Hello again, my lovely friends! Self care has been a bit of a hot button topic recently; articles are constantly coming out about the fanciest face masks, every self help book suggests water and self care, and Parks & Rec has a whole day dubbed Treat Yo’self. What exactly does self care mean, though? Is it as simple a formula as buy yourself a bunch of unnecessary items once a year, or a weekly sheet mask? Depending on your day and needs, it’s both a yes and a no.
Self care is different for everyone. While some folks may need to take a day to just sleep, I’ve found the best thing for me is to have a routine. I have a therapist, and having a nightly routine was something she suggested a couple months ago, and while having a nightly routine isn’t something that fixes my depression and anxiety immediately, it does help with one thing: sleep. As this is a specific routine for me, I can’t guarantee it’ll help any of you, but I’d like to share in the off chance that it may help any of you find a similar routine.
I start each night around 8:45, by washing my face with warm water. After patting it dry, I put on a face mask (recently I’ve been favoring this peel off mask from I Dew Care, or any sheet mask). Once that’s on, I draw a bath. I have mostly been doing just a quarter bath, so I can soak my feet, but now that we’re getting closer to cold weather, I have been taking full baths a bit more often. If I’m taking a full bath, I choose a bath bomb, bubble bar, or bath salts. I grab a book, and enjoy whichever type of soak I chose for at least 30 minutes.
If I used a sheet mask, I remove it, gently press the excess essence into my face, neck, and hands. If I’ve used a peel off or exfoliating mask, I peel or wash off my mask, spritz my face with witch hazel, let that sit for a moment, then moisturize. After all of that, I read for about 20 more minutes.
I know that isn’t a ton, but those small actions help me to relax, and they tell my brain that it’s time for sleep. I find that doing this helps me fall asleep easier, all while making me feel a bit fancy. I really enjoy taking time that is exclusively for me, and that is how I see self care. Whether you’re buying yourself chocolate covered strawberries, indulging in a spending spree, or just reading a book in a bath, self care is about what makes you feel good both physically and mentally.
Let me know if you have any nightly routines, or specific self care habits!
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