Ah self care. It's something that's been on my mind a lot more lately. It's so essential so that we can show up fully for the things that matter to us. Whether that's your job, taking care of your family, advocating for the planet, or all of the above! We've got to take care of ourselves so we can do it all without burning out.
Self-care takes many forms: Anything that makes you feel alive, reduces stress, supports your well-being, or just sparks a moment of joy. The thing to remember though is that self-care can also be light on the planet and your wallet! There's a burgeoning new niche in the beauty industry that's trying to convince us that we need to buy all these fancy new (& often wasteful) products to feel good and take care of ourselves. But self- care can really be quite simple and nonetheless nourishing for our souls.
If you're looking for some planet friendly tweaks to your self-care routine, consider some of these ideas:
Repurpose Your Blooms. Buy yourself some flowers and repurpose the bouquet once it's reaching the end of its life. I'm a big fan of sprinkling rose petals in the bath or making homemade potpourri.
Make DIY face and body scrub using coffee grounds. Combine a zero-waste kitchen hack with a favorite DIY self-care recipe and we're sold. Coffee naturally contains antioxidants, exfoliates, and fights inflammation and redness so this homemade facial scrub packs a punch. Bonus: Put extra scrub in a nice jar and you have a thoughtful self-care gift idea for a friend.
Facial Massage. The next time your applying moisturizer, take a few extra minutes to turn it into a facial massage. We love applying 3-4 drops of our Everyday Glo Oil and massaging it in upward circles all across the face and neck for about 3 minutes. So simple & effective!
Sleep. It may seem simple, but this should be a top priority of everyone's self-care routine. To help achieve better sleep turn your bedroom into a super restful zen den by focusing on what makes you feel the most relaxed. Make it extra dark, opt for soft textures, bring in lavender scents, calming music or white noise, or create a plant oasis (or all of the above). Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day will also optimize your sleep health.
Cell phone break. At least once a month, take an evening (or better yet a whole day) without your phone. Leave it at home or turn it off and explore what comes up for you without being 100% connected to the outside world. Add this to your monthly self-care routine checklist: We promise it's worth it.
Journal. No need for a fancy book, just get started whenever and however it works for you. Even if you only write 5 words (think: "Today I'm grateful for... X"), journaling is a habit that grows the more you do it - and is said to reduce stress, boost mood, and keep your memory sharp.
Meditation. One of our favorite forms of self-care, the benefits of meditation are endless. If you're intimidated by even the thought of it, we have good news: There are many different types of meditation, some more advanced than others (and any type of meditation is a plus for your mental health). If you're just looking to dip a toe in, you can gain all the benefits of meditation in as little as three minutes a day. Check out our Beginner's Guide To Meditation to get started on your self-care journey.
Move your body. We believe you can't have a good self-care routine without a little movement. Stretch, dance, go for a walk - get the blood pumping and your mind, body, and mood will thank you.
Make spa water. How easy is it to infuse a pitcher of water with your favorite fruits and herbs (Cucumber + mint + lime, watermelon + basil, and grapefruit + rosemary are a few of our faves, but the possibilities are endless). Your daily water-drinking routine just got a little fancy plus it's a great way to use up extra fruits & herbs.
Plant Something. There are just about a gazillion benefits to having plants around, including improved well-being and mental health. We love plants so much, we infused our packaging with wildflower seeds so you can watch your skincare packaging transform into beautiful flowers. Read more about plantable packaging here.
So, if you're thinking, "what should I do for a self care day?" start here. We spy some extra joy on the horizon.