We all deserve to unwind and relax for a bit – but it’s often easier said than done. When you have way too much on your hands, prioritising yourself feels almost like treachery.
But here’s the thing: aiming for productivity and efficiency is great, but taking care of yourself is far greater. You can function better when your physical and mental needs are met, so don’t guilt yourself for it. This weekend, take the time to celebrate your skin with a well-deserved self-care session!
Ahead, we listed some self-care beauty rituals you can do at home. You can even do these while chilling with your favourite book or show!
Read more: How to achieve acne-free skin?
Take a bath.
You might not think of this as self-care, but indulging in a long, relaxing bath works wonders. Having that time to yourself as you hit the pause button can help quiet your mind and ease your body. Adding Epsom salt and essential oils can elevate the bath experience and offer therapeutic benefits. These miscellaneous bath additions can relieve stress and pain, especially after a week-long strenuous work.
A foot soak works just as fine, too!
We got you – not all of us have a full-sized bathtub to soak in. It offers the same benefits as a bath without submerging yourself. Just dissolve half a cup of Epsom salt into warm water, and soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes. This can help relieve stress, boost nerve and muscle function, and ease pain and stiffness. In other cases, it helps give a good night’s sleep, which is also essential for self-care (more on that later!)
Put on a face mask.
Believe it or not, sometimes self-care is as easy as putting on a face mask! Face masks are the best way to moisturise and nourish your skin, thanks to their high concentration of skincare ingredients. They are also the perfect way to end your skincare routine, as they lock in everything you applied beforehand. If your skin looks dry or rough, opt for one with deeply hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. For irritated skin, you can go for those formulated with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera.
Light a candle.
Light up your mood with a scented candle – it’s simple, yes, but it’s very effective for self-care! Scented candles stimulate the part of your brain associated with memory and mood, a.k.a. the limbic system. When your brain processes the aroma of these candles, it can boost your mood, relieve stress, and improve mental clarity. Candles can also stimulate mood-regulating hormones serotonin and dopamine, making you feel lighter and happier.
Move your body mindfully.
Exercise boosts endorphins, also called the “happy hormones”, which can make you feel better. Squeeze in a few minutes of walking or running, or better yet, meditate and do yoga. You don’t have to do intense workouts; moving at your own pace is much better for self-care!
Get some quality snooze time.
It’s not self-care if you’re not sleeping! All these tips are useless if you don’t get at least seven hours of sleep in a day. The amount of sleep you get can affect your brain function, weight, emotions, immunity, and much more. Plus, sleep deprivation makes you more prone to stress and depression.
Read more: Should I be trying the latest skincare trend, skin cycling?