When we hear the term “self-care”, we imagine ourselves heading out for a pampering massage, facial, or mani-pedi session. Due to the Circuit Breaker, however, we have to put those treatments on hold. For some of us, even after we’ve crossed the two-month mark.
We may miss these little indulgences, but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring them into the comfort of our own homes. Here, we’ll show you how you care for yourself in more ways than one.
Why self-care matters
No matter how fancy the term sounds, self-care is crucial for our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. The stress and exhaustion that come from overworking can deplete you gradually, making you less productive and more irritable.
With our anxieties about the present and future, acts of self-care are a good way to maintain a healthy relationship with ourselves. So, set aside some time during the day, and follow some of our tips.
Give yourself a spa-like facial
Take your time to go through your skincare routine
Unless you have somewhere to be, don’t rush through your skincare routine like Jessica Alba did in British Vogue’s video. Instead, take your time to remove your makeup and/or sunscreen with micellar water, makeup wipes, or a cleansing balm.
Then, give your face a nice, slow massage when you move on to your cleanser. Think of yourself as a facial therapist here and use gentle motions on your skin. For different skincare routines that you can do, you can visit Pierre Michel Beauty.
Do a DIY facial steam before applying the rest of your products
After you’ve cleansed your skin, you can opt to give yourself a DIY facial steam. This doesn’t just feel great, it also increases blood circulation in your face. This trick opens up your pores to allow the rest of your products to absorb better too.
All of you have to do is boil some water on the stove or in a microwave—whichever is more convenient for you. After it’s been heated, pour the water into a glass or ceramic bowl. Then, add dried herbs or essential oils to your bowl of hot water. A popular essential oil is lavender, which is known to soothe tension.
Hold your face over the steaming water and drape a towel over your head. With your eyes closed, keep your face over the bowl for about ten minutes. Breathe deeply and let the steam relax you.
Try a gua sha facial massage
A gua sha facial massage uses a curved flat tool to lift the skin in upward motions, relaxing muscles and draining fluid buildup in the process. Just like a regular body massage, gua sha can relieve your facial muscles and put you in a calmer state. Over time, it can also smooth out fine lines and increase collagen production—who wouldn’t want those benefits?
If you want to give yourself a gua sha facial massage after you’ve done your skincare routine, we got you. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it. All you need is a facial oil, a gua sha tool, and some patience. Try Herbivore Botanicals’ Gua Sha Rose Quartz or Mount Lai’s Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool to start.
Wind down after work
Create a relaxing ambience with scents
When you’re ready to retire for the night, having a relaxing scent at home can soothe your nerves and ease you into a calm state. Go ahead and light a candle, put on the diffuser, or spritz a room fragrance.
Bespoke Parisian perfume label Maison 21G has just launched its new range of home scents—the perfect time to pick one up for your pad. There are four different types of scents to choose from: lavender and tonka, neroli and rose, sage and tea, or ginger and mint.
Apart from providing the benefits of aromatherapy, the four scents also contain active ingredients to banish germs and odour at home. These scented mists are 100% eco-friendly and they’re also suitable for children and those with allergies. You can find them on Maison 21G’s webstore.
Invest in a silk pillowcase
Getting a good night’s sleep is important, and your pillowcase matters too. Laying your head on a silk pillowcase is the perfect way to end your day. The soft, cool, and luxurious feel of silk against your skin can make you feel like royalty.
Let’s not forget its beauty benefits. Silk keeps moisture close to your skin so you won’t look and feel like a dried prune in the morning. This way, you won’t be wasting any skincare product you put on your skin before bed too.
A silk pillowcase reduces hair damage too, so you’ll wake up with healthier-looking hair instead of a bedhead. Try Slip’s Silk Pillowcase, one of the best silk pillowcases on the market.
Prepare your breakfast the night before
They call it the most important meal of the day for a reason. A hearty breakfast can give you a burst of energy to power you through the day and keep you sane.
If you look forward to breakfast every day but lack time in the mornings to prepare it, you can always fix one up the night before. We’ve gathered 15 breakfast recipes that are easy to assemble, so you can get the rest you need and wake up to a delicious and nutritious brekkie.
Try adaptogenic supplements
Adaptogens can help your body adapt to life’s stressors. These herbs aid our bodies in reacting to or recovering from physical or mental stress. Some also offer immunity-boosting benefits to support our overall well-being.
To normalise your cortisol levels in the face of stress, try Moon Juice’s SuperYou Daily Stress Management. It contains a blend of four adaptogenic herbs that work together to address the effects of stress on the mind and body.
You can also try Four Sigmatic’s Adaptogen Coffee Mix. Like the Moon Juice SuperYou, it has ashwagandha, a herb that helps to lower levels of anxiety.
Take intermittent breaks
Burning out from mental and emotional stress can lead to a slew of health problems, from anxiety and depression to insomnia and heart diseases.
For those who are working from home, taking intermittent breaks makes sure you stay sharp and motivated. Carve out time in your schedule to have a proper meal, get up and stretch, read, or phone up a friend.
If you have time during the weekend, taking a nap in the afternoon helps your body recharge too. It could be a 20-minute power nap or a two-hour indulgent one — choose your own adventure.
Know what relaxes you and do more of it
If doing yoga in the mornings or sipping on a hot cup of coffee at your balcony activates your zen mode, then that should be a part of your self-care routine. When you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, take a step back and practise a little self-care.
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