If you want to live an awesome life, you’ve got to take care of yourself first. . Self-care can mean different things to different people and it highlights the importance of self-love.
A few of these practices may seem strange, but this is something you enjoy doing. Additionally, they’re beneficial to your physical and mental health. Whether you’re looking to relax or give yourself an energy boost, these 10 self-care rituals are easy to start and will help your mind, body, AND skin feel refreshed and renewed.
Drink Coffee (or Tea!)
Having a cup of coffee (or tea!) in the morning jumpstarts your metabolism and helps you to start your day with energy and focus. Drink your coffee (or tea!) black and unsweetened to save on calories and keep things light. By starting your day with a hot beverage, you’ll kickstart your metabolism and feel energized throughout your day. Moreover, staying hydrated helps keep blood sugar levels steady—so you won’t be constantly reaching for snacks!
Take selfies, but don't share them on social media
I know. Take selfies, but don't share them on social media? How does that even work? Let me explain, according to a study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, posting on social media often makes people feel worse about their own appearance. We may think posting flattering pictures of ourselves will earn us compliments but, those likes can come at a cost.
I’ll share a secret, I have a selfie stick which I carry everywhere and absolutely love. It makes taking selfies easy and fun, even in strange lighting situations or when I'm alone or with my friends in a restaurant bathroom. But what do I do with these selfies? Nothing! They stay in my phone gallery, not shared or seen by anyone else except me. As silly as it sounds, taking self-portraits is one of my favorite ways to take care of myself every day—I look at them when I need a boost of confidence and when I want to look from other perspectives, which can be enlightening.
Wash your sheets every week
I’m not talking about changing your sheets with every load of laundry, I’m talking about washing them. It may sound odd, but trust me on this one. By throwing in a set of fresh sheets every few weeks you can give yourself a bit of a clean slate every time you climb into bed at night. One other thing: clean sheets, whether you believe it or not, give your skin the best chance to grow because they don't interfere with your basic routine. Sleep well and maintain happy skin, these are two simple victories.
Try crystals for stress relief
You’ve heard of people using crystals to help them sleep, but you might not know that they also come in handy when you’re feeling stressed. Crystals can be used to help alleviate stress and improve your overall well-being. The kind of crystal you use depends on what you’re hoping to achieve. If you want to relax before bed, then try something like Rose Quartz or Blue Calcite. If you’re stressed about work, consider Clear Quartz for its power to focus energy in order to manifest your goals.
Binge on dark chocolate
A little bit of dark chocolate can go a long way toward easing anxiety. One study found that daily dark chocolate consumption improved mood, lowered stress levels, and reduced fatigue in healthy people. Another study showed that women who ate at least five ounces of dark chocolate per week scored lower on measures of depression than women who didn’t consume any.
Doze off into a pillow
This simple self-care routine might sound strange, but it’s actually quite effective. A 2015 study by researchers at Columbia University found that people who listened to soft music before bed had slower wave sleep, which is known to have benefits for memory and learning. To try it yourself, put on headphones with the music of your choice, lie down with a pillow under your head, and close your eyes. Bonus points if you do some deep breathing exercises before drifting off into slumberland.
Have alone time even when you're home alone
One of life’s most simple pleasures is time spent alone. Whether you’re preparing for a big event or just want some quiet time to read a book, getting some me-time every day is critical to feeling fulfilled. Try it—you might like it! And while at it, if you feel the need to get your skin glowing, try EMIRIUM, our platinum face cream with over 23 functions that’ll leave your skin radiant and glowing.
Workout like you mean it. Like no one is watching.
Working out is an excellent way to relieve stress and reduce anxiety, even if it’s just for half an hour. If you live with anxiety, try getting more active on a daily basis – take a walk around your neighborhood after dinner or go to a gym class at lunchtime. Working out can be a great way to keep anxiety from overtaking your day. You’ll feel calmer and more relaxed knowing that you got in some good exercise.
Sing out loud!
Music is something that makes you feel good. Whether it be in a car, shower, or somewhere in between. If you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or depressed there’s nothing better than belting out your favorite tune. Not only will you feel lighter but everyone around you will start to have feelings of joy radiating from them! So if you need an instant mood boost to go ahead and turn up your radio and sing to it! It may seem odd but I promise it works every time!
Grocery shopping
Did you know that a single trip to a grocery store can be a great form of self-care? As easy as it is to get caught up in a good Netflix binge, grocery shopping is an often-overlooked self-care practice. Many of us keep our carts to a minimum—we grab what we need and get out of there. But taking your time while you’re cruising through produce can make a big difference; exploring new options and sampling new (or old favorites) can leave you more satisfied and less likely to reach for something unhealthy on your way home.
Do you have a difficult day? Do you feel like you could use a short break? Indulge in these self-care activities; they'll give you the energy and the motivation you need to do a lot of the items on your to-do list, or, as we like to repeat, they'll make you eager to resume your basic skincare routine for beautiful, healthy skin.