Whether you have kids of your own or a job that's demanding or both, you probably spend a fair amout of your day focusing on the needs of others. When you complete any combo of finally finishing writing that report, polishing off that article, closing that sale, counselling that client, planning that event, cooking or picking up dinner, throwing in the laundry, going to that board meeting, feeding and walking your dog, and putting the kids to bed - you're exhausted.
Maybe stealing away a few minutes for the news, a podcast or a book before you doze off seems all you're able to do. Sure, our culture basks in the 'glorification of busy' but for so many of us it's a reality. Self care is important not only when we're feeling burnt out and exhausted, but on a maintenance level to keep us from ever reaching that point in the first place.
When some people think of self-care, they might think of sitting on a mountain doing meditation or taking a week off to spend at a spa in the middle of the Arizona desert. You might feel it's even as insurmountable as going to the gym, cooking healthy meals, taking a hike outside, meditating and journaling, and doing 108 Moon Salutations before bed.
The good news is that a good, small act of self care can bring calm and mindfulness into your life, reduce your stress, and help you to better take on the next day. Being kind to yourself can help you extend a little extra kindness to everyone else, too. It's like being on an airplane - they always tell you to make sure your oxygen mask is on before helping others. It's because if you're not breathing, you can't help anyone else breathe either. The same applies to our lives on the ground.
A bath can be 15 minutes or take hours, that's the nice thing about baths. Unlike a 1-hour yoga class or a meal that takes hours of prep, at the end of just about any day you can give yourself 15 minutes of soaking in a tub. You can even turn that 15 minutes of soaking into 15 minutes of spa-like pampering, skincare, and aromatherapy with the help of 5 of my favorite Saje products - no matter how busy you are.
Spritz the bathroom, your towels, and robe or pyjamas with this de-stressing scent to help bliss you out every step of your bathing ritual. If you begin to correlate this scent to your bedtime activites, you can use it to help trigger sleep and relaxation.
Toss one of these little discs of loveliness into your tub to add detoxifying sodium bicarbonate and the uplifting, yet soothing scent of marjoram and orange. Carry the message that it leaves behind with you throughout the next day and mentally take yourself back if you find yourself getting stressed.
Turn down the lights and let this candle illuninate the room and bathe you in its warm rays and calming scent. Ban your cell phones and tablets and let your eyes tell your brain it's time for quiet and rest. You can also use a bit of the theraputic, warm soy wax to give yourself a little self-massage. Bliss.
Make tranquil bathtime do double duty as detox time and scoop a cup of these supercleansing bath salts in next time you're running the water. If you need to be accomplishing something to put your mind at ease, this will make you feel accomplished while you're getting relaxed. Sip a warm cup of almond milk with cinnamon to detox from the inside out.
Finish off your pampering by liberally applying this smoothing massage oil before bed to help seal in maximum moisture. Let the heat and steaminess of the bathroom open your pores and wake up with silky-smooth skin. If you're feeling a little on the drier side, mix some of the Cellucleanse bath salts for a gentle, moisturizing scrub.