Taking care of ourselves and managing stress levels is a necessity, especially during a pandemic. Here are some of our favourite products to turn your home into a pamper parlour and practice some serious self-care.
The silver lining of 2020, with all of its stresses and worry, is that it brought self-care to the forefront of our lives. While stress seems to be an inevitable part of life, there are ways in which we can reduce or manage stress to promote a sense of mindfulness and relaxation and in so doing improve our mental and physical health.
Good nutrition, exercise and digital detoxes are just the beginning. Light the good candles, burn the essential oil, nourish your skin and take some time out to focus solely on you.
DIY day spa
Recreate a relaxing spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re in the tub or chilling in your favourite spot, applying a face or sheet mask is a surefire pick-me-up and can be a great way to tackle troublesome skin. Hair masks are double-edged delight – improving the health and vitality of your hair while helping you relax. Add to the at-home spa ambiance with a healthy green smoothie.
Bedtime beauty
Research unswervingly shows that a good night’s sleep (7-8 hours) is essential for your health and wellbeing, with lack of sleep associated with everything from weight gain to cancer to accelerated skin ageing. Sleep provides an opportunity for the body to repair and rejuvenate itself. Many of the major restorative functions in the body such as muscle growth, tissue repair, protein synthesis and growth hormone release occur mostly, or in some cases only, during sleep.
Its not called “beauty sleep” for nothing – skin cells replicate and renew overnight and an overnight face mask can help these cells do this more effectively. While helping ingredients to penetrate more deeply, a sleep-in mask also helps to lock in moisture, acting as both a barrier and a sealant.
Scent therapy
Each of us has around 300 active olfactory receptor genes which can detect thousands of different fragrance molecules. The sense of smell plays an important role in the physiological effects of mood, stress and concentration. A large body of research confirms that essential oils have measurable physiological effects on brainwave activity, blood pressure, pulse rates and mood, further supporting the therapeutic value of aromatherapy.
Crystal healing
Crystals emit steady vibrations that help to create balance within oneself and zen into the spaces around us. This exquisite Stoned Crystals Ashy Diamond, $219, is a Smokey Quartz diamond known to bring balance and harmony into your home.
Or try Skinstitut’s Rose Quartz Face Roller, $39, to boost lymphatic drainage and help improve circulation, reduce puffiness and finelines, and add radiance to skin that’sjust a bit over itself in general.
Stress less
Stress can manifest itself in three ways. It can affect the circulatory system, resulting in sweating, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Stress can also manifest itself in the mind, where your mind races and you can’t seem to slow your thoughts down. Thirdly, there’s stress that manifests itself in the body, resulting in muscle tightness, cramps and aching shoulders and neck.
One effective way to help relieve stress is massage therapy. Massages have the ability to not only reduce stress (which improves your overall health) but also alleviate pain, boost your immune system, flush out toxins, improve circulation, reduce anxiety, promote better sleep and increase productivity. Many of us view massages as a treat or reward, but if we want to get serious about our wellbeing, a massage each and every week will reap many long-term health benefits.
Aromatherapy massage, in particular, using essential oils selected for your exact needs, is thought to enhance the benefits of massage even further. Combining aromatherapy with massage can truly relax your senses – and do wonders in improving physical and emotional wellbeing.
