No matter how busy life may get, setting aside some time to take care of yourself is a must. Self-care can be criminally underrated in a world that glorifies the “rise and grind” mindset, so be sure to create your own self-care day to unwind. If you aren’t sure how to go about it, check out these 10 ideas of what you can do to calm your mind.
First and foremost, an absolute essential to relaxation is running a bubble bath. Light some candles, turn out the lights, and sit back and enjoy the warmth of the water. Bubble baths have the ability to soothe your muscles, improve blood circulation, and help you sleep better at night. You really can’t go wrong by detoxifying and cleansing your mind and body by immersing yourself in this relaxing environment.
In conjunction with your bubble bath, or even if you’d rather just take a warm shower, consider doing a hair mask! Hair masks include intensive ingredients that will leave your hair looking healthy, shiny, and just downright gorgeous. If you’re curious about how to fit a hair mask into your shower routine, the general order should be shampoo first (to open up your cuticles), the hair mask, then conditioner. Hair masks should be saved for special occasions, as you won’t want to use it every single night – so consider saving your hair mask for a self-care day to really feel like the goddess you are.
Next up on the self-care itinerary is exfoliation! Consider using a face mask or scrub to get rid of excess oil and moisten your face. Face masks should be used once or twice a week, so try setting it aside for one of your self-care days. Be sure to cleanse your face before applying a mask, then carry on with the rest of your skincare routine in order to get the most out of it. You can even combine the face mask with your bath and hair mask! Tackling all of these activities at once will ensure that you reach the utmost levels of relaxation.
Okay, so your bath is done, your masks are done… Now what? Set the mood with some soft lighting! It may sound silly to include on its own, but soft lighting really does make a difference when it comes to self-care. Whether you’re in school or you’ve got a full-time job, you’re constantly being exposed to noisy, bright lights throughout the day. To get your mind into relaxation mode, be sure to incorporate soft lightbulbs, fairy lights, and candles throughout the evening. One of my favorite forms of soft lighting is the sunset lamp, which you can snag for a super cheap price on Amazon.
If you don’t already have an oil diffuser, I would highly recommend getting one. Essential oils have numerous benefits depending on the scent you grab. Scents like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and chamomile are great for inducing sleep and relaxation. Aside from oils, putting any pleasant scent into the air is a great way to help you feel calm. Consider lighting some candles around your space to really get into the self-care mindset.
All the anxieties and stressors that build up throughout the day tend to stick in your mind when you get home for the evening. Consider meditating to clear your mind and give yourself a clean slate. Meditation can come in many forms, but even just sitting somewhere comfortable and closing your eyes for a few minutes can help reduce your stress levels. You can find a guided meditation on YouTube or Spotify, or you can even just sit in complete silence to really empty your mind. Be sure to take deep breaths and unclench your muscles when you do this.
Put your thoughts down in one place by journaling at the end of the day. If you need some prompts to guide you through your thought process, consider checking out my journal prompts article, or just search the web for something useful. You could journal about your day, what you’re thankful for, or even some positive affirmations to show yourself some love. Self-care isn’t just about taking care of the body – it’s about taking of the mind, too. Journaling in a comfortable space is a great way to make sure your head is in the right place.
It might be tempting to scroll through Instagram or Twitter after a long day, but consider unplugging from all social media. Self-care is all about focusing on yourself, and social media is the epitome of comparison. Rather than seeing how other people have spent their day, try to be more present in your own life by staying away from these outlets. Fill your time with writing, creativity, and pure relaxation instead. Even if it’s just for a couple hours, you’ll find that staying away from social media is beneficial to your mental health in more ways than one.
Taking care of your body can feel really good, and getting a mani-pedi is no exception to this! Book a mani-pedi for the day and find some nail inspiration on Pinterest. If you’d rather stay inside, even painting your own nails can be really therapeutic. Small things like this add up, and you’ll find that you’re feeling great about yourself after doing something as miniscule as decorating your nails.
Last but not least on the self-care day agenda is putting on some music! Music has this incredible way of allowing us to connect with ourselves. Heal your mind by putting together a relaxing playlist, or find some background noise to vibe out to. You can even find some uplifting tunes to help you let loose after a long week of work and stress. Go old-school and sit back on the couch with a glass of wine, watching some of your favorite music videos. Regardless of how you spin it, playing your favorite artists is a great way to wind down and relax.
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