This year has been a rollercoaster for most people. Uncertainty and self-isolation can be emotionally draining, and we need to focus on our wellbeing now, more than ever. This is especially true, as we head into the winter month, a time where people with depression and SAD struggle the most.
I used to always say that the only way I could truly hit the reset button was to go for a massage. Whilst that still holds true to some degree, I’ve had to focus on the little things, to find my sense of calm. Until my massage therapist opens up her books again, here are some ways I’m bringing well-being to the forefront of my day.
The secret: Every day is self-care, not just Sunday evenings ✨🌙
1. Unwind your mind
Lockdown has been difficult for so many reasons. Loss of income, future uncertainty, and loved ones being at risk are all genuine reasons to be frightened. Something I’ve heard recently is people beating themselves up for being in a better position than others.
“I should count myself lucky, at least I have furlough” or “It could be worse, I could be made redundant”.
I’m here to remind you, no matter how you’re feeling, your feelings are valid. Just because someone else is having a hard time, it doesn’t change how the pandemic is affecting your mental health. It doesn’t change the challenges you face.
Being away from your usual work schedule can be difficult. Lack of routine can be demotivating and hard to turn around. This is something I’ve had to deal with being self-employed, and now I find myself talking about ‘building your day’, to friends that have been put on furlough are struggling to tell the days apart.
My favourite way to unwind is to put on fresh bedsheets with a book and light a scented candle. I’m obsessed with these natural candles from St Eval, they look great and smell great with earthy undertones to really ground me.
Treat yourself to at least 30 minutes every day to unwind and relax – uninterrupted.
2. Nourish your body
One of the positives of working from home is that you have more time than you usually would do things you love, like enjoying the extra 30 minutes in bed reading or getting up and making breakfast – when you’d usually be rushing out the door.
This novelty soon gets old, and then next thing you know, you’re hitting the ‘Snooze’ button and rushing to your Skype call with a hairbrush hanging off your head. This can be a slippery slope if you don’t stick to at least a loose routine.
I’m the first person to admit that eating breakfast in the morning is a struggle (I’ve even just written a blog post about it here), but getting up and moving encourages me to want to eat, so I make this a top priority.
I started taking Inessa Advanced Daily Multivitamin with 100mg CoQ1 after learning multivitamins are associated with a boost in energy levels, feelings of well being, as well as a decrease in stress and anxiety. This seems like the lockdown elixir I’d been waiting for.
There’s so much rubbish on the shelves, I wanted to make sure what I was putting in my body was trusted, which is why I chose Inessa. It is one of the most advanced formulas available for daily nutritional support and is manufactured within the UK. All ingredients have been sourced with great care to ensure that they meet our rigorous requirements.
Vitamins shouldn’t ever replace a balanced diet but they certainly complement a healthy lifestyle.
3. Engage your senses
For some people, food gives them happiness. For others, listening to their favourite album brings them joy. Don’t get me wrong, I completely get this, and I love rustling up a yummy dinner with my husband, as we float about the kitchen to music.
That said. Nothing soothes me quite like breathing heavenly scents. If you come to my house, you’ll be greeted by strong incense and scented candles, with bottles of essential oil-infused sprays conveniently placed in each room.
I’m always at a losing battle with my anxiety, but for a brief minute, inhaling ylang ylang or citrus blends distracts me from my racing mind and enables me to breathe deeply. That’s why you’ll always find a little bottle of essential oil in my handbag – up until I was introduced to the de-stress wellbeing ritual aromatherapy balm.
Just apply it to your wrist, neck, or temple, and set your intentions. It’s 100% natural and the best bit, it’s never going to leak in my bag (I’ll also probably get less strange looks than sniffing a small amber bottle of oil).
The de-stress blend is formulated with Chamomile to promotes calmness, uplifting, and relaxing Neroli and Mandarin to help soothe tension and support feelings of well-being. This is balm has become my calming travel companion and my safety net.
Try setting your intentions with a balm and experience its wonders when you need it the most.
4. Pamper your skin
Looking after my skin to combat acne and dodge pre-mature aging has been an obsession since my mid-twenties. Pampering my skin has become a well-being ritual that soothes the soul. Every day, twice a day, I dedicate 10 minutes to cleansing and moisturizing my face, neck, and chest.
I learned that putting products on my skin just because it felt good wasn’t enough. Knowing what you’re putting on your skin, and why it’s good for your skin, is so important.
Anyone that knows me will know that I only usually use natural beauty products unless I find they genuinely offer a value that a natural alternative cannot. Even then, I’ll only use vegan, cruelty-free products that are free from silicones, parabens, micro-plastics, etc – and I’m a stickler for reading ingredient lists. I wrote a post about ethical beauty if you’re interested in learning more.
This month I’ve been trailing Cibdol products to reap the benefits of 100% natural CBD oil made from prime European hemp. Cibdol leverages natural ingredients such as aloe vera and shea butter, and they’re completely transparent about their ingredients which is really important.
Softly whipped cream, formulated with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin A & C, this moisturizer ticks all the boxes for supple, nourished skin. It’s gentle on the skin (for even the most sensitive skin!), and it’s vegan.
This caliber of skincare is genuinely really hard to find. The serum and cream are both silky smooth and the application feels soft and refreshing. I’ve been using the Cibdol beauty range for a couple of months and my skin feels plump and soft ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Each night I get into bed feeling fresh and confident that I’m doing the best for my skin. In the morning, it’s a ritual and a small moment of ‘alone time’, before facing the day.
Never rush your skincare, it’s not just good for your face, it’s good for your mind, too.
How are you looking after your mind, body, and soul during the craziest year of the decade? 🌿