It’s finally happening. 2020 is coming to an end. And oof, what a year.
With the weather growing colder and the days getting shorter (omg so short), people are starting on the holidays: thinking of family and friends, choosing gifts, writing cards, and getting swept away into the end of the year bustle.
While we’re looking forward to this (admittedly unusual) holiday season, now is the perfect time to slow down and consider ways that you might take care of yourself. After all, everyone could use a bit of self-care as we wrap up this roller-coaster of a year.
Actively working to take care of ourselves allows us to give the best care to others. So we’ve put together a list of (pandemic-approved) ideas for engaging in physical, mental, emotional, and social acts of self-care. Go ahead and try at least one of them. It’s never too late to start showing yourself some love. <3
Physical Self-Care
Try an indoor spa session – Going to a spa may be out of the question, but you can recreate the experience at home. Free up an evening and choose a calming bath soak, light a candle (vanilla + sandalwood for a warm + cozy mood, or grapefruit + mint for a refreshing spin on citrus). Put on your favorite audiobook, podcast, or music, then sit back, relax and unwind. If you’re short on time or don't have a tub, try a quicker option like an exfoliating shower scrub. Afterwards, smooth on some body oil to seal in the moisture and your keep your skin glowy and soft. Bam – you’ve given yourself the ultimate spa experience.
Develop a skin-care routine – Colder weather means dryer skin, and mask acne is real (and a real pain). Prioritizing your skincare routine is a good way to combat both! Take the guesswork out of it with Kari Gran’s skincare kit which has everything you need, including specific instructions for morning and evening use. If you're down to mix and match your own personalized set, Herbivore’s all natural and cruelty free line of cleansers, facial oils, and toners is a great place to start. (have q's about any of the apothecary lines? all of us at the store have lots of experience with both collections and can help with selections)
Try a new recipe- It’s important to make sure you’re feeding yourself food that makes you feel good, energized and that you like to eat. Trying out at least one new recipe a week is a surefire way to help with your physical well-being. Whether its trying a plant based diet, or looking for recipes that can relieve pain and digestive issues or battle anxiety and depression, or simply looking for tasty ways to add more vegetables to your diet, trying new foods can be a sweet (and savory) self-care adventure.
Mental and Emotional Self-Care
Start journaling- Getting your thoughts down on paper to release your frustrations, reflect, or make a gratitude list can do wonders for both your mental and emotional health. Add some sassy journals and some cheeky pencils and the experience can be positively therapeutic.
Explore your artistic side – Creativity can be the perfect conduit for emotional health and relaxation. Gather some pencils, markers, or crayons and a blank piece of paper and get going! Do your best not to judge what you make – simply allow yourself to let go and enjoy the process of creating.
Invest in a goal tracking planner – Having a dedicated planner can make you feel more organized in general by helping you prioritize your time and goals. It can also help you better prioritize your self-care by making sure you schedule it in. We particularly love this planner because not only is it a thoughtfully designed tool for tracking your goals, but it also gives you space for weekly and daily reflection which is a great step toward mindful self-care.
Get organized – Sometimes clearing up your surroundings can be just the thing you need to find clarity of mind. Identify the areas of your home that need some extra love, get them organized, hang some artwork, and make your home a haven.
Social Self-Care
Snail Mail – Send greeting or post cards to the people you miss – just because! This is such an easy way to connect with loved ones and to give people a physical representation of how much you care. Pulling one of these charming notecards out of the mailbox (in between the bills lol) is sure to brighten someone’s day. If you’d like to take the personalized touch to the next level, you can paint your own tiny masterpieces with this postcard set.
Family/Friend Zoom Puzzle Night– Liven up your next Zoom chat with a virtual puzzle night! Everyone can either pull a puzzle they have on hand or send a new one their way in a care package :). Work on them simultaneously while catching up other over warm cider, hot chocolate, or perhaps some mulled wine.
Craft a care package – Maybe you know someone who could use a bit of cheering up or that you'd love to reconnect with. A personalized care package can be just as fun to put together as it is to receive. How about pairing some local confections or cocktail accessories with this book that's guaranteed to make 'em smile? Or whipping up your favorite recipes and popping them into Stashers or Bee's Wrap for a socially distanced doorstep drop? Whatever you choose, sending care packages is a perfect way to exercise your creativity and get back in touch with loved ones. (need some help putting together the perfect thing? check out our Gift Helper service!)
Hope this gives you some fun ideas to brighten up the rest of the year <3. The holidays are a time that we often think treating others – don’t forget to treat yourself with some love as well!