
First, you should identify the activities that make you feel relaxed and happy.
These activities will be different for everyone, but some examples include reading, writing, spending time in nature, taking a bath, listening to music, or practicing yoga.
Once you’ve identified your self care activities, you should make time for them every day or week.
It’s also important to be flexible with your routine and allow yourself to change it as needed.
Finally, don’t forget to show yourself some compassion and love!
Self Care Checklist
Everyone’s definition of self-care is different. For some, it might mean taking a relaxing bath at the end of a long day.
Others might find that going for a run or reading a good book helps them to unwind.
The important thing is to find activities that make you feel happy and relaxed, and to make time for them on a regular basis.
To help get you started, here is a checklist of self-care ideas that you can try:
- Take some time for yourself each day, even if it’s just 10 minutes. Make sure to do something that you enjoy and that makes you feel good.
- Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. This will help your body to function at its best.
- Exercise regularly. This can be anything from going for a walk to hitting the gym. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
- Spend time with loved ones and close friends. Human connection is important for our mental health.
- Do something fun and creative on a regular basis. This can be anything from painting to playing an instrument.
- Make sure to get enough sleep every night. Most people need around 8 hours of sleep per night.
Final Thoughts
Self-care is very important to keep yourself feeling positive and healthy.
It can help you relax, feel confident and healthy, and make you feel better about yourself.
When you take the time for self-care, it’s like a reset button for your mind and body.
Self-care activities do not have to be expensive or difficult; just by doing something that makes you happy will help your mental health.
Taking care of yourself can be a difficult task. In our busy world, it’s easy to forget or neglect the most important person in the equation: you.
I hope this guide has served as a reminder that everyone deserves some TLC–and now you have no excuse not to give it a go!
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Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!