What is Self-Care?

Self-care is a buzzword you’ll have heard throughout the pandemic. But what actually is it? It’s easy to shrug off the idea of self-care and think of it as a clever marketing technique. In reality, self-care is something we should all be doing. It’s a simple philosophy of taking time out of your day to do something for yourself. We all live busy lives, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. After all, we’ve been living through a pandemic for almost 18 months. You deserve to treat yourself.

I’m looking at what self-care is and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine. It can be something as simple as taking ten minutes in the morning to have a cup of coffee or making a date with yourself to soak in the tub.

What is self-care all about?

The first thing I want you to know is that self-care isn’t about being selfish. It’s a common misconception. Self-care is at the heart of your mental and physical health. Incorporating self-care into your daily routine can help you reduce anxiety and depression while improving your overall wellness.

Did any of us think we would live through a pandemic? Probably not. We’ve all experienced loneliness and anxiety in the last few months. Self-care is more than just a hashtag on Instagram. It’s something we all need. Trust me. You deserve it.

How to incorporate self-care into your daily routine

Self-care includes everything that you do to keep yourself mentally and physically healthy. Yep, even going to the gym is considered self-care. The point of having a self-care routine is to help reduce your anxiety and manage daily stresses. It’s all about taking small steps to make your life a little better. You don’t need to break the bank or even leave your house if you don’t want to.

Here are some easy ways that you can start your self-care routine:

• Create an at-home spa experience with bath salts, bubble baths, and skin care treatments. When you’re feeling stressed, walk away from your computer and focus on nourishing your body with relaxing bath products. Nothing feels better than soaking in a bubble bath. You can even binge-watch Netflix at the same time!

• Book yourself in for a regular massage or facial. While these treatments will help repair and rejuvenate your skin, they’ll also relax your body and mind. We’ve all fallen asleep while having a facial or a massage. You can feel the stress leaving your body. Don’t wait for your birthday or a special occasion to book in for a treatment. 

• One lifestyle that goes hand-in-hand with self-care is called ‘hygge’. It’s the Danish way of living and focuses on creating a warm and cosy atmosphere. It’s about finding joy and contentment in everyday life. Candles are at the heart of the hygge movement as they produce natural light and help relax your body and mind. Who doesn’t love to splurge on a new candle? You can choose one with an essential oil like lavender that helps to improve sleep patterns and reduce stress.

We all deserve self-care in our life. There are over 51 million posts on Instagram on the #selfcare. It’s the perfect place to look for ideas on how to incorporate little moments of joy into your day. And whilst you’re browsing Insta, please make sure to follow us too 😉 @shopboutiqueella