BACK TO BASICS SELF CARE PRACTICES
For the times when life feels completely overwhelming.
Here are some self-care practices that I like to call getting back to basics for those times when life feels completely overwhelming. Your rescue remedy awaits.
- Take an Epsom salt bath with aromatherapy oils.
A nurturing relaxation recipe to soothe the soul & drain away negative energy to leave you feeling refreshed & renewed. Fill a bath & add some Epsom salts, mix in a good 10 drops of rose geranium pure aromatherapy oil & 10 drops of lavender oil. This combination is like magic & will soothe your cares away. If you don’t have a bath you can still benefit from the magic of this aromatherapy blend by putting a few drops of each in the corner of the shower. Let the fragrant steam permeate your senses & visualise all the negative energy washing away as the water cascades down your body.
- Soothing Music
Play calming relaxation music, music that soothes your soul. My favourite is the spa radio channel on Pandora. Music has a powerful healing effect to change the vibrational frequency of your body at a molecular level.
- Light some candles
The calming effect of candlelight can be a simple yet sacred tool to help reduce stress. The gentle glow it creates helps to ease and soothe the mind & soul.
Create a cosy, nurturing atmosphere by lighting a few well-placed candles in your home. Adding a candle here & there will create softness in your room, which will instantly make it feel warm & welcoming, perfect for when you’re feeling overwhelmed. So, if you haven’t already, bring the tranquil & restorative light of candles into your life.
- Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is most efficient when inhaling essential oils from a tissue, diffusing them in a vaporiser, or adding them to your bathwater. The aroma sends a signal, directly through our senses, which in turn influences our emotions. Aromatherapy can help to lift depression, soothe irritable nerves and generally encourage a better state of mind. This is why essential oils have such a powerful effect on our moods and general state of mind. Relaxing oils such as lavender, sweet marjoram, clary sage, sandalwood, frankincense & ylang ylang work by stimulating a neuro-chemical called serotonin that is naturally produced by the body to help relaxation & induce sleep. A dream remedy when feeling completely overwhelmed.
- Chamomile tea
Soothe your nerves with a cup of chamomile tea. Research has shown that chamomile is not only relaxing, but it can significantly decrease anxiety & even fight depression. To read more on this click here.
- Yoga
The next time you are feeling completely overwhelmed try practising a gentle yoga sequence. Yoga is well known for reducing anxiety & stress. The focus on breath within the practice of yoga has been seen to reduce the release of stress hormones & lower cortisol levels. Ease into a gentle session & stretch out any tension in your body to help induce a soothing, calming effect in your body & mind.
- Journal
Find a quiet space & write your heart out. Journaling is a very therapeutic way of releasing pent up energy. Vent & get it all out so there is no need for any negative emotions to stay trapped inside of your body. Once you’re done, simply tear it up, release it & let it be done & over with.
- Gratitude
Write in a gratitude journal all the things you are grateful for, as many as you can. This will help shift your energy from negative to positive & allow for more positive energy to usher into your life.
- Affirmations
Repeat out loud in front of a mirror a releasing affirmation. This is very powerful practice, as you are signifying to the universe that you are ready to be free of this thing, situation or person. Repeat “I am willing to release the need for ……… insert what you need to release here …….”, & watch as whatever it is you need to release begins to leave your life.
Go soothe & nurture your mind, body & soul
